Connie McBooker was an American blues pianist based in Houston, Texas, United States. McBooker worked with such artists as B.B. King, Hank Ballard, Junior Parker, Cal Green, and L.C. Williams. Background It appears that McBooker was the go-to pianist for backing big name artists who recorded in Houston. The list includes B.B. King, Junior Parker, Bobby Bland and Johnny Copeland. However, he did record for himself on the Eddie’s, Freedom, Sittin’ in With and RPM labels between 1949 and 1953.Big Road Blues, June 8, 2025 - Big Road Blues Show 6/8/25: All The Way From Texas: Houston Texas Piano Pt. 4 – Lonny Lyons, Connie Mack Booker, Buster Pickens, Clarence Green, Teddy Reynolds
Most of his work was as a session performer, but he also had some solo works, most notably "Shout Baby Boogie." Career Working with Eddie Green, McBooker recorded "Short Baby Boogie" bw "Rich Women Blues". Both of the compositions were by L.C. Williams. Credited to Connie McBooker Pianist and Eddie Green Drummer, the recordings were issued on Eddie's 1928 in 1949.45Cat - 78 RPM Record, Artist: Connie Mc'Booker And Eddie Green "Shout Baby Shout", "Ethel Mae" Booker and L.C. Williams recorded "Shout Baby Shout" which was originally released in 1949 single on the Eddie's label. andomandrare channel, Jun 14, 2014 - Connie McBooker Shout Baby Boogie (1949) It was also released as "Shout Baby Shout" bw "Ethel Mae" on Freedom Recording Co. 1517. It was credited to L.C. Williams with Conney's Combo.45Cat - 78 RPM Record Artist: L. C. Williams, Shout Baby Shout "Shout Baby Shout" did well in New York where it was in the WHOM Top Ten.The Cash Box, December 3, 1949 - Page 13 Disk Jockey's REGIONAL RECORD REPORTS, Willie and Ray, WHOM—New York, N. Y., 10. ETHELMAE (L. C. Williams) It was also a National R&B hit. It peaked at No. 8 nationally on the Billboard R&B chart.See MusicVF.com - L.C. Williams "Ethel Mae"
"Shout Baby Boogie" would end up on two compilation albums. One was Boogie Woogie Blues of the 1940s and 1950s, which also had songs by, among others, Lightnin' Hopkins and Professor Longhair. The other is The Real Blues Brothers, which was sold throughout the world, but did especially well in Germany. The title was inspired by the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers, which starred Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.
Further activities Working with Donald Cooks, Connie Mack Booker was the credited vocalist on the song, "Trouble Making Woman" which was the B side of "Dolphin Street Stop" which was released on Jade 202 in 1950 and credited to Donald Cooks and his Band.45Cat - 78 RPM Record, Artist: Donald Cooks, Images
It was reported in the 19 September 1953 issue of The Billboard that Connie Mac Booker had been signed to RPM Records. This took place when Joe Bihari of Modern Records had a three-week tour through America's Mid-West.The Billboard, September 19, 1953 - Page 17 MUSIC
Booker recorded "Love Me Pretty Baby" and "All Alone". Credited to Connie Mack Booker and His Orchestra, the songs were released on RPM 401 in early January 1954.Discogs - Connie Mack Booker And His Orchestra – Love Me Pretty Baby / All AloneThe Billboard, January 23, 1954 - Page 38 TOP RHYTHM & BLUES RECORDS, Other Records Released This Week, Rhythm & Blues, At Alone--Connie Mack Booker Ork (Love Me Pretty Baby) RPM 401; Love Me Pretty Baby-Connie Mack Booker Ork (All Alone) RPM 401
Death McBooker is presumed dead, but no one has been able to confirm this.
References
External links Discogs - Connie Mack Booker Artist Direct - Information page Artist Direct - Information on Blues d'Azur album on which he worked with B.B. King