During his short career Hicks recorded 68 78-rpm sides . His first , " Barbecue Blues " , was recorded in March 1927 . The record quickly sold 15,000 copies and made him a best-selling artist for Columbia 's race series . Following this initial success , his next release firmly established him in the race market . At his second recording session , in New York City in June 1927 , he recorded " Mississippi Heavy Water Blues " , a song inspired by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 . This song and his other blues releases were popular , and his records sold better than those of other Atlanta blues musicians
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Barbecue Bob