Raised in Avalon, Mississippi, Hurt learned to play guitar at age 9. He spent much of his youth playing old time music for friends and dances, earning a living as a farm hand into the 1920s. In 1923 he often partnered with the fiddle player Willie Narmour (Carroll County Blues) as a substitute for hi

Gritty, Playful, Repetitive, Rhythmic, Self-reflection, Witty

James was born near Bentonia, Mississippi. His father was a converted bootlegger turned preacher. As a youth, James heard local musicians such as Henry Stuckey and brothers Charlie and Jesse Sims and began playing the organ in his teens. He worked on road construction and levee-building crews in his

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He was born as William James Dixon, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was a producer for Chess and Checker Records in Chicago and is considered one of the key figures in the creation of Chicago blues. He worked with Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Sonny Boy

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Lead Belly was born January 23, 1888, although his gravestone gives his year of birth as 1889. Lead Belly's date of birth has been a matter of debate. The earliest year had been given at 1885, although other sources stated either 1888 or 1889. According to the 1900 census, Hudy (the spelling given in

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