This handsome fellow is Mississippi John Hurt. Listening to his music will make you wonder why I think Robert Johnson is so good. He made fingerpicking famous.

Let's not forget Huddie. Leadbelly captured the hearts and spirits of his day, to save them. Today, he remains the most meaningful musician on my top 10 list. Known as the King of the 12 String Guitar, it was his version of Gallows Pole that inspired Led Zeppelin's.

Muddy Waters. His voice rings injustice. His rhythm rings eternal. They say that Muddy Waters invented electricity. He took the meaning and soul of Delta Blues, plugged it into the wall, and went to Chicago.

The only man with more feeling than Muddy. John Lee Hooker leaves the complexity to the young hot shots. He has mastered rhythm and feel. One of the most admired living blues men there is today. Everyone wants to play with him, but he won't leave San Francisco.

This fine man personalized a style of his own. He could play blues, gospel, rag and country. Gary Davis, subtly recognized, is in a class of his own, and has influenced plenty a musician. He also looks like Ray Charles....

One of the Forefathers of Delta Blues, Son House has been around since the beginning. He was known to play with the Likes of Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson.