GEORGIA STOMP
Andrew and Jim Baxter 
Recorded in Atlanta, GA: October 16, 1928
Andrew Baxter, fiddle; Jim Baxter vocal and guitar
Originally released on Victor 38002B
Father and son duo, Andrew and Jim Baxter, were an African-American string band based in Calhoun, Georgia. Andrew's heritage was slightly different in that he was half-Cherokee. During that era Gordon County was a regional center for string band music. This encouraged the musical development of the Baxter's style in that they could play a number of styles of music and collaborate with many of the other local musicians. In August 1927, the Baxters accompanied a white Georgia string band, the Georgia Yellow Hammers (who were impressed with their playing), to Charlotte for a recording session. Although they were forced to ride in a seperate car traveling to Charlotte, they played on some of the recordings with the Yellow Hammers, most notably the song "G Rag." The Baxters also recorded solo at the same session. An integrated string band from Georgia must have been an unusual sight in the studio in the 1920s. There were more sessions with and without the Georgia Yellow Hammers in 1928 and 1929. Both Baxters died in the 1950s.
FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS of the Baxters see the collections: String Bands, 1926-1929 (DOC 5167c); Before the Blues, Vol. 1 (YZ 2015c) and Songs of Migration and Immigration (LC LBC 6a) and on various recordings by the Georgia Yellowhammers (RND 1032a).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on the Baxters see "Hell Broke Loose in Gordon County, Georgia," Old Time Music, 25 (Summer 1977) and Bruce Bastin, Red River Blues.
