Try these links to learn more about Washboard Sam!

http://www.myspace.com/washboardsam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washboard_Sam

Killer Blues has done it again!

Homewood, IL  Nov. 22, 2009  Steve Salter of Whitehall, MI with Washboard Sam’s headstone which was purchased in October by Salter thru his Killer Blues Headstone Project. Salter has purchased 3 other markers for blues musicians including, Big Maceo, Walter Vinson and Luther Tucker. He is currently working on several other headstones for musicians buried in unmarked graves.

Restvale Cemetary, Chicago, Illinois-

Killer Blues is proud to announce the purchase of guitarist Luther Tucker's headstone, located in Restvale Cemetary in Chicago, Illinois. Thanks to the growing support of local blues fans, and the successful near sell-out crowd at the White Lake Blues festival in May of 2009, we were able to purchase Luther's headstone, complete with his trademark guitar. Steve stopped by to take a photo and pay his respects on his way to this year's Chicago Blues Festival! Thanks to everyone for your continued support of this project!

Who was Luther Tucker? (From Wikipedia)

Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 — June 18, 1993^[1]) was an American blues guitarist.

Tucker helped to define the music known as Chicago Blues, but played everything from blues to soul, rock, jazz and gospel, when given the chance. Read more...

Additionally, while at Chicago Blues Fest, Steve caught up with Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records, who announced that he had recently purchased a headstone for Carrie Bell, who is buried at Mount Hope Cemetary in Chicago, Ill.

Thanks to Bruce for his ongoing contributions to the Blues!

Walter Vinson Gets A Headstone!

Press Release:

Cook County, IL – Walter Vinson may not be “sittin’ on top of the world” but at least he’s no longer lying in an unmarked grave thanks to Steve Salter’s Killer Blues Headstone Project.  Vinson, one time member of the Mississippi Sheiks and author of the song “Sittin’ on Top of the World” now has a proper marker in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL. This is the second marker purchased by the Headstone Project this year.  The first was for Big Maceo, King of the Blues Piano.   For more information on how you can help with the next headstone, visit killerblues.net.

Steve "The Killer" Salter at Walter Vinson's Grave with new headstone, purchased by Killer Blues

(Click to enlarge)

Big Maceo Merriwether Gets A Headstone!

Press Release:

Warren, MI -After 45 years of lying in an unmarked grave, Big Maceo, King of the blues piano, has finally received a headstone due to the efforts of blues enthusiast Steve Salter.  Salter purchased the headstone with funds raised from a recent blues festival in his home town of Whitehall, MI.  Salter, a CD and t-shirt vendor at blues festivals has travelled throughout the country collecting photographs of blues artist’s headstones often finding that many didn’t have markers.  He resolved to do something about it and created the Killer Blues Headstone Project.  In 1999 he began his project by submitting a letter to Blues Review Magazine to voice his outrage that the great Otis Spann who contributed so much to the development of Chicago Blues, had no headstone.  This lead to a grass roots campaign with donations coming in from all over the world resulting in a proper marker.  With the placement of Big Maceo’s headstone this month, Salter is on to his next project, Walter Vincent, who lies in an unmarked grave in Chicago.  If you are interested in helping the Killer Blues Headstone Project, visit killerblues.net for more information.   

Big Maceo's new headstone!

(Click to enlarge)