The No.1 website for musicians
© CORBIS
A home, store and juke joint for migratory workers near Canal Point, Florida, January 1941
The Chitlin’ circuit was the name given to a group of venues or ‘juke joints’ in the American South that catered specifically to the black community and travelling musicians in a time of racial segregation.
Just about every black artist from BB King to Ray Charles and James Brown made their bones on the Chitlin’ circuit. Jimi Hendrix did too. By the way, chitlins (also known as chitterlings) is a Southern soul food made from stewed pig intestines. Here’s a recipe if you fancy dishing it up.
Erm, we’re not hungry, thanks…
Cuttin’ heads is a musical ‘duel’ between two blues guitarists. In the 1986 movie Crossroads Ralph ‘Karate Kid’ Macchio tears Steve Vai a new one to keep the Devil’s mitts off his soul. Fact: Vai played both guitar parts for the scene’s climax.
