Blues on Hammond Street

Josh White, a world-renowned blues musician, was born right here in Greenville and grew up poor like many of us. At only eight year old, Josh led blind musicians to and from gigs for four dollars each, sometimes as far away as Florida and Texas. This exposure to the music industry solidified his love for blues as he started writing songs as early as fourteen years old. By the 1940s he was a national performer, paving the way for other black entertainers.

His music touched me personally because I could relate to the struggles of poverty and oppression like his most popular song, “One Meatball.” White also wrote songs like “Freedom Road” that advocated for civil rights against racism and the Jim Crow Laws.

His lyrics were so truthfully potent that he was classified as a communist. He testified in front of the House of Un-American Activities Committee. In his testimony, White said it was his duty as a folk singer to express the hardships that his people suffer and what they feel. Josh shared his personal hate for Jim Crow laws because not only had he experienced accusations and putdowns, but it had resulted in his father being beaten. Right here in our town, the Greenville police had kicked and battered his father so badly he had to be put in an asylum, where he later died. And for what? They said his father, a minister, had been rude to a white bill collector.

Josh White’s music career later picked up leading him to star in Broadway shows and sell out his US and European tours. To think he actually performed right here on Hammond Street makes him a Greenville legend.

Donation Link for the sculpture:

https://www.cfgreenville.org/giving/donate/ and select "Josh White Project--Arts in Public Places"

Recommended Continual Context:

Walker, Donna. Greenville News Article, “Blues Singer Josh White to be Honored with Statue,” 2015.

Walker, Donna. Greenville News Article, “What Ever Happened to the Statue Honoring Greenville Bluesman Josh White?” 2017.

Harris, Vincent. Greenville Journal Article, “Josh White: Greenville’s Forgotten Blues Great,” 2016.

Horizons Record Store Publicity on “Josh White Day,”

Harvey, Todd. Journal of American Folklore, “Review of Society Blues by Elijah Wald,” 2004.

Society Blues by Elijah Wald, University of Massachusetts Press, (2000).

NPR Podcast on ‘Classic Appalachian Blues’:

“Freedom Road” – Josh White