Jack Kelly & His South Memphis Jug Band

Biography

Jack Kelly was a singer and guitarist who led the South Memphis Jug Band, a popular string band active in the Memphis area during the 1930s and beyond, though little is known about his early life or origins. With his hoarse-voiced delivery, Kelly fronted the group alongside fiddler Will Batts, forming a core partnership that resulted in their first recordings in 1933 for American Records Co., including the hit 'Highway No. 61 Blues,' followed by a final session in 1939 for labels like Banner and Vocalion. The band's music blended country blues with influences from minstrel songs, vaudeville numbers, reels, and rags, making them one of the bluesiest jug bands in Memphis and rivals to the Memphis Jug Band in popularity.

The South Memphis Jug Band's lineup frequently changed, but Kelly remained the constant leader through various incarnations into the mid-1950s, performing live for both Black and white audiences at country clubs, hotels, and picnics. They recorded over 20 songs during the late 1930s, initially under names like Jack Kelly's Jug Busters. Kelly occasionally performed solo or in smaller configurations, as in a 1939 recording without jug or full band, showcasing his guitar and vocals with violin. He died in Memphis in 1960, leaving a legacy as a key figure in Memphis jug band music during a time when the style was fading from commercial favor.

Fun Facts

• Originally recorded as Jack Kelly's Jug Busters in 1933 before adopting the South Memphis Jug Band name, with 'Highway No. 61 Blues' becoming a best-seller.
• Performed frequently for white audiences at country clubs, hotels, and picnics, broadening their appeal beyond typical Black venues.
• In 1939, Kelly recorded without jug or full band, featuring violin with tremolando effects, blurring lines between blues and jug band styles.
• Rivaled the more famous Memphis Jug Band in 1930s popularity and continued playing into the 1950s when jug bands were rare.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Will Batts - fiddler and co-leader (1933 and 1939 recording sessions including 'Highway No. 61 Blues') [1933-1939]
• Dan Sane - guitar picker (Early 1930s recordings) [early 1930s]
• "Doctor" D.M. Higgs - jug player (Early 1930s recordings like 'Red Ripe Tomatoes') [early 1930s]

External Links

• Spotify