Shaw was born in Brenham, Texas, United States.^[1] He was taught to play both the harmonica and guitar by his relatives, and based his style on his collaborations with Blind Lemon Jefferson, J. T. Smith and Ramblin' Thomas.^[2] After spending time as an itinerant musician in Texas, in 1934 he relocated to California.^[2] He continued to perform and appeared on radio, before setting up his own club which he operated for many years.^[2] By the 1960s, Shaw had been ordained as a minister in a church in San Diego, California, and found a rediscovery of his own during the blues revival.^[1]

In the 1960s and 1970s, he recorded for the Advent, Blue Goose and Blues Beacon labels. In addition, Shaw appeared at festivals and, in 1972, he toured in Europe.^[1] He recorded "Hey Mr. Nixon" and "Martin Luther King".^[3]

Shaw died during open heart surgery in San Diego, in February 1977, aged 69.^[3]

Biography

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External links