Texas Blues Legend's Music is in Space, Finally to be Honored on Earth
Texas blues legend Blind Willie Johnson to be honored at tribute show with proceeds going to fund memorial for him in Beaumont. 65 years after his early death and over 30 years after his music was sent into space, musicians celebrate his life.
Online, May 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - On June 3rd at Momo's in Austin, Texas, a first ever tribute will be held to honor Blind Willie Johnson. The tribute will mark the 65th year since Johnson's death and raise money for a cenotaph to be erected in Blanchette Cemetery in Beaumont, TX where he was buried in 1945.
The founders of the organization that is organizing the tribute, Anna Obek and Shane Ford, of the Blind Willie Johnson Memorial Fund first began researching Mr. Johnson's life in 2007. Their efforts have uncovered the cemetery where Johnson is buried, as well as previously unknown information regarding Mr. Johnson's life and whereabouts. Their research has been compiled onto their website www.blindwilliejohnsonfund.com. They were also instrumental, with the help of the Jefferson County Historical Commission and Museum of the Gulf Coast, in getting a Texas Historical marker approved at Mr. Johnson's last known residence in Beaumont, known as the "House of Prayer." Their love and support of Mr. Johnson's music and Texas blues has pushed their hard work and dedication, but with little support from surrounding arts and music organizations.
"It has been a struggle to garner support for Mr. Johnson's legacy, that is why we have organized this tribute, to get him the memorial he deserves and to support past and future blues and gospel artists" said Ford.
Blind Willie Johnson is considered one of the best slide guitarists of all time. Johnson's "Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground" was included on the Voyager's Golden Record alongside Bach, Mozart, Chuck Berry, the sound of a heartbeat and others to portray the diversity and culture of life on Earth, should any intelligent life form find it. Johnson's life was that of a true blues musician, full of struggles and pain. Blinded as a young child, Johnson made his living by playing on the streets of several Texas cities. Legend has it that Johnson was arrested for nearly starting a riot when singing "If I Had My Way I'd Tear This Building Down" in front of a courthouse in New Orleans. He died in 1945 from malarial fever after sleeping in the ruined of his burned home in the Texas heat in Beaumont.
Ry Cooder described Johnson's "Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground," as "the most soulful, transcendent piece in all American music."
The show on June 3, 2010, in Austin, Texas at Momo's feature artists Kirby Kelley, Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis Band, Jon Dee Graham, Biscuit Rollers with Orange Jefferson and Thierry Cognee, Scott H. Biram, Mark Searcy, Harry Bodine and Ruthie Foster.
Tickets are available at Front Gate tickets for $15 or $18 at the door. There will also be a silent auction of a signed limited edition record from Third Man Records. For more information please contact the Blind Willie Johnson Memorial Fund at donate@blindwilliejohnsonfund.com.