Biography
Lonnie Pitchford was born on October 8, 1955, near Lexington, Mississippi, and raised in a rural, musically rich environment just outside the town[1][2]. From an early age, Pitchford was immersed in the sounds of blues and gospel, building his first one-string diddley bow at age five and quickly mastering it alongside the guitar, piano, double bass, and harmonica[2][3]. His talent was recognized early by folklorist Worth Long, who booked him to perform at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C., when Pitchford was still a teenager—an appearance that brought him national attention and solidified his reputation as a torchbearer of the Delta blues tradition[2][5]. Pitchford’s career was marked by deep respect for the roots of Mississippi blues; he learned directly from Eugene Powell (of the Mississippi Sheiks) and became a protégé of Robert Lockwood Jr., who himself was the stepson of blues legend Robert Johnson[1][2]. Despite his prodigious skill and dynamic live performances, Pitchford’s recorded output was limited, with only one solo album, All Round Man (1994), released during his lifetime[1][3]. He balanced music with carpentry, occasionally touring but never achieving widespread commercial success. Pitchford’s life was cut short by AIDS-related pneumonia on November 8, 1998, at age 43[1][3]. He is remembered as one of the few young African American musicians of his generation to authentically carry forward the Delta and country blues traditions, and his grave near Elmore James in the Newport Baptist Church Cemetery is a pilgrimage site for blues enthusiasts[1][3].
Fun Facts
- Pitchford built his first diddley bow at age five, often making them onstage during performances[2][3].
- His headstone features a functioning diddley bow, maintained by blues pilgrims who replace the string to keep it playable[1][3].
- He was voted one of Living Blues magazine’s 'top 40 under 40' new blues players to watch[3].
- Pitchford briefly played Elmore James’ guitar on a recording session shortly before his death[3].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Robert Lockwood Jr. - Protégé; learned Robert Johnson’s style directly from Lockwood (Live performances, informal mentorship) [1980s–1990s]
- Eugene Powell - Learned Delta blues from Powell, a member of the Mississippi Sheiks (Informal lessons, shared repertoire) [1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Johnny Shines - Performed together at festivals and live shows (Live performances) [1980s]
- Robert Lockwood Jr. - Performed together at festivals and live shows (Live performances) [1980s]
- John Mellencamp - Played slide guitar on Mellencamp’s album (Mr. Happy Go Lucky (1996)) [1996]
Artists Influenced
- Modern blues revivalists - Inspired by his mastery of traditional Delta and country blues, especially the diddley bow (N/A) [1990s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- One String Boogie (Living Country Blues USA, Vol. 10 - Country Boogie)
- That Train Coming Around the Bend (National Downhome Blues Festival, Vol. 1)
- If I Had Possession over Judgement Day - Remastered 2022 (Deep Blues (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Remastered 2022])
- Terraplane Blues - Remastered 2022 (Deep Blues (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Remastered 2022])
- My Babe (The Introduction to Living Country Blues USA)
- Shake Your Moneymaker (Living Country Blues USA, Vol. 10 - Country Boogie)
- Boogie Chillun (Living Country Blues USA, Vol. 7 - Afro-American Blues Roots)
- Johnny Stole An Apple (Living Country Blues USA, Vol. 7 - Afro-American Blues Roots)
- Old Dog Blue - Live (The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute to the Anthology of American Folk Music)
- Why I Sing the Blues - Live 1983 (American Folk Blues Festival - Outtakes & Rarities '70-'83 (Live))
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
lonnie pitchfor has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2025 | 15:14 | My Babefrom into to the living country blues | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Oct 6, 2025 | 14:21 | My Babefrom NATIONAL DOWNHOME BLUES FESTIVAL VOL.1 | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe |