Chris Bouchillon

Chris Bouchillon single-handedly created the talking blues form when he recorded "Talking Blues" for Columbia Records in Atlanta in 1926 (the actual 78 wasn't released until 1927), and while few recall his name today, the blues variant he started has been used to great effect by myriad performers since, including Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Bouchillon was born Christopher Allen Bouchillon in Oconee, SC, although his exact birth date and year are unknown. He lived most of his life in nearby Greenville, where he was soon working with his brothers Charley and Uris, alongside the...