text: who is w.c. handy? who is w.c. handy and hwo did he effect the twenties. he is the father of the blues, not reaolly inventing the form but transcribing them and spreading the music.  he wrote what is often called the first blues song, a campaign song for a candidate for mayor of memphis. he changed it to memphis blues  after the campaign and it became a big hit.  there is a blues award named for him now. lots of info at the web site.