Daily Almanac - July 1

[<pkrampert@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Country jug and harmonica player John Lair was born on this day in 1894.
Lair put together the Cumberland Ridge Runners Band in the 1930's and the
group was regularly featured on the "National Barn Dance" radio show.  He
stayed in radion through the early 1960's and promoted Country music on a
regular basis.
For more about the life, career and recordings of John Lair, please visit:
http://www.eharmonica.net/john%20lair.htm

Blues harmonica giant James Cotton was born on this day in 1935.  Cotton
grew up in the South and even made his earliest recordings in Memphis at Sun
Studios, but he really hit it big after moving to Chicago.
For more about the life, career and recordings of James Cotton, please
visit:
http://www.eharmonica.net/james%20cotton.htm

Blues guitar and harmonica player Syl Johnson was born on this day in 1936.
Johnson learned to play the harmonica from his father and has several
musical brothers.  Since the 1940's he's played primarily in Chicago and has
recorded dozens of albums.

Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd was born on this day in 1952.  It was partially
through the Blues Brothers records and movie that a Blues revival was
sparked in the 1980's.  Aykroyd also fronts the House of Blues chain of
nightclubs as well as hosting a syndicated Blues program on the radio.
For more about the life, career and recordings of Dan Aykroyd, please visit:
http://www.eharmonica.net/dan_akroyd.htm

Italian Harmonica player Fabrizio Poggi was born on this day in 1958.  A
long-time fixture on the Italian music scene, Poggi recently hosted an
international harmonica festival, which featured Brendan Power, Donald Black
and other harmonica greats.

Rock guitar and harmonica player Cub Koda died on this day in 2000.  Koda
made his big break with the 1970's group, Brownsville Station.  Their
biggest hit, "Smokin' in the Boy's Room" featured a harmonica solo by Koda.

That's all I have for today.  Have fun and practice.

Peter Krampert, author
The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica
http://www.eharmonica.net