Will Fly. "Well, that was very interesting. I didn't know that the first recording of "Rock Island Line" was by Kelly Pace"

To be precise, Kelly Pace, leader, with Charlie Porter,L T Edwards, Willie Hubbard, Luther Williams, Napoleon Cooper, Albert Pate, Willie Lee Jones. RIL was collected from them by John Lomax on 02 October 1934 in the penitentiary at Gould, Arkansas.

It doesn't appear completely certain however, that the Pace recording was the earliest. Lomax recorded another version from Joe Battle, C A Story, Willie Johnson, John Denny, George Jones and Joe Green, also at Gould penitentiary on or about 27 September 1934. That's according to the notes for Document DOCD 5659; Too Late Too Late Vol 12 1917 - 1948.

Either way,by the time Lomax made the Gould Farm trip, Leadbelly was working for him as a driver and general assistant. I'd say there's a good chance that he learned RIL from one or maybe both of the groups whom Lomax recorded.

I do agree about Davenport Blues. Gorgeous tune.