Houston Stackhouse (September 28, 1910 – September 23, 1980) was an America… Read Full Bio ↴Houston Stackhouse (September 28, 1910 – September 23, 1980) was an American Delta blues guitarist and singer. He is best known for his association and work with Robert Nighthawk. Although Stackhouse was not especially noted as a guitarist nor singer, Nighthawk showed gratitude for being taught to play by Stackhouse, by backing him on a number of recordings in the late 1960s. Apart from a tour to Europe, Stackhouse confined his performing around the Mississippi Delta.
Stackhouse was born Houston Goff, in Wesson, Mississippi, and was the son of Garfield Goff. He was raised by James Wade Stackhouse on the Randall Ford Plantation, and Stackhouse only learned the details of his parentage when he applied for a passport in later life.
Relocating in his teenage years with his family to Crystal Springs, Mississippi, he became inspired listening to records by Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson, and by local musicians. By the late 1930s, Stackhouse had played guitar around the Delta states and worked with members of the Mississippi Sheiks, plus Robert Johnson, Charlie McCoy and Walter Vinson. He also teamed up with his distant cousin, Robert Nighthawk, whom he taught how to play guitar. Originally a fan of Tommy Johnson, Stackhouse often covered his songs. In 1946, Stackhouse moved to Helena, Arkansas to live near to Nighthawk, and for a time was a member of Nighthawk’s band, playing on KFFA radio.
He split from Nighthawk in 1947 and alongside the drummer James "Peck" Curtis, appeared on KFFA's "King Biscuit Time" programme, with the guitar player Joe Willie Wilkins plus pianists Pinetop Perkins and Robert Traylor. Sonny Boy Williamson II then rejoined the show, and that combo performed across the Delta, using their radio presence to advertise their concert performances.
Stackhouse tutored both Jimmy Rogers and Sammy Lawhorn on guitar techniques. Between 1948 and 1954, Stackhouse worked during the day at the Chrysler plant in West Helena, Arkansas, and played the blues in his leisure time. He did not move from the South, unlike many of his contemporaries, and continued to perform locally into the 1960s with Frank Frost, Boyd Gilmore and Baby Face Turner. In May 1965, Sonny Boy Williamson II, who was by then back on "King Biscuit Time", utilised Stackhouse when he was recorded in concert by Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records. The recording was issued under Williamson's name, titled King Biscuit Time. Shortly afterwards, Williamson died, but Stackhouse continued briefly on the radio program, back in tandem with Nighthawk.
In 1967, George Mitchell recorded Stackhouse in Dundee, Mississippi. Named the Blues Rhythm Boys, Stackhouse was joined by both Curtis and Nighthawk, although the latter died shortly after the recording was made. Another field researcher, David Evans, recorded Stackhouse in Crystal Springs, but by 1970 following the deaths of both Curtis and Mason, Stackhouse had moved on to Memphis, Tennessee. There he resided with his old friend Joe Willie Wilkins and his wife Carrie. At the height of the blues revival Stackhouse toured with Wilkins, and the Memphis Blues Caravan, and appeared at various music festivals. His lone trip overseas saw Stackhouse play in 1976 in Vienna, Austria.
Earlier in February 1972, Stackhouse recorded an album titled Cryin' Won't Help You. It was released on CD in 1994.
Stackhouse returned to Helena, where he died in September 1980, at the age of 69. A son, Houston Stackhouse Jr., survived him.
The acoustic stage at the annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival is named after Stackhouse.
Stackhouse was born Houston Goff, in Wesson, Mississippi, and was the son of Garfield Goff. He was raised by James Wade Stackhouse on the Randall Ford Plantation, and Stackhouse only learned the details of his parentage when he applied for a passport in later life.
Relocating in his teenage years with his family to Crystal Springs, Mississippi, he became inspired listening to records by Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson, and by local musicians. By the late 1930s, Stackhouse had played guitar around the Delta states and worked with members of the Mississippi Sheiks, plus Robert Johnson, Charlie McCoy and Walter Vinson. He also teamed up with his distant cousin, Robert Nighthawk, whom he taught how to play guitar. Originally a fan of Tommy Johnson, Stackhouse often covered his songs. In 1946, Stackhouse moved to Helena, Arkansas to live near to Nighthawk, and for a time was a member of Nighthawk’s band, playing on KFFA radio.
He split from Nighthawk in 1947 and alongside the drummer James "Peck" Curtis, appeared on KFFA's "King Biscuit Time" programme, with the guitar player Joe Willie Wilkins plus pianists Pinetop Perkins and Robert Traylor. Sonny Boy Williamson II then rejoined the show, and that combo performed across the Delta, using their radio presence to advertise their concert performances.
Stackhouse tutored both Jimmy Rogers and Sammy Lawhorn on guitar techniques. Between 1948 and 1954, Stackhouse worked during the day at the Chrysler plant in West Helena, Arkansas, and played the blues in his leisure time. He did not move from the South, unlike many of his contemporaries, and continued to perform locally into the 1960s with Frank Frost, Boyd Gilmore and Baby Face Turner. In May 1965, Sonny Boy Williamson II, who was by then back on "King Biscuit Time", utilised Stackhouse when he was recorded in concert by Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records. The recording was issued under Williamson's name, titled King Biscuit Time. Shortly afterwards, Williamson died, but Stackhouse continued briefly on the radio program, back in tandem with Nighthawk.
In 1967, George Mitchell recorded Stackhouse in Dundee, Mississippi. Named the Blues Rhythm Boys, Stackhouse was joined by both Curtis and Nighthawk, although the latter died shortly after the recording was made. Another field researcher, David Evans, recorded Stackhouse in Crystal Springs, but by 1970 following the deaths of both Curtis and Mason, Stackhouse had moved on to Memphis, Tennessee. There he resided with his old friend Joe Willie Wilkins and his wife Carrie. At the height of the blues revival Stackhouse toured with Wilkins, and the Memphis Blues Caravan, and appeared at various music festivals. His lone trip overseas saw Stackhouse play in 1976 in Vienna, Austria.
Earlier in February 1972, Stackhouse recorded an album titled Cryin' Won't Help You. It was released on CD in 1994.
Stackhouse returned to Helena, where he died in September 1980, at the age of 69. A son, Houston Stackhouse Jr., survived him.
The acoustic stage at the annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival is named after Stackhouse.
Mean Old World
Houston Stackhouse Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Mean Old World' by these artists:
Allman Duane & Clapton Eric This is a mean old world, try and live it…
Alton & Jimmy Well that mean old dirty Frisco and that low down…
B. B. King & Bobby Blue Bland That mean ole, mean ole Frisco And that long train, the…
Bonnie Raitt & Little Feat This is a mean old world Try livin' by yourself This is…
Chicken Shack This is a mean old world, try livin' by yourself This…
Chickenshack This is a mean old world, try livin' by yourself This…
Chuck Berry Yeah, this is a mean old world, to try to…
Clapton/Allman This is a mean old world, try and live it…
Curtis Amy Sextet Sometimes I get disgusted, yeah My mind goes up and down S…
Eaglin Snooks That mean ole, mean ole Frisco And that long train, the…
Eric Clapton This is a mean old world, try and live it…
Eric Clapton / Derek & the Dominos Well that mean old dirty Frisco and that low down…
Eric Clapton / Otish Rush This is a mean old world, try and live it…
Freddie Slack This is a mean old world, Baby to live in by…
Heavenly Gospel Singers This is a mean This is a mean old world You try…
Les Hite & His Orchestra (With T-Bone Walker) This is a mean old world Baby to live in by…
Little Walter This is a mean old world, tryin' to live in by…
Little Walter & His Jukes This is a mean old world Try livin' by yourself This is…
Little Walters This is a mean old world Try to live it by…
Lou Rawls Sometimes I get disgusted, yeah My mind goes up and down Som…
Nina Hagen Lord this is a mean old world Folks don't care how…
Otis Rush Yes this is a mean old world To try and live…
Otis Rush & Band This city mean old world, try livin' by yourself This city…
Professor Longhair This is a mean old world, try and live it…
Rays Well that record man said son now can you sing…
Reverend Gary Davis This is a mean world you live in 'til you…
Rick Nelson I walk in a crowd, hidin' tears I can't cry…
Robert Palmer (Andy Fraser) Look around, my brother There's a world at yo…
Sam Cooke This is a mean old world to live in all…
Stan Webb This is a mean old world, try livin' by yourself This…
T-Bone Walker This is a mean old world Baby to live in by…
The Smokin' Joe Kubek Band This is a mean old world, just try and live…
The Soul Stirrers This is a mean old world to live in all…
T‐Bone Walker This is a mean old world Baby to live in by…
Van Morrison This is a mean old world Try live in by yourself This…
Walker T-Bone This is a mean old world Baby to live in by…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Houston Stackhouse:
Big Road Blues Cryin', ain't goin' down this Big road by myself A-don't ya …
Cool Drink of Water Old legs born out of the fires Cold winds don't call…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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