Garfield Akers (possibly born James Garfield Echols, probably 1908 – c. 1959) He in addition, he occasionally performed under the name ‘Garfield Partee’. Garfield remains a shadowy figure; knowledge of his life is based almost entirely on reports of a few contemporary witnesses.

The extent of his recordings consists of just four sides, which are nonetheless historically significant. His most well-known song was his debut single "Cottonfield Blues", based on a song performed by Texas blues musician Henry Thomas.

Also in the 1920s, he met guitarist Joe Callicott, with whom he played well into his 40s and who was his second guitarist. they performed on weekends in the Hernando neither were professional musicians. They rarely played outside the Hernando area; they avoided the Mississippi Delta, the real heartland of Mississippi blues, they took a view it was too dangerous for them there and their local popularity in Hernando ensured better income for less effort.

Cottonfield Blues" was Garfield’s' trademark tune, which he had practiced continually on his own as well as with Joe Callicott since about 1926/27; the recording accordingly clearly illustrates how well the Akers/Callicott team was attuned to each other. Garfield’s second recording, was in February 1930, , consisting of Jumpin and Shoutin' Blues / Dough Roller Blues, the latter being a variation of Hambone Willie Newbern's Roll and Tumble. Here, due to the close playing of the two, it is hard to say for sure if Callicott was present as a second guitarist. He is not mentioned, but claimed this himself in an interview. Also, at this session, Joe Callicott recorded his only contemporary release as a soloist, "Travelling Mama Blues", for which Akers is credited as the author.

In the 1940s, Akers and Callicott ended their musical work together, and Akers moved to Memphis, and worked in a flour mill. He often played weekends on Beale Street and performed around Memphis in juke joints. There are conflicting accounts about the date of his death, most often giving the year 1959, Only a few years after his death, in 1962, the compilation Really! The Country Blues 1927-1933 was released and included both parts of Garfield’s Cottonfield Blues.