William Howard Taft Armstrong, known as Louie Bluie, was born on March 4, 1909, in Dayton, Tennessee. He taught himself to play the fiddle and joined a band led by Blind Roland Martin and his brother Carl Martin. In 1930, as part of the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, Armstrong recorded for Vocalion Records. The group toured extensively, backing musicians like Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie. After serving in World War II, he moved to Detroit and worked in the auto industry until 1971. With a revival of interest in old-time African-American music, Armstrong reunited with Martin and Ted Bogan, recording and performing at clubs and festivals. The documentary Louie Bluie (1985) was released. He received a National Heritage Fellowship in 1990 and performed with younger musicians, releasing his first solo album, Louie Bluie (1995). Armstrong died on July 30, 2003, following a heart attack.
