Hammie Nixon (January 22, 1908 – August 17, 1984) was an American blues harmonica player.
Born Hammie Davis in Brownsville Tennessee in 1908 and orphaned as a young child but raised by foster parents. He was also known as Hammie Nickerson and began his career as a professional harmonical player in the 1920s, but also played the kazoo, guitar, and jug. He teamed up with mandolin player Yank Rachell and guitarist Sleepy John Estes. With Estes alone, their partnership lasted for over 50 years .
With Hammie blowing a jug as well as a harp, the trio performed as a jug band in Memphis and traveled round the Delta juke joints.Hammie helped to pioneer the use of the harmonica as an accompaniment instrument with a band. Hammie married the elder Estes daughter, Virginia, with whom he had a son named Johnny.
In the 30s they went to Chicago to record, and Hammie picked up some session work there especially on the records of Little Buddy Doyle, Lee Green, Clayton T. Driver, Charlie Pickett and Son Bonds. All three men relocated to Chicago as the record industry picked up and recording opportunities increased as the decade went on.
In the 40s, country Blues was falling from fashion as electric bands took over, and all three friends ended up playing for tips on Memphis street-corners again. In 1962, the Blues revival saw Sleepy John cut an album for Delmark, and Hammie went along to play his part, also appearing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.
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| Hammie & Sleepy John |
(Edited
from Wikipedia, All About Blues Music, Stefan Wirz & Blind Dog Radio)