Arbee Stidham
b. 9 February 1917, Devalls Bluff, Arkansas, USA. Following a highly musical childhood, during which he learnt to play harmonica, clarinet and alto saxophone and formed his own band, Arbee Stidham moved to Chicago and met Lester Melrose who signed the young blues singer to RCA-Victor in 1947. His biggest hit, My Heart Belongs to You, was recorded at the first session in September of that year, and Stidham spent the rest of his career trying to emulate its success. After Victor (1947-50), he recorded for Sittin' In With (1951), Checker (1953), Abco (1956) and States (1957) as a vocalist, but took up the guitar in the '50s under the tutelage of Big Bill Broonzy. In 1960-61, Stidham recorded one album for Bluesville (which included a remake of his big hit) and two for Folkways, in which his singing was accompanied by his guitar. He also accompanied Memphis Slim on one of the pianist's Folkways sessions. In 1965 Stidham again recut My Heart Belongs To You for Sam Phillips. In the '70s he saw the release of a single on Blues City and a brace of albums on Mainstream and Folkways.