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Blind James Campbell & his Nashville Street Band Interview

Beauford Clay & James Campbell

Born in Nashville in 1906, Blind James Campbell was a blues singer and guitarist who was blinded in a work accident. He and his Nashville street band were active from the ‘30s to the ‘60s, and they recorded and released a record on Arhoolie in 1963 (Blind James Campbell and His Nashville Street Band). He, Beauford Clay, and George Bell talk to Chris about their careers.

James Campbell, Bell Ray, Beauford Ray, George Bell
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  • The Robert Stone Sacred Steel Archive: Elton Noble Interview 00:00
Interviewees: James Campbell, Beauford Clay and George Bell
Interviewer: Chris Strachwitz
Date: 1962
Location: Nashville, TN
Language: English

This is an interview originally recorded for research purposes. It is presented here in its raw state, unedited except to remove some irrelevant sections and blank spaces. All rights to the interview are reserved by the Arhoolie Foundation. Please do not use anything from this website without permission. info@arhoolie.org

Blind James Campbell
James Campbell, Bell Ray, Beauford Ray, George Bell
George Bell, James Campbell, Bell, Ray, Beauford Clay, and Ralph Robinson
photo by Chris Strachwitz © Arhoolie Foundation
James Campbell, Bell Ray, Beauford Ray
photo by Chris Strachwitz © Arhoolie Foundation
Nashville Street Scene
photo by Chris Strachwitz © Arhoolie Foundation
Nashville Street Scene
photo by Chris Strachwitz © Arhoolie Foundation
George Bell, Beauford Clay, Bell Ray, James Campbell, and Ralph
photo by Chris Strachwitz © Arhoolie Foundation

From the Arhoolie Foundation video:
Down Home Music A Journey Through the Heartland 1963

Dear friends, 

We’re thrilled to announce that the Arhoolie Foundation and Les Blank Films are joining together to purchase our longtime home at 10341 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. 

The decision to buy the building comes after several months of thoughtful consideration and a strong response from our community. It has become clear to us that continuing our work in the place where Chris Strachwitz originally conceived it is the best way forward for the organization. Staying in our longtime home preserves an important part of Arhoolie’s cultural legacy, prevents the disruption that moving would cause, and—most importantly—opens up possibilities for closer collaboration with Les Blank Films, Down Home Music, and our local East Bay community.

Now comes the hard part. While we are under contract to buy the building, we need to raise $2.4 million to meet the purchase price by April 15. Here are two ways you can donate to our cause:

  • The GoFundMe page for the capital campaign
    (donations to this fund are shared by all three of the tenants).

  • Direct tax-deductible donations/securities to either of the two non-profits who are buying the building:
    Contact Harrod Blank at Les Blank Films https://lesblank.com/contact/;
    or Adam Machado at Arhoolie Foundation, adam@arhoolie.org.

As we begin this capital campaign, we will continue our normal operations in the building while forging a closer institutional bond with Les Blank Films and taking modest, collaborative steps to bring more public programming into Down Home Music. We plan to revive Les Blank and Chris’ tradition of in-store film screenings and will host more informal, free performances and gatherings in the store as part of our outreach work. We believe this collaboration will result in a vibrant community gathering place dedicated to music, film, and deep roots culture. 

We’re grateful for your support. We look forward to updating you on our progress in the coming weeks and months.