Blues Doctor's still got the beat at 78

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Blues Doctor's still got the beat at 78
February 1, 2011
BY RANDY BURNS
The Item

BISHOPVILLE - In the world of blues music, Bishopville's Drink Small is known as the Blues Doctor. He is one of the genre's pioneers who paved the way for all blues musicians after him with his signature guitar licks and vocal style.

Small cut his first record in 1956, and his performances at blues festivals, concert halls, nightclubs and lounges have become legendary, according to Charleston Blues Musician Shrimp City Slim.

On the occasion of his 78th birthday on Friday night in Bishopville, the Blues Doctor showed how he earned his reputation. It was not a holiday or day off for Small, as the Bishopville native performed for almost two hours before an appreciative hometown audience.

"I think he would have performed all night," said Bishopville City Councilman Ennis Bryant.

Bryant, who plays a "pretty mean guitar" himself, said Small's guitar playing is in another league.

"He is a great guitarist no matter his age," Bryant said. "But at 78 years old, the dexterity he has and the way he is able to move his fingers is unbelievable. He doesn't have any arthritis."

Bryant said it "is a shame" that our children do not know the music of Drink Small.

Roy Atkinson, an amateur country and gospel singer in his own right, said Small is an exceptional musician and entertainer.

"I'll be honest with you," Atkinson said. "That's the best show I've ever seen."

There were at least two people in the audience who have been listening to the Blues Doctor for 60 years. Classmates at Dennis High School from 1953 to 1955, Carrie Gass and Eva Lytch, said teachers and students at Dennis knew Small had a special talent.

"We had a great music teacher," Gass said. "Her name was L.B. Salley, and she worked with a lot of us. Drink was singing and playing at every assembly. We knew he was special."

Lytch said she remembers Small singing "I Love You Truly."

"He could sing and play anything," she said. "He loved being on stage, even in 1953."

Gass remembers that Small would often sing and play country music.

"He played ‘Mule Train' all the time," she said. "He loved it."

While Small's singing and playing guitar were his trademarks, his personality always shone through, Gass said.

"Everybody loved being around Drink," Gass said. "Drink was always having fun. And he had you laughing."

And even in high school, Small was sharing his philosophy of life with his classmates. He calls them "Drinkisms," and they are as entertaining as his music.

"Drinkisms are the way Drink thinks about things," he said.

His definition of blues music is not complicated.

"I'm the only person alive that has broken blues music down," he said.

"Rich people got the blues because they're trying to keep their money," he said. "Poor people got the blues because they're trying to get money. I got the blues because I ain't got no money."

Small also offers his thoughts on race and music.

"White people can beat black people in yodelin," he said. "But black people can beat white people in moanin' (the blues)."

Small said the Lord is responsible for his making a living in music.

"Everybody in my family picked cotton but me," he said. "I told the Lord to make me something else, that I didn't want to be a cotton picker. God said I'm making you a guitar picker. And I have been playing the hell out of it."

Small didn't go to college, but he is proud of his recent honorary doctorate degree in music.

"I am proud that people with college degrees thought I should have one for my work in blues music," he said.

Small had a lot to say about Bishopville.

"I love this place more than anybody I know," he said. "And what I love best about Bishopville is it produced me. I have tried to put Bishopville on the map. And I'm pretty sure I have."

Small has written two songs about his hometown: "Bishopville Women" and "Bishopville is My Hometown."

He said he has elected to leave names out of the song because he doesn't want to be ambushed. He acknowledges a love for women, but admits he has a greater love for music.

"I love guitars more than I love women," Small said. "They guys I've played music with, they have a house full of children. I have a house full of guitars."

Small talks about the kind of songs he likes to play.

"I like songs that have a story to it," he said. "And some I like for the beat. But I can always put a beat to it."

And Small talks about the aging process.

"I'm 78 years old, but I'm not old," he said.

On stage on his 78th birthday, Small performed dozens of songs with titles that are Drinkisms in their own right such as ‘"A Good Woman is Hard to Find," "If You Tell One Lie, You Have to Tell Another," and "I Ain't Nothing to Be Played With."

He also sang standards such as "Stand By Me," "I Love You Truly" and Eddy Arnold's "I Really Don't Want to Know."

He sang the latter both in a country style and as a blues song.

Small told the audience that he would be singing through his nose.

"If you close your eyes, you would think I'm a white man," he said.

In addition to the concert, Small was honored with special presentations by the South Carolina General Assembly presented by State Rep. Grady Brown, D-Bishopville, and the Lee County Arts Council presented by President Robin Drayton Brunson.

Arts Council members are already talking about making the Drink Small Birthday Bash an annual event.

"That would be great if we could do that," said Opera House Manager Grayham Geddings.