Community Radio’s Australian Music Catalogue and Distribution Service

There have been many great duos in the history of Blues music yet few achieved the fame of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.

Gracing the world’s stages from the early 1940s, performing and recording classic blues and folk/blues songs for over 40 years they became an institution and Blues royalty.

It was a simple nonetheless perfect sound, Sonny’s trademark high-pitched yet earthy harmonica responding to Brownie’s easy shuffling rhythms.
Their inspired singing and song writing was coloured by many styles, primarily by the Piedmont tradition, a ragtime based form of the Blues, originating in the East Coast of the USA.

Their musical partnership took them to an enthusiastic international audience, primarily on the festival circuit and at concert halls. In spite of the “Blues Boom” of the 1960s, with its emphasis on electric guitars, they maintained their popularity during that decade, sticking to their trademark sound and tunes.
Although they did not personally get along, their musical relationship lasted well into the 1980s.

Sonny and Brownie have a great story to tell. Two of Australia's foremost Blues artists have combined their talents to honour this legendary duo.

Nick and Doc tackle this iconic Sonny & Brownie number. Inspired by the duo's Gospel roots, it became an anthem during the 1960s, due to its anti-war message.