Hammie Nixon

While many may not be familiar with the name Hammie Nixon, he is a highly prolific artist with a career that spans well over six decades! However, most of this career has been spent as a sideman to other more famous acts, such as Sleepy John Estes, Hambone Willie Newbern, Son Bonds, Yank Rachell, and many more! 

Nixon was born close to Brownsville, Tennessee sometime between 1907 and 1909. Raised by a white family, they would often buy him harmonicas and kazoos, which he would play extensively, on top of also beginning to play the jug. His first major performances would also come early, with guitarist Sleepy John Estes inviting him to blow harp with him for 50 cents. This would form a partnership that would last until Estes’ death in 1977.

These foundational years would also see Nixon attempting to emulate Estes’ cousin, Noah Lewis. Lewas was able to blow the harp with both his mouth and nose, a skill that Nixon would emulate this, often playing harp with his nose and jug with his mouth. Unfortunately, this technique began to cause his nose to bleed regularly, so he quickly abandoned the form. 

For most of his career, Nixon would regularly hobo with other performers to and from cities – primarily Memphis, Chicago, St. Louis, and other major stops – which is where most of his major partnerships would perform. While he would never record with him, Nixon met Jimmie Rodgers and backed his singing on a runaround trip from Jacskon, TN to Mobile, AL. However, they would get chased out of the city by cops in Montgomery, AL, and eventually headed to Chicago. They would part ways soon after.

Much of the 1920’s and 30’s would continue in this fashion for Nixon. Hoboing to and from several cities, often recording with artists usually on a whim. Things would slow down in the 1940’s, though, primarily due to Sleepy John Estes’ sight beginning to fail. This slowdown would finally lead Nixon to Memphis, where he attained work as a chauffeur for the city. 

The folk revival of the 1960’s would lead to a sudden turn in Nixon’s career, with Sleepy John Estes being rediscovered and asked to record. The two would work together for the next decade, recording albums and going on tours (with several going abroad to Europe and Japan). The partnership would only end in 1977, when Estes died the day he and Nixon were supposed to leave for a European tour. Nixon then thought of retiring from music, but held on with random gigs picked up by friends.

It is only after Estes’ death that Nixon would begin recording solo work. From 1979 onwards, Nixon would work with Dr. David Evans to form a jug band sound that would feature his voice and harmonica playing well. This would be followed up by making several festival and concert appearances, including in The Netherlands and France. This would continue strong until his death in 1984 in Jackson, TN.