LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tee Dee Young is considered a blues legend who has been performing for over 50 years. While he is well known for his musical career, until recently, his family history was a mystery to him.
Young’s interest in music began at age 13, when he would go down to the railroad tracks after school to watch men play music. Among them was Mr. Harrison, who taught Young how to play the guitar.
“It makes me happy,” said Young. “I love playing music and I love to see people smile and when they smile and they feel good. You know, music brings everybody together.”
Young would go on to open for Aretha Franklin, get inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, and receive the 2023 Governor’s Awards in the Arts Folk Heritage Award.
“I’m on the stage and I watch my audience and I see how everybody just mingles and comes together and I love that,” said Young.
Young didn’t know about his family background. His grandmother died when his mom was young, which left Young’s mother always wondering about her ancestors. It recently became his mission to learn more about his family, not only for his own curiosity, but to honor his late mother.
“This is something that my mother always talked about,” said Young. “This is something she wanted, but she wasn’t able to figure out how to find her people, so it’s a blessing.”
Willa Relford Gentry researches people who are buried in several cemeteries, including New Zion Cemetery. She connected the dots on Young’s family background and approached him about her findings.
“When I find out something about somebody’s family, I go find that person and tell them because they need to know that and be encouraged to pass it on to their children,” said Gentry.
So far, Young has learned that his great-great-grandfather, Calvin Hamilton, who was once enslaved, went on to buy 23 acres of land when he was freed. That area would become New Zion, a community where freedmen and freedwomen would purchase plots. Hamilton’s house is still standing in the community.
Hamilton also had a grandson named John Buckner, who was the famous Man O’ War’s first groom.
Young also has a great grandfather, Abraham Hychew, also an enslaved man, who was enlisted in the Civil War. Gentry says that it’s likely he took the place of his slave master.
Both men are buried at New Zion Cemetery. A headstone has been created for Hychew and Young looks forward to having it put up.
“It’s even more of a blessing to find out all the history and the background of my ancestors,” said Young.
This journey is not over for Young. He is excited about what he has learned so far and says there is more to be discovered.