Dennis Binder

Dennis Binder (born November 18, 1928) is an American rhythm and blues musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his song "Long Man Blues". Binder began his careers in the 1950s, recording for prominent R&B labels, including Chess Records, Sun Records, and Modern Records. He was also recorded with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm.

Life and career Binder was born in Rosedale, Mississippi, on November 18, 1928. He began singing with his mother and aunts in church. As a child his family relocated to St. Louis, where he was introduced to blues music by a female impersonator named "Toots", who would play St. Louis blues style piano while Binder sat on his lap. His family moved to Chicago around 1939 where Binder taught himself how to play piano, determined to become a recording artist.

According to Binder, he first recorded for Chess Records around 1951. In 1952, Binder began recording with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Turner arranged a session for Binder at Sun Studio in May 1952, but these recordings were unreleased. The song "Love You, Love You Baby" was later included in the 1984 boxset Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950–1956. In 1954, Binder recorded the single "I Miss You So" / "Early Times", backed by Turner for Modern Records in Clarksdale.

Around that time, Binder formed a band with former Kings of Rhythm drummer Bob Prindell and guitarist Vincent Duling in Memphis. Binder relocated the band to Chicago in 1954. Binder worked as a bail bondsman while recording and released music on his own label. He was introduced to Earwig Music Company President Michael Frank by a friend in 2004. This led to Binder signing a record deal with the Chicago-based Earwig label. In January 2007, Binder released his debut album Hole in That Jug. The album featured a mixture of blues, rock 'n' roll, and country.

Discography

Singles

1954: "I Miss You So" / "Early Times" (Modern 930) 1955: "The Long Man" / "I'm a Lover" (United 194) 1959: "Crawdad Song" / "She's Sumpin' Else" (Cottonwood 101)

Albums

2007: Hole in That Jug (Earwig Music)

Featured appearances

1980: Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm, Volume 1 (Ace) 1984: Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950–1956 (Sun) 1993: Ike Turner, Rocks The Blues (P-Vine) 2000: Long Man Blues (Delmark) 2008: Ike Turner, Classic Early Sides 1952–1957 (JSP)