The Birth of the Blues

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Widely regarded as the "Father of the Blues", this gentleman wrote the first song ever to use the word "blues" in the title, "Memphis Blues". He was? Hudie Ledbetter Scott Joplin W.C. Handy Robert Johnson

2. The first "blues" recording was "Crazy Blues" recorded on August 10, 1920. Who was the performer? Kate Smith Sophie Tucker Louis Armstrong Mamie Smith

3. Bessie Smith's first big hit was "Down Hearted Blues" which topped the charts for four weeks in 1923. This and her subsequent recordings proved so popular that ___________________. she was given a lifetime recording contract. all of these her next ten recordings were all million sellers. she virtually saved Columbia Records from bankruptcy.

4. All these "Blind" singers were seminal blues artists of the 1920's and 1930's except for one. Which one have I inappropriately designated as blind? Blind Willie McTell Blind Bill Broonzy Blind Boy Fuller Blind Blake

5. Robert Johnson is probably the most famous of the old blues men largely due to the massive success of "The Complete Recordings" in 1990. This disc was a compilation of everything Johnson ever recorded including alternate versions of songs. Altogether there were 29 songs and 12 alternate versions for a total of 41 tracks. Which of the following songs was NOT a Johnson original? Crossroads Me And The Devil Blues Hell Hound On My Trail Manish Boy

6. Robert Johnson is considered for classification purposes, a "Delta Blues" performer. Most historians agree that the roots of all blues music would begin here... the Mississippi Delta. All but one of the following artists would be deemed to be a "Delta Bluesman". Tommy Johnson Charley Patton Blind Lemon Jefferson Son House

7. Certain styles of blues and jazz music are essentially interchangeable. They fit both genre's definitions. Billie Holiday is one singer where this case can be made. Perhaps her most famous song was written by a young white man who personally gave it to Holiday to perform. It was a protest song and anti-racist statement pertaining to the lynchings of black folks. It was entitled? God Bless The Child Strange Fruit Billie's Blues Moanin' Low

8. "Piedmont", "Chicago", "Delta" and "Texas" styles of the blues are among the most widely known. There are several other styles. Of the four options given, which is not deemed to be a blues style? Minneapolis Memphis West Coast Louisiana

9. All of these instruments have been traditionally used in blues music except for one? Guitar Piano Harmonica Trumpet

10. Historians of blues music believe that it stems largely from the fusion of three root musical forms. Which of these would not be one of those roots? Griots of West Africa Gospel Music Slave "Hollers" Hillbilly Music