John Jackson performs "Steamboat Whistle"

[@juliehatcher3901]

So glad to see this. I missed the last ceremony they had for him in Virginia in his memory. I miss him greatly every day. He is my grandfather. He is irreplacable and the family has never been the same. There is no one else like him in life, music or family.

[@BLACKYODELNO1]

I met John in the mid-1970s when he and Archie Edwards were playing at an Italian Restaurant on Pennsylvania Ave. SE in Washington DC. They encouraged me to keep singing and John later became a subscriber to my Top-Rail Chatter Magazine during the 1990s until it terminated in 2003. I would often encounter John at Tiffany Tavern Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria during his latter years before he became to too weak to perform and passed away. He was truly and kind and gracious gentleman and genuine performer.

[@ashleywilliams9423]

This is my great grandfather, I miss him so much. We love you Uncle Johnny 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@ponispal]

I met Mr. Jackson when he played at Southern Seminary in Buena Vista, Va. It must have been 1996. He sat with us and talked a while before he performed. A treasured memory, for sure.

[@ashleywilliams9423]

@@ponispal that warms my heart. He always was talker and loved connecting with others

[@ponispal]

@@ashleywilliams9423 I'm so glad you saw my message. Thank you. ❤

[@raynasmr]

Your great grandfather and his two sons playing at the St Mary’s Labor Day picnic is one of my earliest musical memories. This was the 1960s before the picnic got so big. I remember sitting on a blanket front row, center in the cemetery. I didn’t want to pay the games; I just wanted to watch and listen. My father and uncle were both very fond of Mr Jackson. I saw him play at FHS in the 1990s. It was a real treat for my father and for me. ❤❤❤

[@juliehatcher3901]

He is your great grand father? I don't remember you. I am wondering how the family line goes. There is not much of the family near by or left it seems. I am just curious. I miss him greatly as I am sure you do as well. I would love to connect with you about the family as that would make us family too.

[@capcenter77]

I once had the privilege to run sound for him at a Blues Project at Prince George's Community College in the early 90's. What a treat!! A real gentleman. (I know from years of experience that so many old blues musicians can be a bear to work with...and rightfully so as they've been shafted so many times in the past. Many still demand cash only payment before walking on stage.) John was as pleasant and humble as they come. His performance was simply stunning. One I'll never forget.

[@stevemurdock7540]

I don't know how he started, but he finished strong.

[@aaron4wilkins]

Love John Jackson

[@mageanm1354]

I met him after a concert at the University of Arizona, I think in 1998. He was a major talent and a true gentleman.

[@DancingOwl]

A national treasure, piedmont bluesman John Jackson. I only saw him twice, once in Los Angeles and again in San Francisco....in the early 70's. An amazing experience, and to think he was an accidental discovery of folklorist Chuck Perdue who found him playing guitar in the back room of a garage in Virginia when he went to get gas. John was a sexton, a grave-digger who sang and played for his own entertainment....that still blows me away!

[@heartof115]

Thx mr farr

[@bobnpvine]

These days I'm missing the heck out of the Johns who all played the Piedmont style blues: John Hurt, John Jackson and John Cephas... Sno nuff miss them dudes...

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

"Piedmont style" is a misnomer, because ragtime picking was used across the South, e.g. by John Hurt.

[@marktryon5373]

Here's my take on these lyrics: "Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, She blowin' like she never blow'd before, Now I'm goin' where them chilly winds don't blow, I'm goin' where them chilly winds don't blow, I'm goin' where them chilly winds don't blow, Now I'm goin' where the climate suits my clothes, Laid across the river, 'fraid to look back, Laid across the river, 'fraid to look back, Laid across the river, 'fraid to look back, Done got them bloodhounds layin' on my trail, Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, Lord, I hate to hear them Steamboat Whistles Blow, She blowin' like she never blow'd before"

[@bunnyboyblue1]

virginia sperryville im from same place and he was my mentor

[@anaya8529]

hes my great uncle

[@ashleywilliams9423]

@@anaya8529 hes my great uncle also!!

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

AWSOME 💙

[@rodney1238]

wonderfullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[@SlimDavenport]

This stuff is so real

[@empiremonkey]

John Jackson makes me pine for Virginia.

[@greenspark101]

Lyrics: "oh homea chelly windao hoogg (guitar riff) des a croff de ruff de look feeen (guitar riff) lord I hed de wilflow thoooo, he blud the winda flooooo" 😁 I hope this helped

[@courtneyculley7865]

What? How about "Hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow...Going where the chilly winds don't blow, going where the climate suits my clothes" Cross the bridge it look fine? dog garn hound dog on my trail"

[@Broblem12]

a fine performance, but wish I knew the words. Any help anyone??

[@btm240]

lord i hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow x2 she blows like she never blows before im going where the chilly winds dont blow x2 im going where the climate suits my clothes cross that river fraid to look back x2 them doggone bloodhounds on my track repeats 1st verse John was a good friend and I miss him.

[@49bluesman]

open e tuning?

[@dbrnhm]

49bluesman d tuning

[@daverubin8080]

Standard tuning