Black Boy Shine

by Bruce EderAlmost nothing is known of Black Boy Shine, aka Harold Holiday, except that he was based in a section of Houston, TX (which may have been his home) called West Dallas. In 1936 and 1937 he recorded for Vocalion in San Antonio and Dallas, and left behind 18 sides. A smooth vocalist and pianist, his music had a surprising elegance despite the barrelhouse environment reflected in songs like Dog House Blues and Back Home Blues. By 1948, he was said to have been near death from tuberculosis.