CHARLES "COW COW" DAVENPORT

Instruments: Vocals, Piano, Songwriter
Date of Birth: April 23, 1894
Place of Birth: Anniston, Alabama

Born in Anniston in 1884, Chrales Edward Davenport was the son of a preacher who wanted him to follow in that profession. Instead he became one of the most distinctive pianists of his era creating the much copied train imitation utilized in boogie-woogie.

At an early age he joined Barhoot's Traveling Carnival as a medicine show musician where his rag-time piano style was influenced by Bob Davis. He moved into vaudeville with blues singer Dora Carr as "Davenport And Co.", and made his first recordings for Gennett and Paramount in 1927. He later worked with Vocalion Records as both performer and talent scout.

In 1938 an attack of apoplexy left him deficient in his right hand. He continued to perform as a singer, but a move to New York found him eventually washing dishes in the Onyx Club. He was rescued by pianist Art Hodes, and recovered sufficiently to record again as a pianist for the Comet and Circle labels.

His compositions included the traditional standard "Mama Don't Allow", "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You", and "Cow Cow Boogie". Two albums of his music, "Cow Cow Blues" and "Alabama Strut" were released in the 1970s.