Barbecue Bob: The Life and Legacy of Robert Hicks

This biographical record profiles Robert Hicks, an influential Piedmont blues musician better known by the stage name Barbecue Bob. Born in Georgia in 1902, he became a prolific recording artist for Columbia Records during the late 1920s, distinguished by his percussive 12-string guitar technique and unique "frailing" style. The text explains that his professional moniker originated from his job as a cook at a barbecue restaurant, a role used extensively in his publicity and persona. Despite a brief career that ended with his early death at age 29, his extensive discography left a lasting mark on the Atlanta blues scene. Today, his musical legacy continues to be recognized through his historical recordings and his influence on later blues and rock performers.