Although less well-known than Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson was a highly influential artist in the Delta Blues movement in the 20's and 30's. In fact, Robert Johnson was particularly taken by and influenced by Tommy's shows. His influence on Robert Johnson and his fame in the Delta were only surpassed by Son House and Charley Patton.
Tommy Johnson was born in Terry, Mississippi(his birthplace is often noted as Hinds County, MS) in 1896. Johnson began to learn how to play the guitar from his brother LeDell very young. After the Johnson family moved to Crystal Springs, MS, Tommy ran away at the age of 16 to begin his career as a 'professional' musician. He played shows for money, including some shows with Charley Patton and Willie Brown. As a collective, they have since been credited as the creators of the Delta Blues. He did not play, however, to advance his career. His shows were a means to an end, earning him money for his raging alcohol and gambling habits. When he wasn't playing, he was either drunk, or gambling or womanizing, or all three. When he couldn't afford or find enough whiskey to satiate his drunken thirst, he was known to resort to Sterno(denatured alcohol used for artificial heat) or drinking shoe polish which he would strain through a loaf of bread.
Rumors spread throughout the Delta about Tommy, just like Robert Johnson. Fans and friends believed that his unrivaled talent was the result of a deal with the Devil. Unlike Robert Johnson, Tommy openly admitted to having gone to the crossroads to learn how to play the guitar and write songs. However, TJ's lyrics did not speak of the Devil nor hoodoo. Tommy was more inclined to sing about his problems with alcohol and women. Some of the rumors of his pact with the Devil spread from his live shows where he was famous for being able to play the guitar behind his head and neck, and could change the tone of his voice from "deep resonant tones to a beautiful falsetto in the same line"**. He recorded very few titles before his drinking habit consumed his talent. He died on November 1, 1956.