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Blues Drummer Sam Carr Dies at 83
- Posted on Sep 25th 2009 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
Sam Carr, who was considered by many to be one of the best blues drummers, died Monday of congestive heart failure in a nursing home in Clarksdale, Miss. Carr, 83, had played with blues giants like Sonny Boy Williamson II and Buddy Guy.Raised in the Mississippi Delta, Carr was the son of 1930s blues guitarist and singer Robert McCollum, who recorded as Robert Nighthawk. Carr -- whose father was best known for the song 'Sweet Black Angel' -- played frequently with his dad early in his musical career.
Born Samuel Lee McCollum near Marvel, Ark., Carr was adopted as a toddler by a Mississippi family and lived on a farm near Dundee. He reunited with his estranged father at the age of 16 and worked the door at the clubs where Robert Nighthawk performed.
While he worked initially as a sharecropper, he threw himself into the blues full-time when he moved to St. Louis to play bass with noted harmonica player Tree Top Slim. In the 1960s, Carr returned to his home state of Mississippi and formed the Jelly Roll Kings. His decade-spanning career earned him several awards from Living Blues magazine as well as the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2007.
Services will be held in Clarksdale on Saturday at 11AM in the Century Funeral Home chapel.
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Geni Ward
Sam was recently featured prominently in the series MARTIN SCORSES PRESENTS "The Blues" that aired on PBS and has been released on video. He has won the W.C. Handy Award for best drummer so many times he's lost count.
Carr was a seasoned session player as well, his imaginative drumming adding to recordings by Delta and Mississippi Hill Country artists like Asie Payton, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, T-Model Ford, and Robert "Bilbo" Walker. Carr also performed on Buddy Guy's award-winning Sweet Tea album, which was recorded in Mississippi. As a bandleader, the drummer fronted Sam Carr's Delta Jukes, releasing three albums, the most recent being 2007's Let The Good Times Roll.
If you ever attended any one the four big delta festivals you have seen Sam Carr on stage. He was one of those drummers that is called when you are going into the studio to cut your CD and you need a great blues drummer. Catch Sam on his latest Jelly Roll Kings release out on Mercury Capricorn.
Mike/Ohio
1 reply to Mike/Ohio's comment
You call a guy who plays 4/4 all the time one of the all time best drummers??........ Get serious.
September 26 2009 at 5:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Geni Ward
Sam could play any style of drum; his style of choice was the blues. He lived and loved the life of a bluesman. He could immulte Louie Belson and/or the best of any drummer.
September 26 2009 at 1:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Rev. Ricardo Reyes
1 reply to Rev. Ricardo Reyes's comment
All of the fame in the world can't save your soul for the Bible says "For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul. No man can serve two masters he will either love the one and hate the othger or he will cling to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Only a saving faith and trust in Jesus Christ will bring fulfillment, salvation, and everlasting hapiness.
September 26 2009 at 5:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Geni Ward
While Sam was in the nursing home, he confessed his sins with Christ and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Sam had a God given talent, he obeyed the 10 Commandments and lived the life that he talked about. He was well loved because he was an example of the Lord!
September 26 2009 at 12:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
recorddemon
1 reply to recorddemon's comment
What a loss. Saw him with Buddy Guy way back at the Angry Squire. To the Family,Friends and fellow musicians My Deepest Empathy and Prayers.
Rest Well
A vid of Sam Carr with Dave Riley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TASWadoMe-M
Geni Ward
You obviously know your blues! Dave Riley (a great guitar player) and Sam were bandmates. Dave and Sam were often inseperable. They made beautiful music together!
September 26 2009 at 12:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Patty
My condolences to all of the family. He was a great man.
September 26 2009 at 12:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Bernie520
Y'know, it's kinda funny sometimes. You hear about a fellow who was well know in blues or jazz, and how he often played with this guy or that guy who nobody ever heard of. But *those* guys heard of each other. It's called "being known by your peers." They all know each other's names. And they know you had to be pretty darned good to get to sit in with them. I never heard of Mr. Carr, and I never heard of any of the fellows that were named in this article. But I'm sure...very sure...that among their peers, Mr. Carr and the fellows mentioned were the top of their class. And for that they are indeed owed this tribute. "They had the respect and admiration of their peers." What better remembrance could anyone hope for. Long live your memory, Mr. Carr. You earned it.
Bernie520
Seattle, WA
JSF
1 reply to JSF's comment
I don't listen to blues much and have never heard of this drummer before. What material do you consider his best work?
September 25 2009 at 11:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Geni Ward
Sam Carr played on most Delta records, he played on Geneva Redd's records, the Jellyroll kings, Big Jack Johnson and was often a headliner at the King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas. The festival is coming up next week. They will pay tribute to Sam there.
September 26 2009 at 12:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
vgkflc
Damn now who are we going to get to play the drums.Rest in peace brother.
September 25 2009 at 11:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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