13 Facts About Jimmy Dotson

James Dent Dotson, sometimes known as Jimmy "Louisiana" Dotson, was an American blues singer, guitarist and drummer.

Jimmy Dotson's best known track was "I Need Your Love", a song he co-wrote with Jerry West.

Over a sixty-year career, Dotson played alongside Silas Hogan, Lightnin' Slim, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Albert King, O V Wright, Rufus Thomas, Ivory Joe Hunter, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, and Isaac Hayes.

Jimmy Dotson released three singles on different record labels between 1959 and 1963.

Jimmy Dotson began his music career singing in local juke joints.

Jimmy Dotson moved on to Memphis, Tennessee, for several years and released another single, "Search No More" backed with "Feel Alright", which was issued by the small Memphis record company Home of the Blues.

Jimmy Dotson moved to Osceola, Arkansas, where he found work drumming for Albert King.

Jimmy Dotson later mastered both the bass and the piano, which proved useful additions, as he then worked as a session musician.

Jimmy Dotson's work included sessions with O V Wright, Rufus Thomas, Buddy Guy, and Isaac Hayes.

However, with the lack of a regular income from music, Jimmy Dotson became a traveling salesman, a job he held for over 30 years.

Jimmy Dotson moved back to Baton Rouge in the early 1980s and maintained a part-time music career, performing at Tabby Thomas' Blues Box club.

Jimmy Dotson suffered a heart attack in 1997, and a resulting stroke and complications from diabetes took their toll.

Jimmy Dotson is not to be confused with the similarly named American soul singer was born on James A Dotson in Baltimore, Maryland, and died in 1991 and who recorded for a string of labels, including Mercury, in the 1960s and early 1970s, although some sources have confused the two.