Roosevelt Holts

b. 15 January 1905, Tylertown, Mississippi, USA. Although he had been singing and playing blues guitar since his 20s, Holts was over 60 before he became known outside of his home area of southern Mississippi and Louisiana. A friend and companion of Tommy Johnson during the 30s, Holts learned to play many of that artist’s pieces. In the 50s, he settled in Louisiana, and it was there he was discovered in the 60s. The Johnson connection seems to have rather preoccupied those who produced his records, but his repertoire was much wider and more substantial, and both his instrumental and vocal skills were remarkable for a performer of his age. For a short time around the end of the 60s, he issued some singles on his own label, Bluesman.