John Dee Holeman Mojo Hand — DeepCutsArchive

DeepCutsArchive

John Dee Holeman Mojo Hand — DeepCutsArchive

John Dee Holeman (April 4, 1929 – April 30, 2021) was an American Piedmont blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His music includes elements of Texas blues, R&B and African-American string-band music. In his younger days he was also known for his proficiency as a buckdancer. Holeman was born in Hillsborough, North Carolina. on April 4, 1929. He was raised on a farm in Orange County. He learned to play the guitar, and listened to traveling bluesmen from other parts of the South, as well as on the radio. Drawing inspiration from Blind Boy Fuller, he began singing and playing guitar at local parties and other community events by the time he was in his mid-teens. He went on to purchase his first electric guitar during his mid-twenties. Holeman relocated to Durham, North Carolina, in 1954, where he played with the pianist Fris Holloway. The duo became adept at the Juba dance, also known as the hambone or buckdance, which he had earlier learned at country dances. During his working lifetime, Holeman had full-time employment as a construction worker, and music was a part-time pursuit. However, he was able to tour in the United States and overseas in the 1980s, including performances at Carnegie Hall, and abroad on behalf of the United States Information Agency's Arts America program. He played at the 42nd National Folk Festival at Wolf Trap, Virginia, in 1980. He performed yearly at the Black Banjo Festival, in Boone, North Carolina. His first album, Bull City After Dark, was nominated for a W. C. Handy award (a predecessor of the Blues Music Awards). He recorded the album Bull Durham Blues in 1988, which featured Taj Mahal. It was re-released on the Music Maker label in 1999. Also in 1988, the National Endowment for the Arts presented Holeman with a National Heritage Fellowship. Holeman was presented with the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award in 1994. A song Holeman wrote, "Chapel Hill Boogie", was featured on the 2007 Grammy Award–nominated album 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, recorded by Kenny Wayne Shepherd. In 2007, Music Maker issued the album John Dee Holeman & the Waifs Band, on which Holeman was backed by the Waifs, an Australian folk-rock group. He played several shows in 2018 with Cajun/Zydeco musician Mel Melton in Durham. Holeman was married to Joan until his death. He died on April 30, 2021, at the age of 92.

About This Footage

The clip "John Dee Holeman Mojo Hand" is a rare and precious gem that offers a glimpse into the life of an American music treasure, John Dee Holeman. Recorded in 2021, this 2:17 minute footage is a testament to the enduring legacy of this Piedmont blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

What makes this clip so notable is its rarity. As stated in the tags, it's a "Tour" performance, which suggests that it may have been captured during one of Holeman's many tours throughout his career. The fact that it's being shared on YouTube as part of the DeepCutsArchive collection implies that it was previously unseen or underappreciated by a wider audience.

Holeman's music is a unique blend of Texas blues, R&B, and African-American string-band traditions, which sets him apart from other artists of his era. His ability to draw inspiration from Blind Boy Fuller and incorporate elements of the Juba dance into his performances makes this clip all the more fascinating. The fact that he was able to tour internationally in the 1980s, including performances at Carnegie Hall, is a testament to his talent and dedication.

The clip itself may not reveal much about Holeman's performance style or musicality, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the legacy of blues musicians like him. As the world continues to lose its connection to the rich cultural heritage of American music, clips like this one become all the more precious. They offer a glimpse into a bygone era and serve as a reminder of the significance of Holeman's contributions to the blues genre.

One cannot help but be struck by the fact that Holeman was able to balance his full-time employment as a construction worker with his part-time pursuit of music. His ability to tour and perform at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, while also being recognized for his contributions to American music, is a testament to his perseverance and dedication.

The clip's connection to Holeman's life and career is further underscored by the fact that it was recorded in 2021, just a year before his passing. This adds an air of poignancy to the footage, serving as a reminder of the transience of human life and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

In the context of American music history, clips like "John Dee Holeman Mojo Hand" serve as a vital link between past and present. They offer a glimpse into the lives and careers of musicians who helped shape the blues genre, and remind us of the significance of their contributions to our shared cultural heritage. As such, this clip is not only notable for its rarity but also for its importance in preserving the legacy of John Dee Holeman and the Piedmont blues tradition as a whole.

Curated from public records and music databases.