Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis
{{Short description|American blues musician (1934–2022)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = James Ellis
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alias = Preacher
| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|8|17}}
| birth_place = Foreman, Arkansas, United States
| origin =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|09|16|1934|8|17}}
| death_place = Dallas, Texas
| genre = Blues
| occupation = Singer, musician
| instrument = Guitar
| years_active =
| label = Jewel, Romark, Round, Kris, Tramp Records
| associated_acts = The Travelling Four
The Centuries
| website =
}}
James "Jimmy" Ellis (August 17, 1934 – September 16, 2022)[https://www.goldengatefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jimmy-Ellis Jimmy Ellis Obituary, Golden Gate Funeral Home]. Retrieved April 21, 2023 was an American blues musician.Paris Dj's on Sunday 20 January 2013 [http://www.parisdjs.com/index.php/post/The-Story-Of-Jimmy-Preacher-Ellis-1963-1972 The Story Of Jimmy 'Preacher' Ellis 1963-1972 - out on Tramp Records]DCMinnerblues.com [http://dcminnerblues.com/about/band-bios-2/ Band BIOS] His recording career dated back to the mid 1960s.Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Jimmy-Preacher-Ellie-Go-Head-On-Im-Gonna-Do-It-By-Myself/release/6031720 Jimmy 'Preacher' Ellie* – Go Head On / I'm Gonna Do It By Myself] On more than one occasion he played at the Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festivals.NewsOK August 29, 2008 [http://newsok.com/article/3289858 Blues festival pays tribute to late founder By George Lang]Blues Festival Guide August 1, 2013 [http://www.bluesfestivalguide.com/wp_blues_news_archive/renti.php.C. Minner’s 23rd Annual Rentiesville Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival Aug 30-Sept 1]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}Checotah Oklahoma August 26, 2015 [http://www.americantowns.com/ok/checotah/news/dusk-til-dawn-blues-festival-2015-23869542 Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival 2015] In the 1960s he did some recordings that were released on the Jewel, Space, Kris and Romark labels. The type of music he recorded over the years ranged from blues and R&B to psychedelic funk and, in the 1970s, soul music from that era.Paris Dj's on Sunday 20 January 2013 [http://www.parisdjs.com/index.php/post/The-Story-Of-Jimmy-Preacher-Ellis-1963-1972 The Story Of Jimmy 'Preacher' Ellis 1963-1972 - out on Tramp Records]
Background
He was born in Foreman, Arkansas in 1934 into a farming community.Kudos Records [https://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/release/tr9020ddw/jimmy-preacher-ellis-the-story-of-jimmy-preacher-ellis.html Jimmy Preacher Ellis The Story of Jimmy Preacher Ellis] His teenage years were spent in Seattle, Washington. In those years he was a member of the Mount Baker Baptist Church singing in the choir. He was asked by the Reverend F.F. Billups to join the group The Travelling Four to replace the group's baritone singer who had just left. By 1955 when he was around 20 years old the group broke up. He soon enlisted in the army. In the late 1950s he became more seriously involved in playing the guitar and with Tony Harris and Billy Marshall who were from The Travelling Four, he formed the Centuries. In 1964 and now a solo artist,Groove Attack [http://www.grooveattack.com/2013/01/15/jimmy-preacher-ellis/ Jimmy Preacher Ellis] he headed to Los Angeles, hoping to record and later that year his first record single was released. Later in 1964, he met R&B songwriter 'Fats' Washington. Ellis recorded a couple of singles that were released on Washington's Movin' label. Later he had a couple more singles released this time on the Ride label which was another one of Washington's.Traxsource [https://www.traxsource.com/title/363615/the-story-of-jimmy-preacher-ellis The Story of Jimmy Preacher Ellis]
=1990s to 2000s=
In the 1990s he appeared on stage with Peter Tork.WorldCat [http://www.worldcat.org/title/jimmy-preacher-ellis-in-concert-with-special-guest-peter-tork/oclc/603543150&referer=brief_results Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis in concert : with special guest Peter Tork.] In 1996, his Red, Hot & Blues album was released. It featured songs such as "Sweet Dreams", "Every Day's A Holiday With The Blues", "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Rainy Night In Georgia".Artist Direct [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,256027,00.html Jimmy Ellis Red Hot and Blues, Red, Hot & Blues Track Listing] Saxophonist Stemsy Hunter, drummer Richard Martinez and singer Suzie Cappetta contributed to the album.Artist Direct [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,256027,00.html Jimmy Ellis Red Hot and Blues, Credits of Red, Hot & Blues]
In 2002, he appeared at the Topanga Canyon Blues Festival.Central Valley Blues Society [http://www.cvblues.org/printfestival2002.html 2002 Archive June 1] In 2010, he played at a tribute concert for Blind Willie Johnson, marking the 65th anniversary of his death.Cash Edwards [http://www.cashedwards.com/blindWillie.htm For Immediate Release: May 13, 2010, Texas Blues Legend, Blind Willie Johnson’s Burial Site Found. Tribute Show with Ruthie Foster, Jon Dee Graham and many more] Other venues he has played at is the Littlefield in Brooklyn.Littlefield [http://www.littlefieldnyc.com/event/467917-jimmy-preacher-ellis-backed-brooklyn/ Dig Deeper Presents Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis (backed by the Brooklyn Rhythm Band) Sat, February 8, 2014] In 2013, a compilation album of his releases between 1963 and 1973 was released on Tramp Records. The album was called The Story Of Jimmy ‘Preacher’ Ellis.Monkeyboxing [http://monkeyboxing.com/content/jimmy-preacher-ellis-the-story-of-jimmy-preacher-ellis-2012/#more-14790 JIMMY ‘PREACHER’ ELLIS: The Story Of Jimmy ‘Preacher’ Ellis (2013)] In August 2013 he appeared at the D.C. Minner’s 23rd Annual Rentiesville Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival.Blues Festival Guide August 1, 2013 [http://www.bluesfestivalguide.com/wp_blues_news_archive/renti.php.C. Minner’s 23rd Annual Rentiesville Dusk til Dawn Blues Festival Aug 30-Sept 1]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Red Dirt Nation August 2013 Vol. 10 No. 8 [http://www.reddirtnation.com/View-Article/AID/2058/Title/Rentiesville-fest-keeps-blues-roots-running-deep Rentiesville fest keeps blues roots running deep By Michele Schmidt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043846/http://www.reddirtnation.com/View-Article/AID/2058/Title/Rentiesville-fest-keeps-blues-roots-running-deep |date=2016-03-04 }} In August 2015, he was at the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival in Oklahoma.Checotah Oklahoma August 26, 2015 [http://www.americantowns.com/ok/checotah/news/dusk-til-dawn-blues-festival-2015-23869542 Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival 2015]
=Death=
He died in Dallas, Texas, on September 16, 2022, at the age of 88.
Singles
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ List |
| scope="col" | Artist title
! scope="col" | Release title(s) ! scope="col" | Label and cat ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis
| "Work With What You Got" / "Fool For A Friend" | Ride R-144 | 1965 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie Ellis
| "Baby I Love You" / "Kiddio" | Ride R-146 | 1965 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis
| "Go Head On" / "I'm Gonna Do It By Myself" | Movin' M-136; Jewel 770 | 1966 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis
| "Nobody Knows" / "Cry No More" | Movin' M-141 | 1966 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis and the Odd Fellows
| "Two Tenors – A Tone and A Bone" / "(C'mon) Dance to the Drumbeat" | Kris K-1679 | 1968 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy Ellis
| "Heaven Has Blessed You" / "Puttin' It on Your Mind" | Salem 1001 | 1969 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis
| "That's the Way I Am" / "You Can't Pour Water on Me (And Tell Me It's Raining)" | Hip-Delic 313 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie Ellis
| "I Gotta See My Baby" / "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" | Hip-Delic 314 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie Ellis and the 13th Hour Band
| "I Just Wanna Be Myself" / "13th Hour" | Space 45-305 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis
| "Don't Tax Me In" / "Trouble All Over the Land" | Space 45-306 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie Ellis
| "Happy To Be (The Man You Like To See)" / "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" | Century City CCR-511 | 1970 | 45Cat [http://www.45cat.com/artist/jimmie-preacher-ellis Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis - Discography] |
| scope="row" | Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis
| "I Can't Work and Watch You" / "Tough Competition" | Romark RK-116 | 1971 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmie (Preacher) Ellis and the Odd Fellows
| "I Gotta See My Baby" / "Put Your Hoe (To My Row)" | Round 1036 | 1971 | |
| scope="row" | James Ellis
| "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" / Ain't Gonna Cry No More (Instrumental)" | Cotillion 44121 | 1971 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy Ellis
| "Why I Sing the Blues, Part 1" / "Why I Sing the Blues, Part 2" | Kris K-8114 | | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy Ellis
| "Outskirt of Town, Part 1" / "Outskirt of Town, Part 2" | Kris K-8115 | |
| scope="row" | Jimmy Ellis
| "Party Time, Pt. 1" / "Party Time, Pt. 2" | Kris K-8121 | | Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/artist/1348629-Jimmy-Ellis-3 Jimmy Ellis (3), Singles & EPs] |
| scope="row" | Jimmy (Preacher) Ellis
| "Can't Work & Watch You" / "Work With It" | Kris K-8144 | | 45Cat [http://www.45cat.com/artist/jimmie-preacher-ellis Jimmie "Preacher" Ellis - Discography] |
Albums/CDs
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ List |
| scope="col" | Release title
! scope="col" | Label and cat ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | Red, Hot & Blues
| Kris K-8147 | 1996 |
| scope="row" | That's Why We All Have the Blues
| Victoria Underground VCD-011 | 2002 |
| scope="row" | The Story of Jimmy Preacher Ellis
| Tramp TR-9020 | 2013 |
=Appears on=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ List |
| scope="col" | Release title
! scope="col" | Label and cat ! scope="col" | Song title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | The Sound Of Funk Volume Ten
| Goldmine Soul Supply GSLP97 | "I Gotta See My Baby" | 1996 | LP | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | Up All Night, Vol. 2: 30 Underground Soul Hits
| Charly Records R 447756 | "I'm Gonna Do It By Myself" | 1999 | CD | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | Kris Records ... Los Angeles' Showcase Of Soul
| Kent Soul CDKEND 162 | "You" | 1998 | CD | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | The Sound Of Funk Volume Ten
| Goldmine Soul Supply GSCD 97 | "I Gotta See My Baby" | 2000 | CD | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | R'n'B Meets Northern Soul Volume 2
| Goldmine Soul Supply GSCD 188 | "Puttin' It On Your Mind" | 2006 | CD | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | R'n'B Meets Northern Soul Volume 2
| V.O.R. VORLP114 | "Puttin' It On Your Mind" | 2009 | LP | Various artists compDiscogs [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1348629-Jimmy-Ellis-3?filter_anv=0&subtype=Compilations&type=Appearances Jimmy Ellis (3) Discography] |
| scope="row" | President Johnson’s Blues
| Agram Blues AB 2020 | "Don't Tax Me In" | 2009 | CD | Various artists compRate Your Music [http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/president_johnsons_blues.p/ President Johnson's Blues]Discogs [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1348629-Jimmy-Ellis-3?filter_anv=0&subtype=Compilations&type=Appearances Jimmy Ellis (3) Discography] |
| scope="row" | Romark Records: Kent Harris' Soul Sides
| Kent Soul CDKEND 397 | "Tough Competition" | 2013 | CD | Various artists compLiving Blues December 2013 [http://digital.livingblues.com/publication/?i=186721&p=73 Page 71 Reissues, Lee Hilderbrand] |
| scope="row" | For Dancers Only - Northern & Rare Soul Club - 10th Anniversary
| (For Dancers Only Self Compiled & Released) | "Baby I Love You" | 2013 | CD-R | Various artists comp |
| scope="row" | The Get It! Raw Funk Of '67 - '69!
| Get-S-4003 | "Put Your Hoe (To My Row)" | Various artists comp | LP | LP and CD have the same part numberDiscogs [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1348629-Jimmy-Ellis-3?filter_anv=0&subtype=Compilations&type=Appearances Jimmy Ellis (3) Discography] |
References
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Category:African-American guitarists
Category:American blues singers
Category:American blues guitarists
Category:American male guitarists
Category:Blues musicians from Arkansas
Category:People from Little River County, Arkansas
Category:Singers from Arkansas
Category:Guitarists from Arkansas
Category:20th-century American guitarists
Category:20th-century American male musicians