Blues legend Floyd Dixon was born in Marshall, Texas, on February 8, 1929. He taught himself to play the piano while growing up. He became known as a rhythm and blues pianist, often playing with big bands. Some of his songs include “Hey Bartender” (which was covered by The Blues Brothers), “Hole in the Wall,” and “Marshall Texas Is My Home.” His first recorded song was “Dallas Blues” for Supreme Records.
Dixon survived a turbulent childhood. After his parents divorced he lived with his grandmother until her passing. He then lived in a tree house until ultimately moving to California to live with his mother at around age 12. To pay the bills, he worked as a caddie and at a drugstore. He also took courses in hotel management and considered a career in football, but the blues kept calling his name.
In 1984 Dixon was honored with a Billboard Blues Award, the same year he was commissioned to write a blues song for the 1984 Olympic Games. He passed away in 2006 and is buried in Los Angeles.
