Robert Hicks, known as Barbecue Bob, and born on September 11, 1902, in Walnut Grove, Georgia, was an American Piedmont blues musician. He learned to play guitar from Savannah "Dip" Weaver and later transitioned to a 12-string guitar after moving to Atlanta in 1924. While working at Tidwells' Barbecue, Hicks gained local fame for his performances, leading to his discovery by Columbia Records talent scout Dan Hornsby. Between March 1927 and December 1930, Hicks recorded 68 songs for Columbia Records, achieving significant success with hits like "Barbecue Blues" (1927) and "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues" (1927). He collaborated with various artists, including his brother Charley Lincoln and Curley Weaver. Hicks died on October 21, 1931, at age 29 from complications related to tuberculosis and pneumonia.
