Carl Rutherford
Carl Rutherford | |
---|---|
Born | War, West Virginia, United States | April 25, 1929
Died | January 28, 2006 California, United States | (aged 76)
Genres | Piedmont blues, country blues, Appalachian music |
Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, dobro, banjo, vocals |
Years active | 1950s–2006 |
Labels | Music Maker |
Carl Rutherford (April 25, 1929 – January 28, 2006)[1] was an American Piedmont blues, country blues, and Appalachian music guitarist, singer and songwriter.[2]
Life and career
Rutherford was born in
At the age of 18, Rutherford went to work for the Olga Coal Company in their coal mines, after paying someone, because of his disability, to pass the physical on his behalf. After a mere two weeks in the job, Rutherford attended a week of funerals after witnessing first hand a catastrophic mining accident. He found it hard to return to his duties, but he determined to help his father pay off the cost of purchasing some land. Once the funds were secured after working another two years at the mine, Rutherford relocated to California.[6] Deeply moved by the hardship he witnessed underground, Rutherford decided to try to preserve the music and style of playing reminiscent of that heard during the 1920s.[3] In July 1950, Rutherford found employment in the logging camps around Redding, California. In addition to his daily work, Rutherford played where he could in the evenings and at weekends to supplement those earnings. In 1975, Rutherford moved from California to Warriormine, West Virginia, by then a well-seasoned musician.[6]
Rutherford played at the
Rutherford's tracks "Long Black Limousine", "Last Handloader", and "Flyin' High, Walkin' Tall," all appeared on the 2005 compilation album, The Last & Lost Survivors.[10] "West Virginia Breakdown" and "Precious Memories" (with Cootie Stark) were included on Treasure Box (2006); while "Blues, Sweet Blues" was on Blues Sweet Blues (2008) and "The Old Rugged Cross" on We Are The Music Makers! (2014).[11]
On May 5, 2002, in Durham, North Carolina, a street festival featured a number of artists from the Music Maker stable, including Rutherford, Cool John Ferguson, John Dee Holeman, Lightnin' Wells, Little Pink Anderson, and Drink Small.[12] Rutherford was also noted in the book Music Makers: Portraits and Songs from the Roots of America (2004). Rutherford also took the opportunity to perform at the Portsmouth Blues Festival in New Hampshire, the National Guitar Festival in North Carolina, and at Ferrum Blues Week in West Virginia.[2]
He later moved back to California to reside with his daughter.[2]
Rutherford died from emphysema on January 28, 2006, at the age of 76.[1] Upon his death, Music Maker arranged, as per Rutherford's wishes, for his body to be donated to the Duke University School of Medicine.[2]
Discography
Year | Title | Record label |
---|---|---|
2001 | Turn Off the Fear | Music Maker |
Track list |
| |
Credits |
Vocals, guitar, dobro – Carl Rutherford |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Remembering Carl Rutherford > Appalachian Voices". Appvoices.org. April 1, 2006. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Carl Rutherford". Musicmaker.org. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b "Carl Rutherford". Wvculture.org. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ISBN 9780813147673. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Coalfield Blues". Wvencyclopedia.org. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ ISBN 9780252068157. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Capturing blues in black and white". Pbs.org. October 16, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ISBN 9781611176223. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Carl Rutherford Sang About The Lives (and deaths) of Coal Miners". Evinyl.net. September 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Music Maker Relief Foundation - The last & lost survivors". Bluesweb.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Illustrated J.W. Warren discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "American Blues-Music Maker Relief Foundation: Gigs". Ibiblio.org. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Turn Off the Fear - Carl Rutherford - Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2019.