The Jerry Lawson Legacy project explores the history of Jerry Lawson and the legendary Persuasions in chronological order as explained in candid biographical commentary by Jerry and special guest host, Julie Lawson. Before 1969, a’cappella (singing without the use of instrumental accompaniment) was a boring term used to describe barber shop quartets and old-time doo-wop groups. That all changed when Frank Zappa recorded five guys from Brooklyn called, The Persuasions. Together, with lead singer and co-founder Jerry Lawson, The Persuasions made history and influenced a’cappella’s rise to the mainstream. In Episode 2, Jerry Lawson documents his early days in New York and discusses songs from the Persuasions first album. This is an exclusive Blues America feature. This program also features the Blues Break Big #1 with Joe Louis Walker and the Way Way Back Blues with Slim Harpo.

Guy Davis is the son of legendary actors and civil-rights activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Since the release of his first few critically acclaimed albums during the 90’s, Davis has been considered a major blues talent and champion of the traditional roots blues sound; often incorporating banjos, 12-string acoustic guitars and mandolins to his compositions. Guy has continued the important tradition of storytelling and is among a group of artists contributing to the much needed role of folk music in the blues genre that has been lacking since the days of masters like Leadbelly, Josh White and John Hurt. Guy is also a journeyman who has followed in the family business to fulfill his passion for acting on major Hollywood films, television and Broadway. Following the release of his new album, Kokomo Kidd, he was featured on the cover of the Living Blues Magazine.

Johnny Tucker started playing in the local clubs of Fresno during the early 60’s with his family band. Later, he cut his teeth as a drummer for Phillip Walker. This put Johnny on the road and he would later work with Floyd Dixon, Robert Cray, Johnny Otis, Lowell Folson, Johnny Copeland and many more.  In the late 90’s he cut a studio album with James Thomas before launching a solo career with the release of “Why You Lookin’ at Me” some years later. Today he celebrates a long career in Big Jon Atkinson’s vintage 1-track studio to cut the downhome blues project, Seven Day blues released on the High John label.