Kokomo Arnold
James "Kokomo" Arnold, born either on February 15, 1896, or 1901, in Lovejoy's Station, Georgia, was a prominent American blues musician known for his left-handed slide guitar technique and rapid vocal delivery. He gained the nickname "Kokomo" in 1934 after recording "Old Original Kokomo Blues" for Decca Records, a cover of Scrapper Blackwell's song. Arnold's career began in the 1920s while he worked various jobs, including as a farmhand and steelworker. He moved to Chicago in 1929, where he engaged in bootlegging until the end of Prohibition. His music career took off after Kansas Joe McCoy introduced him to Decca Records' producer Mayo Williams.
Between 1934 and 1938, Arnold recorded 88 sides for Decca, influencing contemporaries like Robert Johnson. His song "Milk Cow Blues" was covered by several artists, including Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. Despite being rediscovered by blues researchers in 1962, Arnold showed no interest in returning to music. He passed away from a heart attack on November 8, 1968, in Chicago and was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
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