About Me
Sam Carr was born on April 17, 1926 in Friar’s Point, Mississippi as Samuel Lee McCollum, one of two children to Robert Lee and Mary Griffin-McCollum. His father was the legendary influential blues guitarist and vocalist Robert Lee McCollum, who recorded under the pseudonyms of Robert Lee McCoy, Peetie’s Boy, and Robert Nighthawk, but Sam didn’t meet him until he was seven years old. His father stayed on the road most of his young life. His mother loved to travel with Robert and decided to leave her young children with friends and family. About a year and half after his birth, Sam’s mother left Sam to the care of the Carr family. Garfield and Moselle Carr adopted him and raised him as their own on their farm near Dundee, Mississippi. Sam was raised in Mexican Ridge just outside of Jefferson. His sister Ludy was raised by his father’s brother Samuel Lee McCollum and his wife Rosie Gun-McCollum. Sam took the last name Carr and is known as Sam Carr until this day. Sam stayed with the Carr’s until he turned 16 years old. Sam left Dundee, Mississippi walking, it is said that he walked 51 miles. He walked from Dundee to Walls, Mississippi almost to Memphis, TN. He met a lady who took him in; she fed, clothed and housed him in exchange for his working her farm. When she paid him, he ran away and caught a bus for West Memphis. When he got off the bus, he met a man standing on the corner. Little did he know, this was his Uncle Samuel Lee McCollum. He put him in touch with his father. His father made Sam earn a position in his band. He would take Sam on gigs with him. Sam would dress up and dance in front of the band and perform during the breaks as well. He worked as a chauffer and doorman. He played the upright bass, guitar, Jew’s harp and drums. He decided he liked drums the best after his group the Jelly Roll Kings could not keep a drummer. Sam Carr played bass in his father's band in the nineteen-forties, he later moved to Saint Louis with Tree Top Slim. Tree Top Slim was a member of his father's band. Frank Frost, was the guitar player and lead singer. They started another band that included Little Willie Foster on harmonica and Sam Carr played upright bass and guitar. On January 5, 1945, he married Doris Godfrey and has been married to her every since. In 1959 Sam and Frost moved back to Mississippi. By now Sam was playing the drums, and the band cut two albums. They had a recording contract with the Chicago-based Earwig label. They called themselves the Jelly Roll Kings. The group consisted of Sam, his wife Doris (vocals), Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Frank Frost, and Big Jack Johnson. Sam played with Frank Frost until he died October 12, 1999. They recorded for Jewel, Blue, Evidence, Earwig, and Hightone Germany Labels from 1974 through 1999. music layout powered by HOT FreeLayouts.com / MyHotComments
