Frank Frost

Background

Frost was born April 15, 1936 in Auvergne, Jackson County, Arkansas.

Career

Frost began his musical career at a young age by playing the piano for his family church. At the age of 15, Frost left for Saint Louis, where he became a guitarist. At the age of 18, Frost began touring with drummer Sam Carr and Robert Nighthawk.

Soon after touring, he toured again with Sonny Williamson for several years, who helped teach him how to play the harmonica.

Some recordings of note that followed included "Hey Boss Manitoba" and "My Back Scratcher". Frost also recorded for the Jewel label, four years later.

The Sun Records and Jewel Records material was re-released on one Civil Defense by Charly Records of London, England. In the late 1970s, Frost was re-discovered by a blues enthusiast, Michael Franks, who began releasing albums on his Earwig Music Company label by the trio, now called The Jelly Roll Kings, after a song from Hey Boss Manitoba

Frost appeared in the films Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads and Crossroads.

In later years, Frost"s health declined, yet he continued to play. Four days before his death, he appeared with Carr at the King Biscuit Blues. He died of cardiac arrest in Helena, Arkansas in 1999, and is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Helena.

Achievements

• While playing with guitarist Big Jack Johnson, Frost attracted the interest of the record producer Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records.