Little Bill Gaither

“Little” Bill Gaither (b. Belmont, Kentucky April 21, 1910 – d. Indianapolis?) – Singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Louisville native Bill Gaither showed up on the Indianapolis blues scene of the 1930s before becoming a prominent recording artist in Chicago. Like so many of his contemporaries, Gaither was strongly influenced by Indy duo Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell. In fact, Gaither penned a few musical tributes in Carr’s honor and sometimes recorded under the name “Leroy’s Buddy.” Furthermore, Gaither and Indy pianist/songwriter Honey Hill emulated the piano-guitar duets of Carr and Blackwell on many of Gaither’s 100 plus songs for Decca, Arhoolie, and Okeh from 1935 to 1941. One of his most historically significant songs is “Champ Joe Louis,” which was recorded one day after Joe Louis reclaimed the heavyweight title from Joe Schmeling in 1938. Gaither’s recording success was cut short when he was drafted into the army, where he was part of the 24^th Infantry Regiment (one of the first African American troupes in combat.) Following the war, he did not return to his music career but rather worked as a busboy at an Indianapolis café. Although the date and circumstances of his death are not known, we know that he is buried at New Crown Cemetery in Indianapolis.