Jerry McCain
b. 19 June 1930, Gadsden, Alabama, USA. From a musical family, McCain learned harmonica as a child, and played with local group the Upstarts in the early '50s. He first recorded in Jackson, Mississippi for Lillian McMurry's Trumpet label in 1954 (Wine-O-Wine, Stay Out Of Automobiles, East Of The Sun). A competent singer and fiery harmonica player, McCain next signed to Excello where he recorded a number of songs from 1956-59. After other tracks for Cosimo Mattasa's Rex label and for OKeh, McCain left music in the early '60s. He returned to the studio in 1965, cutting 728 Texas for Stan Lewis's Jewel label. In the '70s and '80s he worked as a private investigator while continuing to make occasional records and perform at blues festivals. The Atlanta Rhythm Section provided the backing for McCain's cover versions of Slim Harpo's hits, while LOVE DESPERADO contained some of his best work including an anti-drug piece, Burn The Crackhouse Down.