DISCOGRAPHY 1982-2023 (23CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Listening to Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Buddy Guy on the radio
gave him a love of the blues. When he first picked up the guitar as a
teenager, he was inspired to aim for the deep Delta blues after hearing
songs by Son House.
Following high school in Davenport, IA, Catfish Keith hit the road,
embarking on his lifelong quest as a solo performer of American roots
music. His many travels took him to the Caribbean, where in the Virgin
Islands he crewed briefly on a sailboat. He absorbed the rhythms of Jazz,
Calypso, Reggae and the music of Joseph Spence. This music gave Catfish
Keith inspiration to reach new musical heights.
Though he grew up on the Mississippi River, Catfish Keith earned his
nickname from a West Indian lobster diving partner who, after seeing him
swim, dubbed him "Catfish-Swimmin'-Around," and
"Catfish-Steel-Guitar-Man." In 1984, at age 22, Catfish Keith recorded his
first album on the Kicking Mule label, Catfish Blues. The all-solo debut
established him as a new force in acoustic blues.
It reached number one on independent worldwide radio charts. This enabled
Catfish Keith to play and tour heartily. He was constantly learning
directly from legends such as Johnny Shines, David Honeyboy Edwards,
Jessie Mae Hemphill, and Henry Townsend.
Catfish Keith and Penny Cahill married in 1988 and they soon formed Fish
Tail Records. In 1991, Pepper in My Shoe, was released to rave reviews,
sparking international interest and extensive touring in the U.K. and
Europe. Catfish Keith was embraced as a true blues star.
The Guardian called Catfish Keith, "a solo revelation" who was "breaking
new ground for blues." Catfish Keith, headlining major festivals and
concerts, was featured on the covers of Blues Life of Austria/Germany,
Blueprint in the U.K., and Block in the Netherlands.
Pepper in My Shoe was followed by Jitterbug Swing, which was nominated
for a W.C. Handy Award for "Beset Acoustic Blues Album of 1992." Catfish
Keith was also honored to perform at the W.C. Handy Awards show, where he
appeared alongside Robert Cray, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Johnny
Copeland, Delbert McClinton, and others.
The British Blues Connection nominated Catfish Keith for "Best Overseas
Artist," naming him "the new slide king of the National steel guitar."
Cherry Ball was released in 1993, further exploring Catfish's
string-twanging style to the delight of an ever-growing following of
devoted fans.
James Jensen in Dirty Linen wrote: "Catfish will give you goose bumps and
leave you howling for more!" Catfish Keith's fifth solo album, Fresh
Catfish, was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award for "Best Acoustic Blues
Album of 1995." This disc displayed the drive and swing of a true blues
performer on the vanguard of the era's music scene. Mark E. Gallo of the
Blues Review was quoted as saying, "Catfish Keith is hands down one of the
finest acoustic bluesmen in America."
In 1999, Catfish Keith released Pony Run, another amazing compilation of
guitar genius.
NEW
1995-Fresh Catfish @FLAC+
1992-Jitterbug Swing @FLAC+
1995-Fresh Catfish @FLAC+
1997-Twist It, Babe! @FLAC+
1999-Pony Run @FLAC+
2001-Cherry Ball @FLAC+
2005-Sweet Pea @FLAC+
2006-Rolling Sea @FLAC+
2007-If I Could Holler @FLAC+
2009-Live at the Half Moon @FLAC+
2011-A True Friend Is Hard To Find A Gospel Retrospective @FLAC
2011-Put On A Buzz @FLAC+
2017-Mississippi River Blues @FLAC+
2018-Reefer Hound (Viper Songs Revisited) @FLAC+
2019-Catfish Crawl @FLAC
2023-Wild Ox Moan @FLAC
2024-Shake Me Up @FLAC
2025-Sugar for Sugar - Vol.1 Summer Sessions @FLAC