Alec Seward
American Piedmont and country blues singer, guitarist and songwriter
About Alec Seward
Lived 1902 – 1972 (aged 70). Alec Seward was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and singing.
Biography Seward, one of fourteen siblings, was born in Charles City County, Virginia.
Seward befriended Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry and retained his Piedmont blues styling despite changes in musical trends. He and the blues musician Louis Hayes (who later became a minister in northern New Jersey) performed together, variously billed as the Blues Servant Boys, Guitar Slim and Jelly Belly, and the Back Porch Boys. During the 1940s and 1950s Seward played and recorded with Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, McGhee and Terry. Around 1947 Seward, Guthrie, and Terry recorded several chain gang songs, including "Chain Gang Special", and some other older songs adapted to having chain gang themes. They were later released on the compilation album Best of the War Years.
Selected discography Creepin' Blues (1965, Bluesville) Late One Saturday Evening (1996, Blues Alliance) The Back Porch Boys (2002, Delmark)
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Important facts
People in Alec Seward's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Alec Seward?
American Piedmont and country blues singer, guitarist and songwriter (1902-1972)
When was Alec Seward born?
Alec Seward was born on 16 March 1902 in Charles City County.
When did Alec Seward die?
Alec Seward died on 11 May 1972 in New York City.
What was Alec Seward's occupation?
Alec Seward was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and singing.
What nationality was Alec Seward?
Alec Seward was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alec Seward. https://biography.guide/alec-seward/
MLA: "Alec Seward." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alec-seward/.
Chicago: "Alec Seward." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alec-seward/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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