HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Robert Petway

Birth of the Blues: Robert Petway

Robert Petway

Robert Petway may have been born in 1903, probably near Yazoo City, Mississippi, though research exists that would place his birth in Gee's Bend, Alabama, leaving for farm work near Yazoo City, Mississippi, in 1932 where he met fellow blues guitarist, Tommy McClennan who was also a farm laborer [Rewald]. Other accounts have Petway born as early as 1902 or 1903 at other locations in Mississippi. He and McLennan, anyway, worked as musicians at such as roadhouses along the Mississippi Delta during the thirties. In 1939 Petway followed McLennan who had already headed north to Chicago. He there recorded his only 16 sides on March 28 of 1941 and February 20 of 1942 with imitation bass player, Alfred Elkins. American Music (AM) begins its list of issues from the 28th with 'Let Me Be Your Boss' / 'Rockin' Chair Blues' (Bluebird B8726), 'Sleepy Woman Blues' / 'Don't Go Down Baby' (Bluebird B8756), 'Left My Baby Crying' / 'My Little Girl' (Bluebird B8786), et al. The next year he and Elkin put away eight more sides including 'Boogie Woogie Woman' / 'Hollow Log Blues' (Bluebird B8987), 'In the Evening' / 'Bertha Lee Blues' (Bluebird B9008), et al. He is best known for his composition, 'Catfish Blues', gone down in 1941. That was paired with 'My Little Girl' toward Bluebird B8838.

'Catfish Blues' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

First recording of first session

28 March 1941 in Chicago IL Matrix 1059476-1 Bluebird B-8838

Composition: Petway

'Rockin' Chair Blues' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

28 March 1941 in Chicago IL Matrix 059478-1 Bluebird B-8726

Composition: Petway

'My Little Girl' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

28 March 1941 in Chicago IL Matrix 059479-1 Bluebird B-8726

Composition: Petway

'Left My Baby Crying' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

28 March 1941 in Chicago IL Matrix 059481-1 Bluebird B-8786

Composition: Petway

'Bertha Lee Blues' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 074108-1 Bluebird B-9008

Blues artist Bertha Lee Pate was wife to blues artist Charley Patton 1930-34

Composition: Petway

'Boogie Woogie Woman' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 074111-1 Bluebird B-8987

Joined on guitar and vocals by Tommy McClennan

Composition: Petway

'Hollow Log Blues' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 0074112-1 Bluebird B-8987

Composition: Petway

'In the Evening' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 074113-1 Bluebird B-9008

Composition: Petway

'My Baby Left Me' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 074114-1 Bluebird B-9036

Composition: Petway

'Cotton Pickin' Blues' Robert Petway w Alfred Elkins (imitation bass)

20 Feb 1942 in Chicago IL Matrix 074115-1 Bluebird B-9036

Composition: Petway

After his final recordings in February 1942 Petway wafted off into the sunset, not to manifest again. Though nothing is known of him after that, Social Security records have him possibly dying in Chicago on May 30, 1978.

Sources & References for Robert Petway:

Last.fm VF History (notes) Wikipedia

Associates Musical:

Alfred Elkins (imitation bass / upright bass / 1908-?):

All Music (catalog)

DAHR (sessions 1940-57)

Discogs (catalog)

Internet Archive (audio)

Tommy McClennan (guitar / vocals / 1905-1961):

All Music (catalog)

American Music (sessions 1939-42)

DAHR (sessions 1939-42)