Johnny Watson

Johnny Watson (April 12, 1867 – November 1, 1963) was an American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, best known for his recordings under the name Daddy Stovepipe. Watson also recorded as Jimmy Watson, Sunny Jim and Rev. Alfred Pitts. He may have been the earliest-born blues performer to record.

Many of his recordings were jug band duets with his wife, Sarah Watson, who was usually credited as Mississippi Sarah.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 12, 1867 (Mobile), Died November 1, 1963 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, harmonica, guitar, composer, lyricist

Notes: Sometimes listed as John Watson on disc labels. Not the same performer as Stovepipe No. 1 (Sam Jones) or Sweet Papa Stovepipe (McKinely Peebles). Husband of Mississippi Sarah.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-85519 10-in. 2/26/1935 Strewin' it out Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female vocal solo, with guitar, harmonica, and jug composer, lyricist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Victor BS-85520 10-in. 2/26/1935 The spasm Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harmonica, and jug instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar, vocalist  
Victor BS-85521 10-in. 2/26/1935 35 depression Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female vocal solo, with jug band composer, lyricist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Victor BS-85522 10-in. 2/26/1935 If you want me baby Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Male vocal solo, with jug band composer, lyricist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Victor BS-071430 10-in. 9/30/1941 Doodle la do da Marilyn Duke ; Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble composer, lyricist  
Brunswick VO171 10-in. 10/21/1931 Jake leg blues Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harp, and jug vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO172 10-in. 10/21/1931 Home brew blues Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harp, and jug vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO173 10-in. 10/21/1931 Jail cell blues Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harp, and jug vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO174 10-in. 10/21/1931 I don’t want you no more Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harp, and jug vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO175 10-in. 10/22/1931 Burleskin’ blues Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Female-male vocal duet, with guitar, harp, and jug vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO176 10-in. 10/22/1931 Greenville strut Daddy Stovepipe ; Mississippi Sarah Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo (scat) vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO177 10-in. 10/22/1931 Read your ABC’s Mississippi Sarah Female vocal solo, with guitar, harmonica, and kazoo instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Brunswick VO178 10-in. 10/22/1931 Do you love him? Mississippi Sarah Female vocal solo, with guitar, harmonica, and kazoo instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Gennett 11861 10-in. 5/10/1924 Sundown blues Daddy Stovepipe Male vocal solo, with guitar and harmonica vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Gennett 11862 10-in. 5/10/1924 Stove Pipe blues Daddy Stovepipe Male vocal solo, with guitar and harmonica vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  
Gennett 11863 10-in. 5/10/1924 Tidewater blues Daddy Stovepipe Male vocal solo, with guitar and harmonica vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Watson, Johnny," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111653.

Watson, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111653.

"Watson, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111653

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