Neal Pattman

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Neal Pattman

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| birth_name =

| alias = Big Daddy Pattman

| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|1|10|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Madison County, Georgia, United States

| death_date = {{death date and age|2005|5|4|1926|1|10|mf=y}}

| death_place = Athens, Georgia, United States

| origin =

| instrument = Harmonica, vocals

| genre = Electric blues

| occupation = Singer, harmonica player, songwriter

| years_active = 1960s–2005

| label = Global Village, Music Maker, Bent Notes

| associated_acts =

| website =

}}

Neal Pattman (January 10, 1926 – May 4, 2005){{cite web|author=Doc Rock |url=http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2005.html |title=The Dead Rock Stars Club 2005 – January to June |publisher=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-27}} was an American electric blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p34424/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Neal Pattman|author=Jason Ankeny|publisher=Allmusic |access-date=October 22, 2011}} Sometimes billed as Big Daddy Pattman, he is best known for his self-penned tracks, "Prison Blues" and "Goin' Back To Georgia". In the latter, and most notable stages of his long career, Pattman worked with Cootie Stark, Taj Mahal, Dave Peabody, Jimmy Rip, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Guitar Gabriel, and Lee Konitz.

Biography

Pattman was born in Madison County, Georgia, United States, one of fourteen children. He learned harmonica playing from his father, after an accident involving a wagon wheel at the age of nine left him with only his left arm.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicmaker.org/artists_profile/Neal-Pattman |title=Neal Pattman |author= |date= |publisher=Musicmaker.org |access-date=October 22, 2011}} Inspired by Sonny Terry's playing and distinctive whoops and hollers, Pattman played on the street corners of nearby Athens, Georgia. He found regular employment in the University of Georgia's kitchens, and gained further experience and local adoration for his regular live performances at various clubs and festivals.{{cite web |url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/050705/new_20050507054.shtml |title=Neal Pattman: 1926–2005, Athens loses a music icon |author=Don Nelson |date=May 7, 2005 |publisher=Onlineathens.com |access-date=October 22, 2011}} However, his more general renown was minimal until 1989, when he performed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

A meeting in 1991 with Tim Duffy, of the Music Maker Relief Foundation, led to Pattman playing with Cootie Stark, supporting Taj Mahal, on a nationwide Blues Revival Tour. Playing with the British blues guitarist, Dave Peabody,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jun/11/guardianobituaries |title=Neal Pattman; One-armed harmonica virtuoso |author=Tony Russell |date=11 June 2005 |publisher=Guardian.co.uk |access-date=October 22, 2011}} led to Pattman releasing three albums between 1995 and 2001. He also contributed to Kenny Wayne Shepherd's album and DVD, 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, which was released in 2007.

However, Pattman had already died of bone cancer in May 2005, in Athens, Georgia, aged 79.

Discography

Year \|\| Title \|\| Record label
class="wikitable sortable"
1995	The Blues Ain't Left Yet	style="text-align:center;"\|Global Village Records
1999	Prison Blues	style="text-align:center;"\|Music Maker
2001	It Seemed Like a Dream	style="text-align:center;"\|Bent Notes Records

{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/neal-pattman-mn0000382226/discography |title=Neal Pattman | Discography |publisher=AllMusic |date= |access-date=2014-01-27}}