R.I.P. Fred "Good Guitar Playing" Sanders, Jr.

[ChicoHarris]

Memphis bluesman Fred "Good Guitar Playing" Sanders, Jr., has died.

His obituary from today's Commercial Appeal:

After a long and arduous battle against two bouts of lung cancer, Fred "Good Guitar Playing" Sanders, Jr. passed away on January 15th, 2011 at 10:30 a.m., after suffering from a stroke earlier this week. He was 71 years old.

Fred was a true fixture on Beale Street, a Blues icon who had come up through the years playing at some of the area’s most well-known and venerated Blues clubs.

Fred never mentioned his illness, although it was obvious in his last days that it had seriously debilitated him. He acted as if everything was just fine, held his head high and trouped off to Beale Street to play in famous W.C. Handy Park every day despite the ravages of chemotherapy.

Fred was the real article, a true bluesman in every sense of the word. He lived the life, fighting through discouragement and sometimes poverty while always skillfully plying his craft and sharing his knowledge. He had the hard knowledge of the streets and the well-worn lines of time and experience etched into his visage.

Fred was always looking to make a dollar and play you a song. He was entertaining and witty, charming the beer drinking crowds in the park saying, “It’s OK folks, it ain’t against the law to get drunk.“

Fred Sanders was a skilled guitarist, earning himself the moniker, Fred ”Good Guitar-Pickin’” Sanders early in his career. Fred performed with the likes of some of the world’s finest acts and still kept a great attitude when he played with amateurs and young friends who he allowed to share his stage up until he could no longer perform. Fred played up until he literally no longer had the strength to pick up his instruments.

Fred Sanders was destined to receive a brass note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame within the next two weeks. His latest album is scheduled to come out on the I55 Productions label within days as well. He impacted so many people with the gift of his music and his spirit, and it is a rare and special honor to have known Fred Sanders. You are so loved and within our hearts you will remain. Fred Sander’s funeral will be held on Friday, January 21st, at the new Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church located at 4920 Horn Lake Road Memphis, Tennesse 38109.

Burial will take place at New Park Cemetery at 4536 Horn Lake Road.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commer ... =147938799



The story in today's Commercial Appeal:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... d-guitars/

[ChicoHarris]

If you have interest in Memphis music,
Scott Baretta, host of Mississippi public radio's Highway 61 blues show, has a very good column today in the Clarion-Ledger about the story of American Studios of Memphis:
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 1101200309