In 1946, he recorded some songs for Mayo Williams at Columbia Records, with an old-fashioned combo consisting of clarinet, saxophone and piano; they were released a year later with Ivan Ballen's Philadelphia-based 20th Century label, billed as James "Sweet Lucy" Carter and his Orchestra – Muddy Waters' name was not mentioned on the label. Later that year, he began recording for Aristocrat Records, a newly formed label run by the brothers Leonard and Phil Chess. In 1947, he played guitar with Sunnyland Slim on piano on the cuts "Gypsy Woman" and "Little Anna Mae". These were also shelved, but in 1948, "I Can't Be Satisfied" and "I Feel Like Going Home" became hits, and his popularity in clubs began to take off. Soon after, Aristocrat changed its name to Chess Records. His signature tune "Rollin' Stone" also became a hit that year.
In 1946 he recorded some songs for Mayo Williams at Columbia Records with an old-fashioned combo consisting of clarinet saxophone and piano; they were released a year later with Ivan Ballen's Philadelphia-based 20th Century label billed as James "Sweet Lucy" Carter and his Orchestra – Muddy Waters' name was not mentioned on the label Later that year he began recording for Aristocrat Records a newly formed label run by the brothers Leonard and Phil Chess In 1947 he played guitar with Sunnyland Slim on piano on the cuts "Gypsy Woman" and "Little Anna Mae" These were also shelved but in 1948 "I Can't Be Satisfied" and "I Feel Like Going Home" became hits and his popularity in clubs began to take off Soon after Aristocrat changed its name to Chess Records His signature tune "Rollin' Stone" also became a hit that year