S2:E5 // That Bad Man

Celebrating Black History Month! Featured in this Episode: Traditional - "Stagger Lee" (:42) Memphis Minnie (15:45) Lightnin' Hopkins (29:21) Taj Mahal (48:55) Teaser: This notorious murder story has been covered in more genres, by more artists and across more multi-media platforms than any other in history, while somehow remaining relatively obscure. She's known as the queen of the country blues, and queen of the Chicago blues, though she got her start while homeless and playing on the streets full time in Memphis. One of the last links that remained of the original country blues past the folk and blues revival, this Texas bluesman's personal life was shrouded in mystery during both pinnacles in his near 60-year career. Born of Caribbean descent, he would go on to be a liaison between cultures and sounds from all over the world, wrapping it all into a tight package that makes the blues feel like an altogether human experience. — Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast "Shine A Light" | Blues Foundation Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution Jack Browning - Writer Ryan Eastridge - Writer Source Credits: Stagger Lee: Missouri Life | StaggerLee.com | American Blues Scene | StLouis-mo.gov Memphis Minnie: Black Past | Musicians Guide | 64 Parishes Lightnin' Hopkins: Black Past | | Texas Monthly | Udiscovermusic | THSA.org Taj Mahal: Berklee Interview | Harlem World Magazine | Hawaii Public Radio | New York Times

NOW PLAYING

0:00 1:09:28

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

After OpenAI (Vandal Live at Wake Forest Humanities Institute)

May 12, 2026 ·82m

Muskism with Quinn Slobodian & Ben Tarnoff

Apr 6, 2026 ·77m

The Secret History of Canvas LMS, Corporate Raiders, & The Chatbot Bubble (Vandal Live at UVU)

Mar 24, 2026 ·112m

Close Reading Is Not A Luxury (Vandal Live at Emory)

Mar 17, 2026 ·107m

RAGA Texas Attorney General Debate Reaction | Texas AG GOP Primary + Border, Crime, AI Fraud

Feb 18, 2026 ·146m

Epstein Files: What the Newly Released DOJ Documents Actually Reveal (and What They Don’t) | LIVE

Feb 17, 2026 ·107m

Similar Podcasts

Powering the Middle TJ Wilde The podcast that celebrates the backbone of America, our middle class and small businesses. We dive into the challenges that harm consumers. Threaten businesses and undermine our economy. How do we blend timeless values and traditions with modern technology to secure a brighter future? Come explore how middle class values and small businesses can keep driving the economy, creating jobs, and offering the American dream SPADE: The Podcast Paul Anthony Henderson Jr SPADE: The Podcast stands as a beacon of hope and understanding, addressing critical mental health challenges within the African American community. SPADE (Suicide, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Epilepsy) seeks to shine a light on topics often stigmatized and misunderstood. Our mission is to break the silence surrounding these issues, encouraging open dialogue and fostering a culture of support and education. By providing meaningful resources and sharing powerful stories, we aim to empower individuals to confront these challenges head-on and build pathways toward healing. Mental health is a crucial but often overlooked subject in the African American community. It’s time to dismantle the barriers of shame and stigma, ensuring everyone feels safe to speak their truth and seek the help they need. This podcast is more than just a platform—it’s a movement to spark change, spread awareness, and inspire action within families, friendships, and communities. Generally American (A Journey in American English) Christopher M. Chandler, Kris Schauer Hello, Hola, Guten Tag, Bonjour, こんにちは !Welcome everyone, this is a podcast for those wanting to learn about U.S. culture through Standard American English, also known as General American. We talk about various different topics related to the U.S. and the U.S.'s relations with other countries. My co-host and I would like to think of this as more of a journey because you never know where it’ll take us. Plus, since the journey’s more important than the end or the start, we hope that you’ll be willing to join us! Let’s see where it takes us! The Goldbergs Old Time Radio DVD The Goldbergs is a comedy-drama broadcast from 1929 to 1946 on American radio, and from 1949 to 1956 on American television. It was adapted into a 1948 play, Me and Molly; a 1950 film, The Goldbergs; and a 1973 Broadway musical, Molly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of American Songcatcher?

This episode is 1 hour and 9 minutes long.

When was this American Songcatcher episode published?

This episode was published on February 21, 2022.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this American Songcatcher episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!