Blues singer, piano player and Vaudeville comedian. Butler May began his career as a young child, singing and playing the piano from the back of a pickup truck, performing from porch to porch.
At 14 years old, in April of 1909, he made his professional debut at the Belmont Street Theater in Pensacola, Florida, as a member of "Will Benbow's Chocolate Drops Company". The group included jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton & Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. Arouind this time he picked up the nickname "String Beans".
In July of 1910, he partnered with 16 year old Sweetie Matthews as a comedy team. Together they performed on the Vaudeville circuit from Chicago to New York.
Unfortunately, while other Vaudeville artist moved on to movies & radio, String Beans remained dedicated to the Vaudeville circuit & died of a broken neck, virtually unknown at the age of 23, on November 17th, 1917.
At 14 years old, in April of 1909, he made his professional debut at the Belmont Street Theater in Pensacola, Florida, as a member of "Will Benbow's Chocolate Drops Company". The group included jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton & Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. Arouind this time he picked up the nickname "String Beans".
In July of 1910, he partnered with 16 year old Sweetie Matthews as a comedy team. Together they performed on the Vaudeville circuit from Chicago to New York.
Unfortunately, while other Vaudeville artist moved on to movies & radio, String Beans remained dedicated to the Vaudeville circuit & died of a broken neck, virtually unknown at the age of 23, on November 17th, 1917.
Blues singer, piano player and Vaudeville comedian. Butler May began his career as a young child, singing and playing the piano from the back of a pickup truck, performing from porch to porch.
At 14 years old, in April of 1909, he made his professional debut at the Belmont Street Theater in Pensacola, Florida, as a member of "Will Benbow's Chocolate Drops Company". The group included jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton & Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. Arouind this time he picked up the nickname "String Beans".
In July of 1910, he partnered with 16 year old Sweetie Matthews as a comedy team. Together they performed on the Vaudeville circuit from Chicago to New York.
Unfortunately, while other Vaudeville artist moved on to movies & radio, String Beans remained dedicated to the Vaudeville circuit & died of a broken neck, virtually unknown at the age of 23, on November 17th, 1917.
At 14 years old, in April of 1909, he made his professional debut at the Belmont Street Theater in Pensacola, Florida, as a member of "Will Benbow's Chocolate Drops Company". The group included jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton & Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. Arouind this time he picked up the nickname "String Beans".
In July of 1910, he partnered with 16 year old Sweetie Matthews as a comedy team. Together they performed on the Vaudeville circuit from Chicago to New York.
Unfortunately, while other Vaudeville artist moved on to movies & radio, String Beans remained dedicated to the Vaudeville circuit & died of a broken neck, virtually unknown at the age of 23, on November 17th, 1917.
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