Awards & Winners

Huddie William Ledbetter

Date of Birth 20-January-1888
Place of Birth Mooringsport
(United States of America, Caddo Parish, Louisiana)
Nationality United States of America
Also know as Leadbelly, Leadbelly and others, Huddie 'Leadbelly' Ledbette, Huddy "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, Huddie Ledbetter, Huddy "Leadbelly" Leadbetter, Huddy \"Leadbelly\" Leadbetter
Profession Singer, Musician
Huddie William Ledbetter was an American folk and blues musician, and multi-instrumentalist, notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the songbook of folk standards he introduced. He is best known as Lead Belly. Though many releases list him as "Leadbelly," he spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on his tombstone, as well as of the Lead Belly Foundation. In 1994 the Lead Belly Foundation contacted an authority on the history of popular music, Colin Larkin, editor of the Encyclopedia of Popular Music, to ask if the name "Leadbelly" could be altered to "Lead Belly" in the hope that other authors would follow suit and use the artist's correct appellation. Although Lead Belly most commonly played the twelve-string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar. In other recordings he just sings while clapping his hands or stomping his foot. The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel, blues about women, liquor, prison life, and racism; and folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding, and dancing. He also wrote songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, the Scottsboro Boys, and Howard Hughes.

Awards by Huddie William Ledbetter

Check all the awards nominated and won by Huddie William Ledbetter.

2001


Grammy Hall of Fame Award
Honored for : Midnight Special
Grammy Hall of Fame Award
Honored for : (Goodnight) Irene / Ain't You Glad

1997


Grammy Hall of Fame Award
Honored for : Negro Sinful Songs