Blind Willie McTell

Blues guitarist Blind Willie McTell was born in Thompson, GA, in 1901. His mother taught him how to play guitar when he was young (accounts differ as to how he became blind; some historians say he was born blind, others that he was blinded as a teenager). When his mother died he left home and hooked up with a succession of traveling medicine shows and carnivals. He played in Atlanta with such blues artists as Buddy Moss and Curley Weaver at various community events, such as fish fries and house parties, and his reputation as a virtuoso on the 12-string guitar grew to the point where in 1927 he recorded albums for Victor Records, and in 1928 for Columbia Records. He continued recording into the 1930s, and because of contractual disputes and obligations, he often used pseudonyms when he recorded for smaller labels. In any case, however, he had a string of respectable hits as both a performer and a songwriter (his most famous composition, "Statesboro Blues", was recorded by The Allman Brothers Band in 1969 and became their signature song when they performed in concerts). After World War II he signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records, and in 1949 with Regal Records. Unfortunately, his albums didn't do well, as by this time his type of music was fading away. He returned to Atlanta, where he went back to his old habit of singing on street corners. In 1981 he was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame. He died in Milledgeville, GA.