Ramblin' Thomas

Biography Thomas was born in Logansport, Louisiana, one of nine children in his family. His father played the fiddle, and Willard and his brothers Joe L. and Jesse learned to play the guitar, with Willard particularly practicing slide guitar techniques. He performed in San Antonio, Oklahoma and possibly St. Louis, Missouri, in his subsequent travels. His playing is said to have influenced Black Ace and Robert Johnson.

Compilations of his work have been released on CD by various record companies, including Document Records, in addition to LPs previously issued by Heritage, Biograph, and Matchbox Records.

Discography Ramblin' Mind Blues: Chicago Blues, 1928 Complete Recorded Works 1928–1932 in Chronological Order, Ramblin' Thomas and the Dallas Blues Singers, compilation album (Document, 1992)

His known recorded songs are the following: "So Lonesome" "Hard to Rule Woman Blues" "Lock and Key Blues" "Sawmill Moan" "No Baby Blues" "Ramblin' Mind Blues" "No Job Blues" "Back Gnawing Blues" "Jig Head Blues" "Hard Dallas Blues" (take 2) "Hard Dallas Blues" (take 4) "Ramblin' Man" "Poor Boy Blues" "Good Time Blues" "New Way of Living Blues" "Ground Hog Blues" "Shake It Gal" "Ground Hog Blues No. 2" "Little Old Mama Blues"