Sonny Boy Terry is a blues harmonica performer and educator who has spent more than four decades performing, recording, and teaching. Over the course of his career he has toured and recorded with Houston blues legends including Johnny Clyde Copeland, Grady Gaines, Joe Guitar Hughes, and Calvin Owens. His work as a session musician has appeared on more than 27 albums, and he has also released two well received CDs on Doc Blues Records that introduced him to international blues audiences as a frontman. Terry is also featured in the 2007 book Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound by Alan Govenar.
In addition to performing, Terry has dedicated much of his career to music education. Since 1984 he has taught private harmonica lessons and has worked with colleges, public and private schools, community organizations, and corporate retreats throughout the Houston area. As founder and former president of the Houston Blues Society, he helped develop the Blues ‘N’ Kids Blues in Schools education program, bringing blues music and harmonica instruction to community centers, schools, and cultural institutions such as Project Row Houses, the Eldorado Ballroom, and the Shape Community Center. During his final year as president, the Houston Blues Society received the Blues Foundation’s Keepin’ the Blues Alive Award for the world’s best blues organization.
Terry enjoys teaching students of all backgrounds, from beginners to experienced performers. His lessons cover a wide range of musical styles including blues, folk, soul, country, gospel, and classic rock, helping students build confidence and add new musical expression to their playing.