Ivory Joe Hunter

Ivory Joe Hunter was an African-American musician who achieved success across a variety of musical genres. He was born on October 10, in either 1911 or 1914, and grew up in the tram town neighborhood of Kirbyville. Hunter’s talent was apparent from an early age, and he grew up in a musically accomplished family. His parents died when he was thirteen; he then went to live with relatives in Port Arthur. After graduating high school, Hunter moved to Beaumont, before traveling across the U.S. as a musician. In 1933, Hunter made his first recording for the Library of Congress. Soon afterwards, he began to host a radio show for station KFDM in Beaumont, where he would become program manager.

Hunter later moved to Berkeley, California, and by 1942 he recorded “Blues at Sunrise” on his own label; it was his first commercial success. His label failed and he recorded with other companies, releasing hits like “I Quit my Pretty Mama,” “Guess Who,” and “Waiting in Vain.” In 1949, he signed with MGM Records, where his successful recordings included “I Almost Lost my Mind,” “I Need You So,” and “Since I Met You Baby,” which became an American standard. He reached white and black audiences alike through his music and by television appearances, such as on the Ed Sullivan Show. Hunter became a popular country music artist as well, and moved to Nashville in the 1960s, where he began to make regular appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. His compositions were recorded by other artists, including Elvis Presley. He died in 1974 from lung cancer and was buried in Kirbyville. A 1975 Texas Senate Resolution honored him, stating that Ivory Joe Hunter was a musician “whose achievements were outstanding, and who used his talent to bring pleasure to millions.”