Music Sound

Texas blues is a subgenre of the blues. It has had various style variations but typically has been played with more swing than other blues styles.

Texas blues began to appear in the early 1900s among African Americans who worked in oilfields, ranches and lumber camps. In the 1920s, Blind Lemon Jefferson innovated the style by using jazz-like improvisation and single string accompaniment on a guitar; Jefferson's influence defined the field and inspired later performers, like Lightnin' Hopkins and T-Bone Walker. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many bluesmen moved to cities like Galveston, Houston and Dallas. It was from these cities that a new wave of popular performers appeared, including slide guitarist and gospel singer Blind Willie Johnson and legendary vocalist Big Mama Thornton. Duke Records and Peacock Records were the most important labels of the scene.

In the 1960s, however, the record industry moved north, reducing Texas' importance in the blues scene. The area's importance returned in the 1970s when a Texas blues rock sound developed, led by ZZ Top and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. This set the stage for the revival of the 1980s, which produced Stevie Ray Vaughan and moved Austin to being the blues capital of the state.

Performers

Albert Collins
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Lightnin' Hopkins
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Freddie King
Jimmie Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
T-Bone Walker
Tony Vega Band
Wes Jeans
Johnny Winter
Tracy Conover
ZZ Top