James De Shay's lyrics & chords

James DeShay's first "guitar" was a one-string rig he concoted by nailing a piece of baling wire to a post and tightening it with a snuff box. From that single-string instrument he was able to play melodies and change pitch by mashing down on the wire. DeShay's earliest influences included the great Charlie Patton, Howlin' Wolf and Robert Jr. Lockwood. James was already an accomplished guitar player when he moved to St. Louis in the mid 40's, when he struck up a friendship with Little Walter Jacobs with whom he played around town. James often a...read more