HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Casey Bill Weldon

Only certainly known image of Weldon

Casey Bill Weldon was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on 10 December of 1909. Biographical profiles at various internet sites were apparently written before recent discovery that Will Weldon of the Memphis Jug Band (MJB) is not the same as this Weldon who played slide steel guitar across his lap Hawaiian style [Will Weldon of the MJB: Discogs].

DAHR has Weldon composing 'Long-Eared Mule' for the Hill Billies as early as 1926, an instrumental issued on Vocalion 15368 and 5116. He'd have been age fourteen if he authored this tune in 1926. The Hill Billies had been formed in 1924 in a Virginia barbershop and disbanded in 1932 upon the death of Al Hopkins in an auto accident before Weldon began his recording career. Weldon himself later recorded a vocal version of 'Long-Eared Mule' in 1935. This Weldon was also known as Kansas City Bill Weldon, as he performed in Kansas City before heading to Chicago.

'Long-Eared Mule' The Hill Billies

30 April 1926 in NYC Matrices E2948 / E2949 Vocalion 15368 / 5116

Violin: Elvis Alderman / Charlie Bowman Piano: Al Hopkins

Guitar: Joe Hopkins Ukulele: John Hopkins

Composition: C. Williams (Casey Bill Weldon)

Casey Bill first recorded in Chicago on March 25, 1935, with Peetie Wheatstraw (William Bunch) at piano. He also supported Blind Teddy Darby at guitar and vocals on Parts 1 and 2 of 'I'm Gonna Wreck Your Vee Eight' on Vocalion 02953 [American Music].

'The Rising Sun Blues' Casey Bill Weldon backing Peetie Wheatstraw (piano / vocal)

First-known recording to issue

25 March 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix C-921-A Vocalion 03066 / Conqueror 9028

Composition: William Bunch (Peetie Wheatstraw)

'Good Whiskey Blues' Casey Bill Weldon backing Peetie Wheatstraw (piano / vocal)

25 March 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix C-924-A

Vocalion 02978 / ARC 7-05-62 / Conqueror 8875

Composition: William Bunch (Peetie Wheatstraw)

'As the Clock Struck Four' Casey Bill Weldon backed by Peetie Wheatstraw (piano)

25 March 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix C-925-A Vocalion 03198

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is probably Bill Weldon of the MJB, that is, not this Bill Weldon)

'I'm Gonna Wreck Your Vee Eight' ('Vee Eight Blues' - Part I)

Guitar / vocal: Blind Teddy Darby Guitar: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Peetie Wheatstraw

25 March 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix C-931-A Vocalion 02953

Composition: Darby

'I'm Gonna Wreck Your Vee Eight' ('Vee Eight Blues' - Part II)

Guitar / vocal: Blind Teddy Darby Guitar: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Peetie Wheatstraw

25 March 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix C-931-B Vocalion 02953

Composition: Darby

'Somebody Changed the Lock On My Door'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Black Bob Hudson String bass: Bill Settles

31 Oct 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix 96221-1 Bluebird B-6243

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is Charles Church w Spanish guitar to the left of Casey Bill Weldon)

'Long-Eared Mule'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Black Bob Hudson String bass: Bill Settles

31 Oct 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix 96222-1 Bluebird B-6212

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is Charles Church w Spanish guitar to the left of Casey Bill Weldon)

Outdated biographies commonly have Weldon wedding Memphis Minnie, which Jim O’Neal at bluesoterica proffers to more likely be that Will Weldon of MJB as mentioned above. This Weldon did, however, record a few sessions with Minnie in 1935, resulting in such as 'When the Sun Goes Down' (Bluebird B-6187) and 'Hustlin' Woman Blues' (Bluebird B-6202). There has also been speculation that Weldon married Geeshie Wiley. After titles with Minnie, Weldon recorded with the Washboard Rhythm Kings in November 1935.

'When the Sun Goes Down' Memphis Minnie (guitar / vocal)

Guitar: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Black Bob Hudson String bass: Bill Settles

31 Oct 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix 96226-1 Bluebird B-6187

Composition: Leroy Carr

'Arlena' Washboard Rhythm Kings

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Clarinet: Arnett Nelson

Guitar / kazoo: Tampa Red Washboard: Washboard Sam

1 Nov 1935 in Chicago IL Matrix 96226-1 Bluebird B-6157

Composition: C. Williams (Casey Bill Weldon)

'I'm a Stranger in Your Town'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Black Bob Hudson String bass: ?

1 April 1936 in Chicago IL Matrix 100309-1 Bluebird B-6465

Composition: Weldon

'Blues Everywhere I Go'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Piano: Black Bob Hudson String bass: ?

2 April 1936 in Chicago IL Matrix 100323-1 Bluebird B-356

Composition: Weldon Image above: Weldon ?

'Give Me Another Shot'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Clarinet: Arnet Nelson

24 March 1937 in Chicago IL Matrix C-1864-1 Vocalion 03529

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is probably Bill Weldon of the MJB, that is, not this Bill Weldon)

'Sold My Soul to the Devil'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Clarinet: Arnet Nelson

24 March 1937 in Chicago IL Matrix C-1866-2 Vocalion 03561

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is probably Bill Weldon of the MJB, that is, not this Bill Weldon)

'New Round and Round'

Guitar / vocal: Casey Bill Weldon Clarinet: Arnet Nelson

28 Oct 1937 in Chicago IL Matrix C-2050-1 Vocalion 03860

Composition: Weldon

(Image above is probably Bill Weldon of the MJB, that is, not this Bill Weldon)

American Music (AM) follows Weldon to as late as December of 1938 in Chicago to lay out 'I Believe You're Cheatin' On Me', 'Way Down In Louisiana', 'You Gotta Do Your Duty' and 'Midnight Blues'. After a gap of several years AM then has Weldon showing up in Los Angeles as late as 1945 to back pianist, Cecil Gant, on 'Little Baby You're Running Wild' (Gilt Edge 512) and 'Solitude' (Gilt Edge 517).