Biography
Harding "Hop" Wilson (April 27, 1921 – August 27, 1975) was an American Texas blues musician born in Grapeland, Texas, in Houston County.[1][4] Named after President Warren G. Harding, his nickname derived from his pronunciation of "harp" as "hop," reflecting his early mastery of the harmonica.[1] Wilson acquired his first steel guitar between ages 12 and 18 and became known for his powerful singing voice and distinctive slide guitar work.[1] He performed at various Houston clubs as a teenager and worked odd jobs throughout the 1930s and early 1940s before being drafted into the United States Army in 1942, serving until his discharge in 1946.[1]
After returning to Crockett, Wilson pursued a serious career as a blues musician, eventually joining drummer "King" Ivory Lee Semien in the mid-1950s.[1] Together they worked clubs throughout East Texas and Louisiana, recording for Goldband Records in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1957.[1] Their wild, rough-edged style produced regional hits like "Chicken Stuff" and "Rockin' in the Coconut Top," though they never achieved national chart success.[1] Wilson led his own sessions beginning in 1960 with the Ivory record label, recording until 1961, after which he concentrated on playing local Houston clubs and bars.[1] Though virtually unknown outside Houston, he was a local sensation who influenced numerous modern guitarists through his mastery of the eight-string Hawaiian steel guitar, which he helped popularize throughout the South during the 1940s and 1950s.[1]
Wilson continued performing in Houston until August 1975, when he was admitted to a V.A. hospital in a confused state and diagnosed with brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, likely from a stroke.[1] He died on August 27, 1975, from respiratory arrest and was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in Grapeland, less than two miles from his birthplace.[1] Though his recording career was characterized as "slight," his unique slide stylings and innovative approach to the steel guitar left a lasting impact on blues music and influenced numerous musicians across generations.[1]
Fun Facts
- Wilson's nickname "Hop" came from his pronunciation of "harp" as "hop," derived from his early mastery of the harmonica.[1]
- His low-sounding steel guitar playing gave even cheerful songs like "Merry Christmas Darling" a morose, disillusioned feel.[1]
- Wilson was a disabled veteran who preferred sitting down while playing, which influenced his choice to master the lap-steel guitar rather than the standard upright instrument.[2]
- Though his recording output was minimal (only five singles total), his entire recorded output has been reissued primarily on European labels, with much previously unreleased material considered remarkable by blues enthusiasts.[2]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Blind Lemon Jefferson - Musical inspiration and stylistic influence; Wilson absorbed the black Texas blues tradition as sung and played by Jefferson (General blues tradition and slide guitar techniques) [1930s-1940s (formative years)]
- L.C. "Good Rockin" Robinson - Likely inspiration for Wilson's steel guitar approach; Robinson's sister was married to Blind Willie Johnson, connecting to Texas slide guitar heritage (Steel guitar techniques and regional blues style) [1930s-1940s]
Key Collaborators
- Ivory Lee Semien - Drummer and frequent collaborator; worked together in East Texas and Louisiana clubs, often trading lead vocals ("Chicken Stuff," "Rockin' in the Coconut Top," "Ice Water," and other Goldband and Ivory label recordings) [Mid-1950s to early 1960s]
- Lightnin' Hopkins - Wilson backed Hopkins on a Gold Star Records session ("Jail House Blues") [1949]
Artists Influenced
- Sonny Rhodes - Influenced to switch from standard guitar to lap-steel guitar after hearing Wilson play; credited Wilson as his first exposure to blues played on lap-steel (General steel guitar approach and blues style) [1950s onward]
- Jimmie Vaughan - Influenced by Wilson's unique slide stylings on the eight-string Hawaiian steel guitar (Slide guitar techniques) [1960s onward]
- Johnny Winter - Credited Wilson with slide guitar inspiration; covered Wilson's songs on his debut album and later recordings ("Black Cat Bone" (1968 debut LP The Progressive Blues Experiment) and "That Wouldn't Satisfy" (2004)) [1968 onward]
- Ron Wood (The Rolling Stones) - Stated in 1994 that he based the slide riff of "Black Limousine" on Hop Wilson's work; credited Wilson with songwriting inspiration ("Black Limousine" from Tattoo You) [1970s onward]
- Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac founder) - Interviewed in 2007, Green cited Wilson as a favorite blues artist and praised his twin-neck lap steel work ("Black Cat Bone" and the album Texas Steel Guitar Flash) [2000s reflection on earlier influence]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Ghetto Blues | 1993-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Chicken Stuff (Goin' Down to Louisiana)
- My Woman Has a Black Cat Bone (My Woman Has a Black Cat Bone)
- My Woman Has a Black Cat Bone (Take 2) (Houston Ghetto Blues)
- 3 O'clock Blues (Playing for the Man at the Door: Field Recordings from the Collection of Mack Mccormick, 1958–1971)
- Black Cat Bone (The Greatest Blues Duets)
- Chicken Stuff (Koko-Mojo Diner, Vol. 3 - Southern Menu)
- Rockin' In The Coconut Top
- Dance To It (Chicken Stuff #2) (Houston Ghetto Blues)
- Rockin' In The Coconuts (Houston Ghetto Blues)
- I Done Got Over (Houston Ghetto Blues)
External Links
- Spotify
- [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
References
Heard on WWOZ
Hop Wilson has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 15:05 | Merry Christmas Darling (Take 1)from Houston Ghetto Blues | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 22:09 | i'm a stranger | Kitchen Sinkw/ Derrick Freeman |