Biography
The Georgia Cotton Pickers were a short-lived but influential country blues group active in Atlanta, Georgia, around 1930. The group consisted of three prominent blues musicians: Curley Weaver, Barbecue Bob (Robert Hicks), and Buddy Moss. Each member brought a distinct musical background shaped by the rich blues traditions of rural Georgia. Weaver, born in Covington, Georgia, was taught guitar by his mother and played with Barbecue Bob and Charlie Hicks from a young age. Buddy Moss, originally a harmonica player from Jewell, Georgia, joined the group after moving to Atlanta and busking with local musicians.
The Georgia Cotton Pickers made their recorded debut in 1930 at the Campbell Hotel in Atlanta, capturing the vibrant house party blues scene of the era. Although they only recorded four songs as a group, their collaboration showcased a blend of Piedmont blues and rural country blues styles, marked by intricate guitar interplay and expressive vocals. The group’s brief existence was cut short by the untimely death of Barbecue Bob in 1931, after which the members continued their careers individually, often collaborating with other notable blues artists.
Musically, the Georgia Cotton Pickers were known for their energetic performances and innovative guitar techniques, which helped define the Atlanta blues sound. Their recordings are considered prototypes of blues 'super groups,' and their legacy endures through the continued influence of their members on subsequent generations of blues musicians. The group’s work is recognized as a foundational moment in the development of country blues, particularly in the southeastern United States.
Fun Facts
- The Georgia Cotton Pickers only recorded four songs together, making their output rare but highly prized among blues collectors.
- Buddy Moss taught himself guitar after debuting as a harmonica player with the group.
- Curley Weaver was also known as 'Slim Gordon' and worked as a railroad laborer after his music career.
- Barbecue Bob was discovered by talent scout J. B. Long while playing at a barbecue stand, which inspired his stage name.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Savannah 'Dip' Shepard Weaver - Curley Weaver's mother, taught him, Barbecue Bob, and Charlie Hicks guitar and piano, forming the musical foundation for the group. (Early local performances and musical training) [1910s-1920s]
Key Collaborators
- Curley Weaver - Core member of the Georgia Cotton Pickers; collaborated on all group recordings and frequent duets with Buddy Moss. (Georgia Cotton Pickers (1930), duets throughout 1930s) [1920s-1950s]
- Barbecue Bob (Robert Hicks) - Core member of the Georgia Cotton Pickers; collaborated on all group recordings. (Georgia Cotton Pickers (1930)) [1920s-1931]
- Buddy Moss - Core member of the Georgia Cotton Pickers; made his recorded debut with the group. (Georgia Cotton Pickers (1930), later collaborations with Weaver and others) [1930s-1940s]
- Fred McMullen - Collaborated with Weaver and Moss in the Georgia Browns, a related Atlanta blues group. (Georgia Browns recordings) [1930s]
- Blind Willie McTell - Frequent collaborator with Curley Weaver after the Cotton Pickers era. (Duets and joint performances) [1930s-1950s]
Artists Influenced
- Cora Mae Bryant - Curley Weaver's daughter, directly influenced by her father's musical legacy and the Atlanta blues tradition. (Solo blues recordings) [1950s-2000s]
- Josh White - Buddy Moss recorded alongside Josh White, influencing his approach to blues guitar and vocals. (Collaborative recordings, solo works) [1930s]
- Blind Boy Fuller - Buddy Moss played parties with Blind Boy Fuller after Barbecue Bob's death, contributing to Fuller's development as a blues artist. (Live performances) [1930s]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- Louisiana Bo Bo (Frog Spawn - The Second Batch)
- She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day
- She's Coming Some Cold Rainy Day (Blowin' Up a Storm! (Harmonica Blues Classics 1920s - 1940s))
- She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day (Rough Guide to East Coast Blues)
- She's Coming Back Some Rainy Cold Day (The Essential East Coast Blues)
- I´m On My Way Down Home (The Reverend Is My Man (Blues People 1930 - 1931))
- Diddle - Da - Diddle (The Most Underrated Blues Players Ever!)
- Diddle Da Diddle (Southern Blues - Volume 2)
- Diddle da Diddle
- She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day (1930) (Rough Guide To East Coast Blues)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Georgia Cotton Pickers has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2025 | 09:40 | SNAG ITfrom SHUFFLE YOUR FEET | Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders |