Shorty Medlocke

Occupation(s)Musician, songwriterInstrument(s)Harmonica, banjo, guitarYears active1969–1982Websitewww.michaelherring.com/shorty

Shorty Medlocke (born Paul Robert Medlock, July 20, 1912 – August 6, 1982)^[1] was an American blues, country and bluegrass musician and banjo player. He is the grandfather of Rickey Medlocke of the Southern rock bands Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd.^[2] Despite his stage name "Medlocke", his real surname officially is spelled without an "e" on the end.^[1]

Starting in 1969, Shorty made contributions to Blackfoot's music. He wrote the Top 40 hit "Train Train" (released on the album Strikes), and played harmonica on the track.^[2] For the follow-up album Tomcattin', Shorty co-wrote the song "Fox Chase" and gave the song a short introduction.^[3] For Marauder, Shorty co-wrote "Rattlesnake Rock 'n' Roller" and played banjo on the track.^[4] Shorty had also appeared on Blackfoot's 1975 debut album, No Reservations, singing a version of "Railroad Man" (which he also wrote). Shorty Medlocke was also one of the inspirations for the song "Ballad of Curtis Loew" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

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