Tommy Johnson
Tommy Johnson (1896-November 1,1956) was one of the most influential blues artists in Mississippi in the 1920s and 1930s. He grew up in the Crystal Springs area, where he often performed with his brothers LeDell and Mager. His original songs, which were widely covered by others, included “Canned Heat Blues,” “Big Road Blues,” and “Cool Drink of WaterBlues.” He is buried in the Warm Springs Methodist Church cemetery north of town.
Tommy Johnson was a pioneer in Mississippi blues whose songs and distinctive falsetto moan were adopted by many of his contemporaries and followers. He was born in 1896 on a plantation between Crystal Springs and Terry and was one of eleven children. Johnson learned to play guitar from his older brother LeDell (1892–1972) and as a youngteen ran away to the Delta. He returned two years later an accomplished performer, which, according to LeDell, Johnson attributed to a meeting with a mysterious figure at a crossroads. The story, which involved Johnson handingover his guitar to a large black man who tunedit for him, predates the similar and morefamous tale of the (unrelated) bluesman Robert Johnson (1911-1938) selling his soul to thedevil at the crossroads.
In 1916 Johnson moved back to the Delta with LeDell and their wives, settling on a plantationin Drew. There Johnson renewed his ties with local bluesmen who had influenced him on his earlier visit, notably Charley Patton, Willie Brown, and Dick Bankston. After a year in Drew, Johnson traveled for several years and upon returning to Crystal Springs played music locally with LeDell and their younger brothers Clarence (1904–1945) and Mager (1905–1986). Johnson’s brothers lived relatively settled lives—LeDell became a preacher—but Tommy continued to travel extensively, playing in the Delta with Charley Patton and working regularly at parties and dances in Jackson with Rubin Lacy, Charlie McCoy, Walter Vinson, and Ishmon Bracey. Johnson’s recordings for the Victor and Paramount labels from 1928 to 1930 included “Canned Heat Blues,” “Big Road Blues,” “Maggie Campbell Blues,” “Bye Bye Blues,” “Big Fat Mama Blues,” and “Cool Drink of Water Blues,” which contains the memorable line “I asked for water, and she gave me gasoline.” In addition to his solo performances, he recorded with the New Orleans-based jazz group the Nehi Boys.
Although Johnson did not record after 1930, reportedly due to issues with his rights, he remained a popular performer in Crystal Springs and Jackson, and his influence is evident in the commercial recordings of Kokomo Arnold, the Mississippi Sheiks, Howlin’ Wolf, K. C. Douglas, Floyd Jones, and Robert Nighthawk. Musicologist David Evans, author of two books on the blues tradition associated with Johnson, also documented Johnson’s local influence through field recordings of Babe Stovall, Arzo Youngblood, Mott Willis, Roosevelt Holts, Houston Stackhouse, and Boogie Bill Webb. Johnson’s final performance was at a party in Crystal Springs
The Mississippi Blues Trail markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches. We have a lot to share, and it’s just down the Mississippi Blues Trail.
The Mississippi Blues Trail is an ongoing project of the Mississippi Blues Commission. Funding for this project has been made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, AT&T, and the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University plus additional support from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division.
For more information visit msbluestrail.org.
Mississippi has a long history of political and social conservatism, and the state has consistently voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections since the 1980s. However, the state also has a strong Democratic Party tradition, particularly among African American voters.
During the antebellum period, Copiah County's economy thrived primarily through cotton cultivation and slavery. Large plantations dotted the landscape, and the county became one of the wealthiest in Mississippi. The county seat of Hazlehurst grew in importance, serving as a major hub for trade and commerce. However, the prosperity was built on the exploitation of enslaved people, leading to tensions and, eventually, the Civil War.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Copiah County, as it did throughout the South. Many residents enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the county became a battlefield during Sherman's Meridian Campaign of 1864. The war brought devastation, including widespread destruction of property and loss of life. Reconstruction followed the war, bringing challenges and changes to the county.
In the decades that followed, Copiah County diversified its economy and saw advancements in education and infrastructure. The railroad arrived in the late 1800s, connecting the county to larger markets. The agricultural focus shifted from cotton to a more diversified farming system that included livestock and crops like corn and soybeans. Education also improved, with new schools constructed and the establishment of Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 1915.
Today, Copiah County continues to embrace its history while moving forward. The county is known for its friendly community, southern charm, and natural beauty. Historic landmarks, such as the Hazlehurst Depot and numerous antebellum homes, stand as reminders of the county's past. Copiah County remains an integral part of Mississippi's heritage, preserving its unique culture and contributing to the state's growth.
Copiah County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Copiah County, Mississippi.
- 1815 - Copiah County is established on January 21st, named after a Native American chief.
- 1821 - The county seat is established in Hazlehurst.
- 1850s - The county's economy flourishes due to the success of the cotton industry.
- 1861-1865 - Copiah County participates in the American Civil War; many residents serve in the Confederate Army.
- 1877 - Copiah County suffers from a yellow fever epidemic, resulting in numerous deaths.
- 1944 - The Mississippi Ordnance Plant, a major World War II munitions storage site, is established near Crystal Springs.
- 1964 - The Civil Rights Act leads to desegregation in Copiah County schools.
- 1984 - The Copiah-Lincoln Community College is established, providing higher education opportunities for the residents.
- 1992 - Hurricane Andrew causes significant damage in Copiah County.