Fred McDowell

Fred McDowell, a pivotal and influential figure in the Mississippi hill country blues genre, emerged as one of the most dynamic and captivating performers of the 1960s blues revival, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape. In 1959, McDowell, who was then a sharecropper and local entertainer, made his inaugural recordings at his home on a farm situated north of Como, Mississippi, under the astute guidance of renowned folklorist Alan Lomax. The remarkable depth, richness, and originality of McDowell's music resonated globally, garnering him widespread acclaim and recognition, thereby enabling him to record and tour extensively throughout his later years.