Julius Daniels

Although he only recorded a few tunes, Julius Daniels plays an important role in the history of Piedmont blues. One of the first Black artists to record in the southeast, Daniels inspired future bluesmen with his rich mix of finger-picked blues, sacred and country music.

Recording for the first time, in 1927, Daniels was accompanied by guitarist Bubba Lee Torrence, with whom he shared billing. During his second recording session, Daniels was joined by guitarist Wilbert Andrews.

A native of the small Bamberg County, South Carolina town of Denmark, Daniels lived in Pineville, in Berkeley County, between 1912 and 1930. Relocating to Charlotte in 1930, he lived the rest of his life in the North Carolinian city, working in a variety of jobs including fire fighter.

Daniels' best known song, "99 Year Blues", has been covered by Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Hot Tuna and Johnny Winter. It has been often credited as a possible source for the tune, "Viola Lee Blues", recorded by Cannon's Jug Stompers in the 1920s and the Grateful Dead in 1966. ~ Craig Harris