ABOUT JOHNNY SHINES, BLUES SINGER / GUITARIST
Blues legend Johnny Shines was born as John Ned Shines on April 26, 1915, in Frayser, Memphis, Tennessee. He was taught to play guitar as a child by his mother. As he perfected his craft, he played slide guitar in Memphis jook joints and on the street before moving to Hughes, Arkansas in 1932 where he worked on farms for three years.
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Johnny met Blues pioneer Robert Johnson and began touring the United States and Canada with him in 1935. He continued to perform in the South after Johnson’s 1938 death. In 1941, Johnny moved to Chicago and played bars while working in construction during the day. He recorded with Columbia Records and Chess Records in the 1940s and 1950s, but his recordings were never released.
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In 1952, Johnny sold his music equipment and returned to construction work after recording with J.O.B. Records. He returned to music in 1966 and recorded tracks for “Vol III: Chicago/The Blues/Today!” with Vanguard Records, which became a classic. He later toured with the Chicago All Stars alongside Lee Jackson, Big Walter Horton and Willie Dixon.
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In 1969, Johnny moved to Holt, Alabama and continued performing. He became one of the main influencers behind the creation of the Alabama Blues Project and died in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on April 20, 1992. Shortly after his death, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. A street in Holt, AL where he lived was designated “Johnny Shines Street” in December 2009. His daughter, Carroline Shines Edwards, carries on his legacy as a Blues singer and serves on the Alabama Blues Project Board of Directors.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Johnny Shines Blues Foundation was established to create lasting memories of my father, as well as acknowledge his contributions to the Blues world. Johnny Shines toured on the road with icon Robert Johnson for three years. Music historian and author, Peter Guralnick wrote, “When the definitive history of the blues comes to be written, Johnny Shines will take his place with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, and Elmore James”.
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In 1992, when my father passed away, there was no one except me to continue his legacy. It took over 20 years for me to get the help and support I needed to make this dream come true. In 2009, the street that he lived on in Holt, Alabama for over 40 years was named after him. Annually, we host the Johnny Shines Music Festival to keep his legacy alive and support the next generation of young musicians.
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Carroline Shines Edwards