The Mississippi Sheiks were one of the most popular and successful string bands of the 1930's. Most of their members were part of the same family, the Chatmans, which included Charley Patton and Peter Chatman as members. They recorded under many different names: Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers; The Chatmon Brothers; The Mississippi Mud Steppers; The Mississippi Blacksnakes, as well as the better known Mississippi Sheiks. The name was adopted from an old film starring Rudolph Valentino called "The Sheiks". Their brother Bo's real name was Armenter, but he recorded under the name Bo Carter throughout his career. The Sheiks themselves were extremely sophisticated compared to similar groups, playing in various keys, utilizing complex chords, etc. They played for both black and white audiences. They played many styles of music, hokum, folk, dance music, waltzes, two-steps, black bottom, and of course country blues.
While playing for a white square dance in Itta Bena, Mississippi, they were discovered by local record dealer Ralph Lembo. Lembo arranged for their first OKeh recording session. In February 1930, the field recording unit of OKeh set up in Shreveport, Louisiana. Polk Brockman was the producer/manager, and was the overseer of the first session. Their biggest hits were "Sitting On Top of the World" and the legendary, "Stop and Listen Blues ..2", the title take from the railroad crossing warning: "Stop-Look-Listen," both written by Vinson and Carter. The majority of the Sheiks' recordings were made by Vinson (somtimes referred to as a cousin) on vocals and guitar, and Lonnie, apparently the only family member, along with Bo, who was capable of reading music.Lonnie Chatmon died in the early 1940's. Walter Vinson was discovered during the first blues revival during the 1960's, made several recordings then died in 1975. Bo Carter too was found in the 1960's, he was extremely poor and blind.
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