Published by Routledge (New York & London) in 2002, the book The Voice of The Blues: Classic Interviews from Living Blues Magazine will be inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame this May. Edited by Jim O’Neal and Straight Doper ATOMIC MAMA (Amy van Singel), the book also won an Award of Special Recognition in the Popular Books category from ASCAP at the Deems Taylor Awards in 2003.
Coincidentally, prewar blues singer & guitarist Tampa Red’s composition, “It Hurts Me Too” (Bluebird, 1940) is also being inducted, in the “Classic of Blues Recording: Single/Album Track” category. Other musicians who have covered the song include Robert Nighthawk, Elmore James, Junior Wells, Chuck Berry, the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, among others.
Congratulations, and kudos to you for what appears to be a prestigious career as a blues historian and documenter. The world needs more folks like yourself. I’ll be buying the book as well.
Congratulations! I checked out the book on Amazon and you should be pleased to know that every review is five-star (except one four-star that reads just as good).
I’ve seen them both. Did you note that the LB interview was in 1975, and “Say Amen!” came out in 1980??? Howzabout that!
Also I used to see the string / blues band group Martin, Bogan and the Armstrongs in the '70s. They were wonderful, and Howard was QUITE the artist. He used to make the most astounding pendants, and would give them away to his admirers. Unfortunately, I never got one. I recollect they even toured Peru!
