Dempsey Crenshaw & Danny Banda - The Blues Brought Me Through (2024)

Dempsey Crenshaw was born in Alabama and moved to Dallas in 1961. He began Playing Harmonica at an early age and doesn’t remember being without one.

He played bass and guitar with Bad Boy Gene and The Blue Aces, a band that Dempsey started as a teenager.

He went on to play with a list of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Blues and R & B greats that includes: Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Etta James, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas, The Drifters, T-Bone Walker, Marvin Gaye, Albert King, Freddie King, Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Reed, just to name a few.

Dempsey’s harp style is reminiscent of Little Walter & Jimmy Reed and his guitar style brings to mind the style of B.B.King, with solos that makes it difficult for the listener to sit still.

His vocal style is emotional & gritty, leaving everyone who hears it wondering where has this man been hiding.

Dempsey is one of the last original bluesman is Dallas, Texas. He is a true elder statesman of the blues.

Dempsey’s last recordings include DC & The Capitols- All Night Long, in which Dallas local radio station KNON, used for a compilation blues CD.

He also recently joined up with Legendary Texas Bluesman and 8 time WC Handy Award winner Anson Funderburgh, to do a compilation CD called Mill Block Blues, in which he featured Dempsey’s vocal and harmonica talents, which were used on 4 tracks. Including ; Cut like a knife, Stone cold woman, This is the place and Daddy sang the blues.