Cool John Ferguson

John W. Ferguson (December 2, 1953 – August 12, 2025), known professionally as Cool John Ferguson, was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He released five albums under his own name and played on around 20 others. He was the Director of Creative Development for the Music Maker Relief Foundation, and played his guitar "upside down". His father, John Wesley Ferguson, was head deacon at the Beaufort New Church of Christ, whilst his mother, Martha Jenkins Ferguson, hailed from Saint Helena Island. He had learned to play the guitar by the age of three, but "had to be sat in someone's lap while they sat in a chair." In addition to supplying studio backing work for various musicians, including Little Pink Anderson and Frank Edwards, Ferguson started to appear under his own name. He toured widely, performing at the Byron Bay Bluesfest,

At the Penn Center on Saint Helena Island, Ferguson was recruited to join a fledgling Music Maker Relief Foundation. In 2003, Ferguson performed at the AmeriServ Johnstown Folkfest. In the early 2000s, he released his albums Guitar Heaven; the seasonal effort, Cool Yule; plus Cool John Ferguson; all issued by Music Maker.

Ferguson was noted by Living Blues magazine for two years running as 'Most Outstanding Guitarist.' His work with Music Maker saw him responsible for scores of albums being recorded by lesser known blues, folk and country artists, many of them at the veteran stage of their careers. He played in a fundraiser for the Foundation in Washington, D.C., with Ironing Board Sam, and was featured in a photographic essay called "Music Makers", which was picked up by Garden & Gun magazine.

To mark the occasion of fellow Beaufort native, Joe Frazier's death in 2011, Ferguson played an electric version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Often dressed in his trademark flat-brimmed stetson hat, Ferguson continued to play his Fender Stratocaster upside down until his death.

Cool John Ferguson died on August 12, 2025, at the age of 71.

Discography Albums Year Title Record label Credited as 2001 Cool John Ferguson Music Maker Cool John Ferguson 2002 Cool Yule Music Maker Cool John Ferguson 2003 Guitar Heaven Music Maker Cool John Ferguson 2007 With These Hands Self released Cool John Ferguson 2015 Live at the Hamilton Music Maker Captain Luke & Cool John Ferguson