Search - Ivory Joe Hunter :: Jukebox Hits 1945-1950

By the early 1940's, Ivory Joe Hunter had become a prolific songwriter and piano player in the style of Fats Waller, but Hunter was a bit restless and had the idea of somehow combining the influences of the blues and country music that he had heard so much of in his native Texas. He looked to the West to fulfill his desire to record his own music, and in 1942 moved to the Los Angeles area. By 1945 he had become part of Johnny Moore and The Three Blazers and made his first record with the combo on his own label. In the late forties he founded Pacific Records, and then recorded for Four Star and then found real success with King Records. He had been plying mostly boogie woogie, but in 1949 he signed with MGM Records and recorded 'I Almost Lost My Mind' and other more pop and country-influenced material, long before Ray Charles had the idea. This is a wonderful album of country blues and a terrific addition to the fantastic Juke Box Hits series. 2005.