Terry Buckalew
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terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Terry Buckalew
@terrybuckalew.bsky.social
3.4K followers 790 following 4.5K posts
History, music, blues, some Arkansas content.
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terrybuckalew.bsky.social
November 27, 2011.
Scenes from the War on Christmas at Helena, Arkansas.
Large Christmas tree has fallen over. It’s outside. A few buildings and churches visible behind
November 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Got the holiday records ready:
3 copies of “vinyl” soundtrack to “The Last Waltz.” Arlo Guthrie “Alice’s Restaurant” album
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
youtu.be/CHob34QxEXQ?...
Wayne Jackson played trumpet on Willie Nelson’s “Shotgun Willie” Shotgun Willie album cover
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
From the S section:
Jackson plays trumpet on each of these albums.
Albums from Doug Sahm, Sam Samudio, Sam & Dave.
November 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Trumpet great Wayne Jackson (d. 2016) was born November 24, 1941 at West Memphis, Arkansas.
With the Mar-Keys (“Last Night”), Stax Records-Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Aretha, Elvis.
With Andrew Love (sax) as Memphis Horns.
Many sessions.

youtu.be/FFbuzfiZmnU?...
Andrew Love with saxophone & Wayne Jackson with Trumpet. 1960s Memphis Horns album from 1970 The incredible horns of the "Mem-phis Horns" are Andrew Love (tenor sax, alto sax, flute, baritone sax) and Wayne Jackson (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone) who are the leaders, co-producers and writers of many of the tunes of this album. They bring with them the heaviest credentials of all the Memphis horn men. Their horns, added to Booker T. & the MG's, created the Mar-Keys, and they were the featured horns on the Mar-Keys' greatest hit, Last Night. They have been together ever since and have embellished many hits over the years. They were the horns on most of Sam & Dave's Stax recordings as well as on recordings by Carla Thomas and the late Otis Redding. The relationship of Jackson and Love with Otis was symbiotic, and the horn men indicate the depth of that relationship on this album with their performances of two of Otis' favorite songs, / Can't
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
From here:
1993 poster for “8th annual King Biscuit Blues Festival” poster features stylized portrait of black man playing guitar and singing. It’s signed by many performers from that 1993 fest. including James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins. Johnny Copeland, Frank Frost, at least a dozen more
November 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Blues great R.L. Burnside (d. 2005) was born November 23, 1926 in Mississippi.
Detail of his signature on a poster from the 1993 King Biscuit Blues Festival.

youtu.be/K_DOnKJ232M?...
RL Burnside autograph
November 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Records from 1965.
Plus a CD era reissue.

youtu.be/Z_vT9KNjHoA?...
45 single “Short Squashed Texan” by the Pacers plus Pacers CD And “The Big Red Album” featuring Arkansas Razorbacks football novelty songs by the Pacers and others Short Squashed Texan 45 record Other side of 45 is Steer Stomper Back of “The Big Red” album
November 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Record album by Rev. C.L. Franklin “Why Have the Mighty Fallen?” Chess Sermon No. 67 Photos of John F Kennedy & Robert F Kennedy on cover
November 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
One year ago today (Nov. 21, 2024).
Max checking out some Glen Campbell albums.
It’s warmer today, but Max is still in bed.
Small dog on sunlit floor with stack of albums
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Arkansas-born guitar great Robert Lockwood died November 21, 2006.
He learned guitar from Robert Johnson & later recorded with Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson & many others.
Photos:
1. Something he told me in a 1992 interview
2. Albums
3. 1991 at Helena

youtu.be/jt8fmgJs6t8?...
Well, I tell you what I will say. I was the first black entertainer on radio in the South. The first black professional. I had a union card. I was the first. And one other thing . . . I just wish that these people who know a little something about me would cherish it now while I'm living. I really don't want to wait til I'm dead. Just give it to me now, 'cause if you don't give it to me now you don't have to give it to me. Like they done all those people: Sonny Boy, Johnny Shines just died [in April 1992] and the papers loaded up with a lot of stupid shit. Don't do something to me that you wouldn't want me to do to you. That's the bottom line. 3 albums by Robert Lockwood Lockwood’s signature on a 1991 Helena blues fest schedule & a photo of me with Lockwood also from 1991
November 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Archibald Dobbins was one of 7 CSA generals associated with Helena & Phillips County.
Dobbins fled to Brazil after the war.
His cenotaph at Helena’s Maple Hill Cemetery indicates he died in 1867, but the Encyclopedia of Arkansas suggests he died years later.
2005 photo of head stone for Archibald Dobbins, although he’s not buried there. Photo by me.
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
And later I moved to Helena where I worked with Sonny Payne for 10+ years.
interviews and reminisced about his end days in depth. Each of the dozens of musicians I talked to should be thanked individu-ally, along with the other people, like Joe Rice Dockery and Sonny Payne, whose lives are such an important part of the Delta blues story, but there isn't the space. Vicky Stein, my editor, was enthusiastic and in love with the music even before I began writing and was a source of encouragement all the way through. And several musician friends contributed to my understanding of the blues years before I thought of writing this book, including Bill Barth, Ornette Coleman, Leo Smith, Marion Brown, Jim Dickinson, Joe Callicott, and Furry Lewis. Robert Palmer August 1980
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Some musical birthdays for today:
“Dr. John’s Gumbo” album Duane Allman “An Anthology Vol. II” Esquerita “Vintage Voola”
November 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
“The CMA is watching” from Waylon Jennings’ “Ol’ Waylon” album
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Blues historian Robert Palmer died this date in 1997.
This bit from his classic “Deep Blues” changed my life. (I’m serious)
Chicago blues. In fact, to a considerable extent, the Helena style and the music that's now universally recognized as Chicago blues were one and the same. In May 1952, Little Walter recorded a rocking instrumental at the end of a
November 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Palmer playing a recorder and a fife
November 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Little Rock native Robert Palmer (the other one) died this date in 1997.
Musician (w/Insect Trust), music critic for NY Times, educator, producer.
His “Deep Blues” is a classic.
youtu.be/fK1RzQssFcU?...
Copy of Robert Palmer’s “Deep Blues”. I’ve given away several copies , this is my most recent and has been partially eaten by my dog
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
2003 David Horwitz photo of guitarists Buddy Guy (L) and Robert Lockwood.
Guy and Lockwood in suits. Black & white photo
November 20, 2025 at 12:26 AM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
It’s taco Tuesday at the nearby La Huerta restaurant. They have a little drive thru building I patronize frequently.
Only 6 today.
I prefer the soft tacos, but they were $2 each.
6 tacos!
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Al Green dedicated “Take Me to the River” (1974) to Parker. I don’t think they were actually cousins.

youtu.be/9FBUgdhxe9M?...
Horns. 61 Green and Mabon Hodges wrote the song while staying in a rented house at Lake Hamilton, Arkansas, for three days in 1973 in order to come up with new material. 141 According to Mitchell, Green wrote the words and Green and Hodges wrote the tune together. 7 Green dedicated his performance on the record to "...Little Junior Parker, a cousin of mine, he's gone on but we'd like to kinda carry on in his name." [8]
November 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Junior Parker died this date in 1971.
Singer & harmonica player was raised at West Memphis, Arkansas where he worked w/Sonny Boy Williamson & Wowlin’ Wolf.
Parker’s “Mystery Train” was an early hit for Elvis.
His 1961 version of Roosevelt Syke’s “Driving Wheel.”

youtu.be/jwY8q9DbD1s?...
From Sheldon Harris’ “Blues Who’s Who” (aka: Little Junior) PARKER, Tunior little Juntor" Courtesy Living Blues Magazine Born: Mar 27, 1932, Clarksdale (P), MS Died: Nov 18, 1971, Blue Island, IL Inst: Harmonica Father was Herman Parker, Sr; mother was Jeannetta Henry; frequently sang with local gospel quartets as child; frequently worked local streets for tips as child; worked outside music in Clarksdale, MS, as youth; worked w Sonny Boy Williamson (Alex Miller)/Howl-in' Wolf/others in local clubs, West Memphis, AR, area, 1949; toured w Howlin' Wolf Band (eventually assuming leadership) working clubs through Arkansas/Alabama/Mississippi/Missouri into early 50s: worked w BB King's Beale Streeters group in Mem-phis, TN, area, early 50s; formed own Blue Flames group working clubs in Memphis area, c1951-2; rec w Blue Flames, Modem label, Memphis, 1952; rec Sun label, Memphis, 1953; worked in Johnny Ace Revue in Memphis, 1953-4; teamed w Bobby Bland and assumed leadership of Johnny Ace Revue to tour w
November 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
It’s safe* to get back in the woods.
Terry Buckalew @terrybuckalew... • 1mo The number of fatal bear attacks in Arkansas has doubled! 1 O 11 • •• Terry Buckalew @terrybuckalew... • 2mo "Arkansas: You probably won't get killed by a bear." 3 10
November 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
The great Hank Ballard (d. 2003) born Nov. 18, 1927, Detroit.
Lots of hits, also wrote/originally recorded “The Twist.”
Member Rock HoF.
“Sexy Ways,” a hit from 1954:

youtu.be/KMkWkDLEC0g?si…
Record album: Hank Ballard’s GREATEST JUKE BOX HITS The Midnighters WORK WITH ME ANNIE MOONRISE TORE UP OVER YOU ANNIE'S AUNT FANNIE SEXY WAYS HENRY'S GOT FLAT FEET SHE'S THE ONE SWITCHIE WITCHIE TITCHIE IT'S LOVE BABY CRAZY LOVING STAY WITH ME ANNIE HAD A BABY SOUND Back cover: HANK BALLARD and The MIDNIGHTERS Sing Their Greatest Juke Box Hits
November 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
terrybuckalew.bsky.social
Blues musician Hubert Sumlin (d. 2011) born November 16, 1931 at Greenwood, Mississippi.
Raised at Hughes, Arkansas.
Howlin’ Wolf’s longtime guitarist.
*
Clip with Sunnyland Slim, introduced by Sonny Boy Williamson:
youtu.be/5frAMMXes8c?...
Sumlin, Sonny Payne & me in 2007 Me handing Hubert Sumlin the “Sonny” award for blues lifetime achievement. Helena, 2007 Hubert Sumlin & Bob Margolin play guitar at Helrna, Arkansas. 2005 Another shot of Margolin & Sumlin and announcer Gary Sloan
November 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM