Ahhh, the washboard players. If you can find an album of Washboard Sam (one of my fave musicians) you'll hear an interesting "piedmont tangent" at work. Sam often recorded in Chigago with his half brother Big Bill Broonzy...BUT... Broonzy Doesn't use the fingerpicking style. He plays flat pick leads. The "Piedmont" rhythm comes from (among others) Big Maceo on piano. These sides swing so much, even I would have learned to dance, if I'd grown up with that music!

As Catspaw alludes, we use all sorts of terms to describe regional music. Obviously some musicians tend to stick with familiar styles, and others go their own way. Here in Toronto we have quite a few players who've been so influenced by a man named Don Ross, that they could be said to play in "Toronto Style". Don does a lot of shows, has made some videos, and teaches...so his influence is constantly expanding. Don would give a great deal of credit to Michael Hedges and Bruce Cockburn.

Take Robert Johnson for example. The first Columbia album of his stuff was called "King of the Delta Blues Singers"...and certainly he was influenced by Charlie Patton and Son House...but listen to all the "Lonnie Johnson" in his playing and lyrics. Listen to "Hot Tamales and they're Red Hot" and tell me that ain't pure "Piedmont". His friend Robert Jr. Lockwood, carried on a lot of Robert's style...but at the time of his death it appears that Robert was already heading in a completely different direction. He was a sponge (they said he could hear a song once on the radio and it was HIS) and hugely creative. Had he lived another ten years, my guess is that his "Delta style" would hardly ever have even been mentioned.

Now Howlin' Wolf....what the hell regional style was he? A true original!

Cheers, and thanks for starting the thread Rolfyboy.

Rick