The Sept.-Oct. issue of Living Blues has an article on some of the legal issues involved. One problem was the songs were not copywrited at the time of their release. Stephen LaVere managed to obtain control of the copywrites(and the cash they generated) through an agreement with Johnsons' sister Carrie Thompson, Robert Harris' mother. In June of this year Claude Johnson was declared sole heir to Johnsons' estate.

The whole area of rural uneducated bluesmen dealing with record companies, promoters, agents, etc. is a very seamy business. The musicians got screwed and their backers were held up as being wonderful altruistic people. See I'd Rather Be the Devil by Stephen Calt for more on that.

Robert, your feelings are more important than ours. I would like to hear your side of your suit against LaVere. I would also be interested in hearing any stories your mother might have had about her brother. What did she think about people from all over the world having such an interest in him?