Watson, Johnny, 1867-1963

found: Harmonicas unlimited, 1986:container (Daddy Stovepipe (Johnny Watson), harmonica, guitar, vocals)

found: Blues who's who, c1979(Watson, Johnny "Jimmy" (aka: Daddy Stovepipe, Rev. Alfred Pitts, Sunny Jim); b. Apr. 12, 1867, Mobile, AL; d. Nov. 1, 1963, Chicago, IL; guitar, harmonica, jug, kazoo)

found: allmusic.com, via www, 24 February 2021(The given name of Daddy Stovepipe was Johnny Watson; among other aliases he worked under during his long life were "Jimmy Watson" and the "Rev. Alfred Pitts." Born in Mobile, Alabama in 1867, Daddy Stovepipe may well have been the earliest-born blues performer to record. Born 12 April 1867, Mobile, AL; died 1 November 1963, Chicago, IL. Established himself as an entertainer with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrels. Worked as an itinerant street musician, around Maxwell Street in Chicago. In 1931 Daddy Stovepipe was recorded by the ARC mobile facility in Chicago for Vocalion's race series. Here he was partnered by Mississippi Sarah, in real life Sarah Watson and "Mrs." Daddy Stovepipe. Settled in Greenville, Mississippi until Sarah's dead. For a time in the 1940s Daddy Stovepipe played in zydeco bands in Louisiana and Texas, and by 1948 he was back up on Maxwell Street. Johnny "Daddy Stovepipe" Watson should not be confused with Cincinnati-based one-man-band Sam Jones, who recorded under the odd name of Stovepipe No. 1. Nor should he be confused with McKinley Peebles, who recorded as Sweet Papa Stovepipe.)

[Do not confuse with the rhythm & blues and rock guitarist: Watson, Johnny "Guitar", 1935-]