|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDAVIS, Rev. Gary(b 30 April 1896, Laurens SC; d 5 May '72, Hammonton NJ) Singer; played guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano. Partly blind as an infant, totally blind by age 26. Taught himself music from age six; worked as street singer, in string band, sang in church, often worked outside music. Baptist minister '33; toured as singing gospel preacher but also played ragtime, sang blues. First records for ARC group '35; later on Stinson, Riverside, Folkways, Bluesville (Prestige), others; made short films '64, '67, '72; TV documentaries '67, '70, film Black Roots '70; many festivals incl. Newport '68 on Vanguard. Published collection of spirituals The Holy Blues '70; Rev. Gary Davis/Blues Guitar by Stefan Grossman '74. Infl. white generation of the '60s incl. Ry Cooder, Donovan, Bob Dylan. Compilation 1935--49 on Yazoo; Children Of Zion and Ragtime Guitar on Kicking Mule; When I Die on Fantasy; others on Biograph, Adelphi. |