As a youngster he imitated Holin' Wolf to the delight of his friends, so much that his voice was hoarse much of the time. In his teens he saw Sonny Boy WIlliamson and Sonny Boy is still a strong influence. Another early influence was Boyd Gilmore. James Jones moved to Chicago in 1966 where he met his hero, the Howlin' Wolf at Sylvio's. He has spent the last 20 plus years blaying the little blues clubs on the South and West side of Chicago.
Many blues songs tell of shooting over a cheating woman or a lying man.
After months of feuding, a fight broke out between Tail Dragger and another West Side bluesman, Boston Blackie. Tail Dragger shot Boston Blackie. Tail Dragger was incarcerated in an Illinois prison for 17 months. He claimed self defense.