North Florida Music Hall of Fame

Born 1917 in Jonesboro, Ark., Waterford started a career as a blues singer in Oklahoma City in 1936. He soon lit for Chicago, where he became a fixture on the Windy City blues scene.  Moved to Los Angeles in 1945, where he briefly worked alongside singer Jimmy Witherspoon in Jay McShann’s band, then returned to Chicago. Recorded for Capitol and King. Came to Jacksonville in mid-1960s to attend Edward Waters College and Luther Rice Seminary and became a minister at Greater Hope and Mt. Zion AME churches. Recorded spiritual music in early 1970s. Waterford was convinced to come out of retirement and made a successful appearance at the 2002 Springin’ the Blues festival backed by the After Hours Band. Waterford died in February 2007 in Jacksonville. Some of his early works have since been re-released.