Yes, I've Been To Kansas City

Joe Turner was known as "The Singing Bartender" at Kansas City's Sunset Club at 12th and Vine. He wrote Piney Brown Blues as a tribute to the club's owner who was known for his hospitality towards blues musicians.

Actually, there were two Piney Browns. "Big Piney" and "Little Piney" were brothers who migrated to Kansas during World War I from Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Big Piney, the elder of the two, was a protege of politician Felix Payne. Payne was the Mayor of Kansas City at the time and the owner of the Sunset Club and the Subway Club at 18th and Vine. His younger brother, Little Piney, managed clubs, gambling games and promoted prize fights.

It is not certain which Piney Brown is the subject of Piney Brown Blues. Depending on the source, both Big Piney and Little Piney are referenced as manager of the Sunset Club. Regardless, the Sunset Club's Piney Brown was known to have employed many musicians and to give assistance to traveling musicians who were having a hard time. As a result, the Sunset Club became the after-hours locale of choice in Kansas City at that time.