Bill Gaither (blues musician)

William Arthur Gaither (April 21, 1910 – October 30, 1970),^[1] sometimes known as "Little Bill" Gaither or Leroy's Buddy,^[2] was an American blues guitarist and singer.

Biography

Born in Belmont, Bullitt County, Kentucky,^[1] Gaither recorded over one hundred songs in the 1930s for labels such as Decca and Okeh.^[3] He often wrote and recorded with the pianist George "Honey" Hill. After his friend Leroy Carr's death in 1935, Gaither was often credited as "Leroy's Buddy".^[4]

One of Gaither's most famous blues songs was "Champ Joe Louis", recorded on June 23, 1938,^[5] the day after Louis won his rematch against Max Schmeling. The blues scholar Paul Oliver has cited Gaither among a group of important, but understudied, 20th century musicians.^[6] His blues lyrics have been appreciated as poetry.^[7]

Gaither ran a

He is not to be confused with another musician, William Augustus "Bill" Gaither (1927–1985), who recorded with Roy Milton.^[8]

See also

• The Encyclopedia of Louisville, ed. by J. E. Kleber
• The Blues, by H. Elmer, e.g. p. 49

References