Christopher Allen Bouchillon
Encyclopedia
Christopher Allen Bouchillon (August 21, 1893 – September 18, 1968) was an American
country music
and blues
musician
from South Carolina
, who is often credited with being the originator of the talking blues
musical style.
and died on September 18, 1968 in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida
. Bouchillon married twice. His first marriage was to Susan Moore, with whom he had two sons, Chris Jr (c
June 1920 - December 1920) and Robert Anderson Bouchillon (August 27, 1918 - June 1988). His second marriage was to Ethel Mae Waters (1903 – 1980), daughter of Leverett Waters and Louise Smith Waters.
playing father, John Bouchillon, Chris became a musician. Along with his brothers, Charlie and Uris, he formed the Bouchillon Trio. Chris played the mandolin
and provided vocals, while Charley played fiddle
and Uris played guitar
. Together they recorded six sides, two of which under the name "The Greenville Trio." In 1928 he began recording songs with his second wife, Ethel Waters. He retired from profession music during The Great Depression.
. This unique talking style of singing became known as the talking blues
and inspired artists such as Woody Guthrie
and Bob Dylan
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, who is often credited with being the originator of the talking blues
Talking blues
Talking blues is a form of country music. It is characterized by rhythmic speech or near-speech where the melody is free, but the rhythm is strict....
musical style.
Family
Bouchillon was born on August 21, 1893 to John and Hester Patterson Bouchillon in Oconee County, South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and died on September 18, 1968 in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Bouchillon married twice. His first marriage was to Susan Moore, with whom he had two sons, Chris Jr (c
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
June 1920 - December 1920) and Robert Anderson Bouchillon (August 27, 1918 - June 1988). His second marriage was to Ethel Mae Waters (1903 – 1980), daughter of Leverett Waters and Louise Smith Waters.
Musical achievements
Taking after his banjoBanjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
playing father, John Bouchillon, Chris became a musician. Along with his brothers, Charlie and Uris, he formed the Bouchillon Trio. Chris played the mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
and provided vocals, while Charley played fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
and Uris played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. Together they recorded six sides, two of which under the name "The Greenville Trio." In 1928 he began recording songs with his second wife, Ethel Waters. He retired from profession music during The Great Depression.
Creation of the "Talking Blues"
Bouchillon developed his trademark "talking" way of singing because of his supposedly horrible singing voice. His recording director reportedly loved to listen to him talk however, and recommended he re-record a few songs by talking instead of singing. The resultant record, "Talking Blues" was released in 1927 and became a hitHit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
. This unique talking style of singing became known as the talking blues
Talking blues
Talking blues is a form of country music. It is characterized by rhythmic speech or near-speech where the melody is free, but the rhythm is strict....
and inspired artists such as Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
and Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
.
Discography
- She Doodle Dooed - 7 July 1925, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
- as The Bouchillon Trio - Talking Blues - 4 November 1926, Atlanta, Georgia
- Hannah - 4 November 1926, Atlanta, Georgia
- Waltz Me Around Again Willie - 26 March 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Let It Alone - 26 March 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- You Look Awful Good To Me - 26 March 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- In A City Far Away - 26 March 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- South Carolina Blues - 5 April 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- My Fat Girl- 5 April 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Born In Hard Luck - 5 April 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- The Medicine Show - 5 April 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Chris Visits The Barber Shop - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- A Bull Fight In Mexico - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- A Week End At Sam Stover's - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Hebrew and Home Brew - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Good Night Run - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Sam Stover and the Clergyman - 10 November 1927, Atlanta, Georgia
- Old Blind Heck - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- New Talking Blues - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- I Got Mine - 1, 2 - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- I've Been Married Three Times - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- My Wife's Wedding - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- Oyster Stew - 16 April 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- Adam And Eve - Part 1 - 29 October 1928 - As Mr & Mrs Chris Bouchillon
- Adam And Eve - Part 2 - 29 October 1928 - As Mr & Mrs Chris Bouchillon
- Adam And Eve - Part 3 - 29 October 1928 - As Mr & Mrs Chris Bouchillon
- Adam And Eve - Part 4 - 29 October 1928 - As Mr & Mrs Chris Bouchillon
- Speed Maniac - 30 October 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- Ambitious Father - 30 October 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- Girls of To-day - 30 October 1928, Atlanta, Georgia
- Oh Miss Lizzie - 30 October 1928, Atlanta, Georgia