“Poor Howard" Stith and Mike "Bullfrog" Rogers bring alive the blues tradition that originated in the Mississippi delta region in the early 20th century. Howard, a scholar of early blues, has been performing for over forty years. Exposed to the music of Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly) at an early age, he carries on the 12-string guitar style that emerged in the 1930’s, and also plays steel guitar in the “bottleneck” style made popular by Son House and Robert Johnson. His guitar work and poignant vocals carry audiences into the world of rowdy barrelhouses or the fields, at the end of a long day of weeding crops.

Mike Rogers draws his harmonica style from the playing of Sonny Terry, and although he has mastered many styles from folk to country, he captures perfectly the southern country blues of the Great Depression. He has opened for John Hammond, Luther "Guitar" Johnson and Emmie Lou Harris. Together, they bring alive this important era of music.

Sponsored by the Friends of MHL.