I've been listening a lot lately to Mississippi John Hurt and Elizabeth Cotten, and I've read a few biographical pieces in articles and liner notes. I'm wondering if more knowledgable folks could fill me on the relationship between these 2 great artists. How is that MJH and Libba could have developed somewhat similar picking styles without one having heard the other? Did MJH's 1928 Avalon recordings influence Libba's playing? But I understand Libba wrote "Freight Train" in 1915 or so. Was there a popular performer or style of playing, that pre-dates "Freight Train", which would have influenced a young MJH in Mississippi as well as a young Cotten in North Carolina?

Also, when MJH and Cotten were "re-discovered" in the 50s and 60s, I understand they played on the same festival bill many times (e.g., Newport, Philadelphia Folk Festival). Did they ever play *together*? Are there any recordings of them playing together, or covering each other's songs? Did they ever talk about each other in interviews?

Many thanks!