Willie Brown

July 23, 2010 by DaleR
Filed under: Blues History

It appears that there may have been at least two Delta Bluesmen named Willie Brown. We do know that there was a Willie Brown that was a guitar player and is credited with writing the song ” Mississippi Blues.” The movie “Crossroads” with Ralph Machio describes him as a harmonica player and it is possible that he was.

It is probable that many of the delta gitarists were also harmonica players. These were men who were trying to make a living by playing music. Those of us who are not professional musicians have the luxury of playing pretty much whatever instrument we please and whatever songs we please. If we were playing to make a living, would be much more sensitive to the desires of the people who were paying us.

Though it has been criticized for questionable accuracy, the documentary “Can’t You Hear the Wind Blow” make several good points. Johnny Shines, who reportedly was a friend of Robert Johnson talks about a time when they were playing in Arkansas and lost their guitars in a fire. The Robert Johnson played harmonica at the side of the road to raise money to buy them both guitars. By the way, according to Shines, Johnson played so well that they tied up traffic and the State Patrol was called out to handle the situation. I would take it to the next level and believe that if Johnson had learned harmonica then a lot of other early bluesmen did also.

Willie Brown is best know for his almost violent attack on guitar strings, sometimes playing so vigorously that he actually pulled the strings off of the guitar. He often partnered with Charlie Patton.

He was probably born in 1890 to 1895 and lived somewhere near Robinsonville which is the approximate site of modern day Tunica casino area.H is usual work was as a sideman to other guitarists. Willie Brown and Charlie Patton were early influences on Robert Johnson. They remain his main influences until he came in contact with Son House.

He is buried in a church cemetary in Prichard Mississippi.

I have written this post as though Willie Brown were one man. I believe this to be the case. I am sure that others may differ and they may be right. Others may have access to different research and different ways of thinking about this. I welcome polite discussion.