“B.B. King’s guitar is named Lucille. My guitar’s name is Geraldine. I ain’t scared of B.B. King, and Geraldine ain’t scared of Lucille!”
Thus goes one of the many “Drink-isms” of South Carolina’s self-appointed Blues Doctor, Drink Small. A resident of Columbia, Small has made numerous recordings and appeared at major blues festivals throughout America, bringing his unique Piedmont blues style and humorous monologues to the world at large.
While blues is his claim to fame, the talented guitarist, pianist and singer can just as easily wrap his inimitable bass voice around soul, gospel, beach, jazz and even country, and most of these styles are on display during a typical Drink Small show. One recent CD title reflected the diversity of his repertoire: “Drink Small Does It All."
He got his start in music as a teenager, playing the organ at Jerusalem Stuckey Baptist Church in Bishopville, and gospel music has always been a great influence. Ten albums and thousands of shows later, it’s clear that Small still likes to keep company with the Lord as well as his fellow man. And judging from the talent that has flowed from his throat and fingers for nearly fourscore years, the Lord likes the company.
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Drink Small
AGE: 78
OCCUPATION: Blues legend
PATH NOT TAKEN: After high school, Drink trained to be a barber. The Blues Doctor might have been the ’Do Doctor.
LATEST CDs: “Hallelujah Boogaloo” and “Drinkism Songs” released by his own Bishopville Records. Available from Drink Small, (803) 254-2123