McTell was a twelve-string finger picking guitarist and singer who recorded from 1927 to 1955. One of his most famous songs, “Statesboro Blues” has been covered by many artists including Taj Mahal and The Allman Brothers Band. In 1983, Bob Dylan recorded a tribute song for McTell, using the folk melody of “St. James Infirmary Blues,” although the track went unreleased until 1991. In 1993, Dylan paid further tribute to McTell by recording McTell’s song “Broke Down Engine.”
