Henry Thomas (1867-?) was an African American blues musician who was active during the early 20th century. He was born in Big Sandy, Texas and spent most of his life working as a laborer in lumber camps and on farms. Despite his humble beginnings, Thomas is remembered today as an important figure in the development of blues music.

Thomas was known for his unique style of playing the quills, a traditional African American instrument that consists of a series of cane pipes that are played by blowing across the tops. He also played the guitar and the ragtime piano. His music combined elements of traditional African American folk music with influences from Mexican and Cajun music.

Thomas recorded a number of songs for the Vocalion record label between 1927 and 1929, including “Fishin’ Blues,” “Fox and the Hounds,” “The Little Red Caboose,” and “Run, Mollie, Run.” These recordings are now considered important artifacts in the history of blues music.

Thomas was also known for his colorful personality and his ability to entertain audiences. He was often seen wearing a suit and a tie even when playing in the most rural and remote parts of Texas. He was also known for his love of whiskey and would often share a bottle with his audience during his performances.

Despite his success as a musician, Thomas continued to work as a laborer for most of his life. He was often forced to perform at the lumber camps and farms where he worked in order to earn extra money. He also continued to travel throughout Texas and Louisiana, performing at juke joints and street corners.

Thomas’ music was largely forgotten during the 1930s and 1940s, but has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in recent years. He is now recognized as an important figure in the development of blues music and is considered one of its pioneers.

Thomas’ influence can be heard in the music of later blues musicians such as Lightnin’ Hopkins and Leadbelly. He is also known to have influenced non-blues musicians such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.

In 1961, a group of musicologists and blues enthusiasts located Thomas living in obscurity in California. He was persuaded to make a few recordings for the Arhoolie label, which were released as the album “Texas Worried Blues.” This album helped to renew interest in Thomas’ music and helped to establish him as an important figure in the history of blues music.

Henry Thomas’ legacy lives on today, not only through his music, but also through the influence he had on later musicians. He was an important link between traditional African American music and the blues that would become one of America’s greatest contributions to world culture. Today, he is remembered as a true pioneer of the genre and a legend in the world of music.

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