Henry James Townsend

He goes by the name of Henry James Townsend but his friends call him “The Mule”. Though the nickname’s origin is a mystery, it could refer to his stubborn will to keep playing. At the time of this recording, the dean of St. Louis blues and reigning patriarch of the blues, Henry James never had played Dallas in his 94 years. He is the only American recording artist to have recorded in every decade since the 1920’s. Henry’s music is a unique combination of country and city blues, tempered with just the right amount of influences from Lonnie Johnson and Roosevelt Sykes. The best part about Henry is the wisdom he shares with the audience about his life and his music. It’s insightful, provocative and timeless.

Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins

Born July 7, 1913 in Belzoni, Mississippi, Grammy Award winner Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins took up piano mid-career after he was stabbed in the arm. Early on, Perkins accompanied such blues legends as Big Joe Williams and Sonny Boy Williamson. By 1953, he was well known as both a back-up player and solo act. This was also the year he made his first solo recording with Sun Records. Now living in Austin, Perkins used to visit Texas regularly when he played piano for the legendary Muddy Waters Band.
Today, “Pinetop” Perkins is regarded as one of the world’s greatest blues and boogie woogie piano players.

David “Honeyboy” Edwards

David "Honeyboy" Edwards was born June 28, 1915 in Shaw, Mississippi. To listen to Mr. Edwards and his skilled slide guitar playing is to journey back in time to the Mississippi Delta and the street corners of Clarksdale, Mississippi. There, Honeyboy played a pivotal role in shaping the seminal moments of blues history. He is sought after by documentary filmmakers for his detailed accounts of blues folklore, especially his recollections of the day Robert Johnson died. He describes Deep Ellum, east of downtown Dallas, as if it were yesterday. He recounts with incredible accuracy his escapades near the “Central Track” (now Central Expressway) that bordered the west side of this area known for its colorful nightlife in the 30’s and 40’s.

Robert Lockwood, Jr.

Ninety-year-old Robert Lockwood, Jr. or “Robert Jr.” to his friends used to “play” one-month gigs in Fort Worth during the 50’s and 60’s. He learned to play guitar from the legendary Robert Johnson, who lived with Lockwood’s mother during his formative years. He learned his first song, “Sweet Home Chicago”, in about three weeks under Johnson’s tutelage.

Robert is also one of the original King Biscuit Boys who once opened for King Biscuit Time, now the longest running live radio show in America. Today, Mr. Lockwood is recognized as one of the most prolific guitar players in the world. His unique chord progressions have earned him two honorary doctorate degrees for music theory.