Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Blind Willie McTell

Blind Willie McTell (1901-1959)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #30

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

Born in Thompson, Georgia, in 1901, Willie McTell learned guitar from his mother around 1914 and made his recording debut in 1927 after working as a street singer and medicine show minstrel. Over the next nine years he recorded forty-eight sides for four companies under four different names, sometimes teamed with his wife, Kate McTell. A deft guitarist with a sweet voice, McTell made Library of Congress blues field recordings and postwar records for the R&B market as well. He died in 1959. Blind Willie McTell was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1981.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.


Blind Willie McTell, Searching the Desert for the Blues

Heroes of the Blues Featured Musician: Tommy Johnson

Tommy Johnson (1896-1956)
Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #34

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

An outstanding vocalist whose trademark falsetto was widely copied, Tommy Johnson was born around 1896 near Terry, Mississippi. He took up music around 1914 and was influenced by Delta performer Charley Patton, although his guitar playing was far more ragged than his mentor's. Johnson's travels made him a familiar figure throughout the Mississippi Delta. Between 1928 and 1930, he recorded eleven sides, including the popular "Big Road Blues." He died in 1956. Tommy Johnson was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1986.


A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.