November 1941
Events
- November 21, 1941King Biscuit Time debuts — first live blues radio show
Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) and guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr. debut King Biscuit Time on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas on November 21, 1941 — the first regular radio program to feature live blues performances. Sponsored by King Biscuit Flour, the show broadcast 15-minute live sets and introduced B.B. King, Levon Helm, and countless others to professional blues music.
- November 21, 1941Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) popularizes chromatic harmonica on radio
With the debut of King Biscuit Time on November 21, 1941, Rice Miller (calling himself Sonny Boy Williamson) became the first blues harmonica player to perform live on regular radio broadcasts. His amplified, aggressive harp style — heard weekly by Delta laborers and future musicians including B.B. King — set the template for blues harmonica playing that would define Chicago blues in the next decade.
- November 21, 1941Sonny Boy Williamson popularizes blues harmonica on radio
With the debut of King Biscuit Time on November 21, 1941, Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson) became the first blues harmonica player to perform live on regular radio broadcasts. His amplified, aggressive harp style — heard weekly by Delta laborers and future musicians including B.B. King — set the template for blues harmonica that would define Chicago blues in the next decade.