UW Ethnomusicology Archives video recordings: Mark Brady recordings (Preachin' the Blues: Son House), 1977

Edward James "Son" House, Jr. (1902-1988) was a delta blues singer and guitarist from Lyon, Mississippi. During his youth, Son House was hostile toward secular music and served his community as a preacher and later as a church pastor. At the age of 25, he found an appreciation for the blues and began singing and performing slide guitar. His first album, which was released in 1930, was not popular, and neither were his albums for his band Coahoma County. In 1943, Son House gave up music. However, in 1964, his recordings were rediscovered by record collectors, and he rejoined the blues scene following their encouragement. Before his death, Son House recorded several more albums and performed concerts for his new fans.