Mississippi Sheiks
This musical combination flourished between 1930 and 1935, during which time they recorded more than 80 tracks for various ‘race’ labels. The Sheiks was a string band made up of members and friends of the Chatman family, and included Lonnie Chatman (guitar/violin), Sam Chatman (guitar), Walter Vincson (guitar violin), Bo (Carter) Chatman, (guitar) and Charlie McCoy (banjo/mandolin). Vocal chores were handled by everybody. Most of these individuals pursued independent musical careers either at this time or later. The instrumental abilities of all members were extremely high and their repertoire covered all ground between popular waltzes to salacious party songs, with a fair quantity of high-quality blues thrown in. Their work also appeared under the names the Mississippi Mud Steppers, the Down South Boys and the Carter Brothers.