Frank Stokes
Source: Jonathan Bogart
Frank Stokes was born on 1 January 1877 or 1888 in Shelby County, Tennessee, toward becoming largely known for his duets, first with Dan Sane as the Beale Street Sheiks, and later with fiddler, Will Batts. At age twelve (1900) Stokes was a blacksmith, and would travel 25 miles on his weekends to perform with Sane on the streets of Memphis. Not until 27 years later would he first record with Sane as the Beale Street Sheiks. That was in circa August of 1927, American Music beginning with 'You Shall' (matrix 4771-3) and 'It's a Good Thing' (matrix 4772-1) toward Paramount 12518 with Dan Sane at guitar. The Sheiks did a second version of both titles in circa September on matrices 20043-2 and 20044-2.
'You Shall' Frank Stokes w Dan Sane (guitar) as the Beale Street Sheiks
C Aug 1927 in Memphis Matrix 4771-3 Paramount 12518 A
Composition: Stokes / Sane
'Beale Town Bound' Frank Stokes w Dan Sane (guitar) as the Beale Street Sheiks
C Aug 1927 in Memphis Matrix 4775-2 Paramount 12576
Composition: Stokes / Sane
'Mr. Crump Don't Like It' Frank Stokes w Dan Sane (guitar) as the Beale Street Sheiks
C Sep 1927 in Chicago Matrix 20045-2 Paramount Paramount 12552
Composition: Stokes / Sane
February 1 of 1928 witnessed Stokes' debut solo titles: 'Bedtime Blues' and 'Downtown Blues' (Victor 21272). 'What's the Matter Blues' saw session on the 1st as well, followed by several titles later in August.
'Downtown Blues' Frank Stokes
1 Feb 1928 at the Memphis Auditorium Matrix 41822 Victor 21272
Composition: Stokes
'What's the Matter Blues' Frank Stokes
1 Feb 1928 at the Memphis Auditorium Matrix 41826-1 Victor V-38531
Composition: Stokes
'I Got Mine' Frank Stokes
27 Aug 1928 in Memphis Matrix 45422-2 Victor V-38512
Composition: Stokes
'Stomp That Thing' Frank Stokes
28 Aug 1928 in Memphis Matrix 45426-2 Victor 21738
Composition: Stokes
'How Long' Frank Stokes backed by Dan Sane (guitar)
30 Aug 1928 in Memphis Matrix 45455-1 Victor V-38512
Composition: Stokes
Six more titles with Sane as the Beale Street Sheiks arrived in March of 1929, preceding eight more name titles by Stokes later in September. His last four recordings were made on the 30th: 'I'm Going Away Blues' / 'Old Sometime Blues' (Victor V23341) with Batts on violin, and the solos, 'Frank Stokes' Dream' with 'Memphis Rounders Blues' (Victor V23411).
'Old Sometime Blues' Frank Stokes backed by Will Batts (fiddle)
30 Sep 1929 in Memphis Matrix 56304-2 Victor V-23341
Composition: Stokes
'Memphis Rounders Blues' Frank Stokes
30 Sep 1929 in Memphis Matrix 56306-2 Victor V-23411
Composition: Stokes
Stokes followed his recording career with circuses, medicine shows and juke joints. During the forties he partnered with Bukka White in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He died of stroke in Memphis on September 12, 1955.
Sources & References for Frank Stokes:
VF History (notes)
Audio: Internet Archive
Compositions: Music Brainz Second Hand Songs
Recordings: Catalogs: Discogs (Beale Street Sheiks) Hung Medien RYM
Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (1928-29)
Stefan Wirz (American Music / 1927-29)
Authority Search: VIAF
Classical Main Menu Modern Recording
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