Jane Hamilton and the Prime Tyme Band

Jane Hamilton and the Prime Tyme Band represent one of the last bands to be focused on High Water’s label with the ideal of releasing singles on 45 RPM vinyl. However, multiple circumstances led to their recordings not being released as intentended. Thus they wouldn’t have a High Water Release until the 2005 Memphis Blues Bands and Singers album.

The band sees its start with Jane Hamilton, who in the 1970’s was a protégée of the famous blues singer Memphis Ma Rainey. While with Rainey, she would also have the opportunity to perform on multiple shows and with multiple groups, most notably Price Gabe and the Millionares. This would lead her to her eventual guitarist: Levester “Big Lucky” Carter. This early career would also have her recording vocal demos for Stax Music, namely under Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

The band itself woudn’t form until the mid-1980’s, and consisted primarily of younger players all taught by singer and pianist Joe Thomas. Thus, the band was primarily made up of his children and their friends. Carter would occasionally assist on guitar, but this was primarily for the recording of the song he composed for Hamilton. After these recordings, Hamilton would continue performing with the Prime Tyme Band, as well as starring as a guest vocalist for the Fieldstones. This would continue until she moved to North Carolina in 1991, where she has continued to sing gospel in church programs.