Texas Blues has always had my undivided attention for several reasons. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all Roots Music, but it is the Texas Style that gets my foot tapping' and the juices flowing, if you know what I mean. Texas Blues is synonymous with Lightnin' Hopkins. Born in Centerville Texas (near Houston) in 1912, this man was the total package. Great finger style guitar picking and the King of spontaneous story -telling vocals, Sam Hopkins made many more records than his contemporaries, recording between 800 -1000 songs. He honed his skills from another Texas master: Blind Lemon Jefferson. In October of 1960 Hopkins debuted Carnegie Hall, and in 1964 overcame his fear of flying to tour with the American Folk / Blues Festival overseas in London and Germany. Although Sam Hopkins died in 1982 his legend lives on. There is a life size statue of Lightnin' in Crocket, Texas. There is also a documentary made about him in 1967: The Blues According to Lightnin' Hopkins and a current one being produced as we speak entitled; When Lightnin' Strikes.
http://www.wherelightninstrikes.com/ - check it out. Enjoy the videos and the music of a Texas Legend: Lightnin; Hopkins.
http://www.wherelightninstrikes.com/ - check it out. Enjoy the videos and the music of a Texas Legend: Lightnin; Hopkins.
