Tail Dragger Jones

James Yancey Jones (September 30, 1940 – September 4, 2023), known professionally as Tail Dragger Jones, was an American Chicago blues singer. During those formative years he saw both Sonny Boy Williamson II and Boyd Gilmore perform at a little club named Jack Rabbitts in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Jones was a regular performer in Chicago blues clubs throughout the 1970s and 1980s, releasing a number of commercially unsuccessful singles. His spell in prison aside, it took until 1996 before his debut album, Crawlin' Kingsnake, was issued by St. George Records. He was 56 years old when the record was released. It was followed by the album American People (1998, Delmark Records). A DVD, My Head Is Bald: Live at Vern's Friendly Lounge, was released in 2005. Live at Rooster's Lounge was issued in 2009, also by Delmark Records.

Personal life and death Jones was married six times and had a number of children. He died on September 4, 2023, at the age of 82.

Discography Albums Year Title Record label 1996 Crawlin' Kingsnake St. George Records 1998 American People Delmark Records 2009 Live at Rooster's Lounge Delmark Records 2012 Longtime Friends in the Blues (with Bob Corritore) Delta Groove Productions