houston stackhouse

Biography

Houston Stackhouse (born Houston Goff, September 28, 1910, Wesson, Mississippi) was a pivotal figure in the Delta blues tradition, renowned for his guitar work and mentorship rather than commercial success. Raised on the Randall Ford Plantation by James Wade Stackhouse, he only learned the details of his parentage when applying for a passport later in life. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Crystal Springs, Mississippi, where he was inspired by local musicians and records by Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Lonnie Johnson. Stackhouse began performing throughout the Delta in the late 1930s, collaborating with members of the Mississippi Sheiks, Robert Johnson, Charlie McCoy, and Walter Vinson.[1][6][7][8]

Stackhouse's career was deeply intertwined with the region's blues scene. He taught guitar to his distant cousin Robert Nighthawk, who would later back Stackhouse on recordings in the late 1960s as a gesture of gratitude. Stackhouse was also a fan of Tommy Johnson, frequently covering his songs. In 1946, he moved to Helena, Arkansas, joining Nighthawk’s band and performing on KFFA radio. After splitting from Nighthawk, Stackhouse became a regular on the influential 'King Biscuit Time' radio program, working with James "Peck" Curtis, Joe Willie Wilkins, Pinetop Perkins, and Robert Traylor. He continued performing locally into the 1960s, collaborating with Frank Frost, Boyd Gilmore, and Baby Face Turner, and recorded with Sonny Boy Williamson II for Arhoolie Records.[1][2][6]

Stackhouse never relocated to the North like many contemporaries, remaining a fixture in the Delta and Memphis blues scenes. He recorded the album 'Cryin' Won't Help You' in 1972 and toured Europe once in 1976. His legacy endures through his teaching and collaborations, notably influencing future blues musicians. The acoustic stage at the annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival is named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on the region’s musical heritage.[1][6]

Fun Facts

• Stackhouse only learned the details of his parentage when applying for a passport later in life.
• He played multiple instruments as a boy, including harmonica and violin, before focusing on guitar.
• Despite his influence, Stackhouse never achieved significant commercial success and rarely left the Mississippi Delta region.
• The acoustic stage at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival is named in his honor.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Blind Blake - Inspired Stackhouse through early blues recordings he heard as a teenager. (General influence, no direct collaborations.) [1920s-1930s]
• Blind Lemon Jefferson - Early stylistic influence from records played in his youth. (General influence, no direct collaborations.) [1920s-1930s]
• Lonnie Johnson - Influenced Stackhouse's guitar style via records. (General influence, no direct collaborations.) [1920s-1930s]
• Tommy Johnson - Stackhouse was a fan and often covered Johnson's songs. (Covers of Johnson's repertoire in live performances.) [1930s-1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Robert Nighthawk - Distant cousin, student, and frequent collaborator; Stackhouse taught Nighthawk guitar. (Blues Rhythm Boys recordings, KFFA radio, late 1960s sessions.) [1930s-1967]
• Sonny Boy Williamson II - Performed together on 'King Biscuit Time' radio and recorded for Arhoolie Records. (King Biscuit Time (Arhoolie Records, 1965)) [1940s-1965]
• James 'Peck' Curtis - Drummer on 'King Biscuit Time' and Blues Rhythm Boys. (King Biscuit Time radio, Blues Rhythm Boys recordings.) [1940s-1967]
• Joe Willie Wilkins - Guitarist collaborator on 'King Biscuit Time' and Memphis Blues Caravan. (King Biscuit Time radio, Memphis Blues Caravan.) [1940s-1970s]
• Pinetop Perkins - Pianist on 'King Biscuit Time' radio program. (King Biscuit Time radio.) [1940s]
• Frank Frost - Performed locally together in the 1960s. (Live performances in the Delta.) [1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Nighthawk - Stackhouse taught Nighthawk guitar, shaping his style. (Nighthawk's later recordings and performances.) [1930s-1960s]
• Jimmy Rogers - Stackhouse tutored Rogers in guitar techniques. (Rogers' solo and band work.) [1940s]
• Sammy Lawhorn - Received guitar instruction from Stackhouse. (Lawhorn's work with Muddy Waters and others.) [1950s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Cool Drink Of Water (The Devil's Music Vol. 1)
2. Down by the Woodside (The George Mitchell Collection)
3. Big Road Blues (The George Mitchell Collection)
4. Mean Old World (The George Mitchell Collection)
5. Pony Blues (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Vol. 8: Big Road Blues)
6. Pony Blues (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Vol. 8: Big Road Blues)
7. Mean Red Spider (The Devil's Music Vol. 1)
8. Big Road Blues (The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 1)
9. Cool Water Blues (The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 1)
10. Big Fat Mama Blues (The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 1)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia