Label owner, music promoter and clarinetist Joe Mares Jr. was born in New Orleans on August 20, 1908. He founded Southland Records in New Orleans in 1953. The label released recordings by George Lewis, Papa Celestin, Johnny St. Cyr, Papa Jack Laine, Alvin Alcorn, Sharkey Bonano, Santo Pecora, Johnny Wiggs, Nick LaRocca, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, and other local musicians. Southland was sold to George Buck of Jazzology Records in the late 1960s. Joe's brother was trumpet player Paul Mares, of New Orleans Rhythm Kings fame. Joe Mares passed away in New Orleans on August 8, 1991 at age 82. Read more here, here and here. See Joe Mares discography.
1920
Jazz and rhythm & blues pianist, bandleader, singer, and songwriter Dave "Fat Man" Williams was born (Dave Albert Williams Jr.) in New Orleans on August 20, 1920. His songwriting credits include the brass band standard "I Ate Up The Apple Tree". Williams passed away on March 12, 1982 at age 61. See Dave "Fat Man" Williams discography. Listen to Dave "Fat Man" Williams music on YouTube.
1949
Noted bass player Julius Farmer was born in Baton Rouge, LA on August 20, 1949. Farmer worked with Chick Corea, Ellis Marsalis, George Benson, Charles Neville, and many others. Recording credits include releases by The Wild Magnolias, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Professor Longhair and Dr. John. Farmer passed away on November 2, 2001 at age 52. Read more here. See Julius Farmer discography. Listen to Julius Farmer music on YouTube.
1962
Country music singer and songwriter Tony Stampley was born in Springhill, LA on August 20, 1962. He is the son of country music star Joe Stampley. Tony Stampley's songs have been covered by George Jones, Randy Travis, Billy Currington, Hank Williams Jr. (Hank has recorded 17 Stampley songs), and many others. Stampley is currently recovering from a stroke suffered in March 2026. Listen to Tony Stampley music on YouTube.
1987
Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and 4-time Grammy nominee Chris Stafford (Christopher Forest Stafford) was born in Lafayette, LA on August 20, 1987. Stafford was a founding member (at age 11) of the Cajun band Feufollet. He also performed with the bands Racines, the Viatones, Cedric Waston et Bijou Creole, The Bucks, and Chère Elise, among others. His life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Lafayette on May 2, 2024. He was 36. See obituary. See Chris Stafford discography. Watch Chris Stafford videos on YouTube.
1995
Gospel vocalist Paul Foster (Rev. Paul Foster, Sr.) passed away in Vallejo, CA on August 20, 1995 at the age of 75. Foster, a native of Grand Cane, Louisiana, recorded with The Golden Echoes in the late 40's, and was a longtime vocalist with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members, The Soul Stirrers (1950-1963), which also featured the late Sam Cooke. Read more here. See Paul Foster discography. Listen to Sam Cooke and Paul Foster trading verses on "Be With Me Jesus". Watch Paul Foster videos on YouTube.
1999
Blues Traveler bass guitarist Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his New Orleans apartment on August 20, 1999. Coroner Frank Minyard later ruled that the 31 year old musician had died from an accidental drug overdose.
