Stick McGhee

Granville Henry “Stick” McGhee (March 23, 1918 – August 15, 1961) was an American jump bluesguitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his blues songDrinkin’ Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee“, which he wrote with J. Mayo Williams.

McGhee was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee. He received his nickname when he was a child. He used a stick to push a wagon carrying his older brother Brownie McGhee, who had contracted polio. Granville began playing the guitar when he was thirteen years old. After his freshman year he dropped out of high school and worked with his father at the Eastman Kodaksubsidiary, Tennessee Eastman Company in Kingsport. In 1940, Granville quit his job and moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, and then to New York City. He entered the military in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After being discharged in 1946, he settled in New York.

 

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