David Scotese tells of a musician selling his soul to the Devil at 'the Crossroad' at midnight. The quote is credited to Tommy Johnson (1896 to 1956). The essay, though is about Robert Johnson (1911 to 1938). I just acquired a book called "The Big Book of Blues". In that book, under the name Tommy Johnson there is a biographical note. According to TBBoB, Tommy Johnson typically made references to having "sold his soul" to the devil to learn how to play. Tommy Johnson had a serious alcohol addiction problem which essentially kept him down in Mississippi and unknown to the broader public. He had two 'hits' Big Road Blues and Canned Heat Blues. In Canned Heat Blues he makes reference to his drinking. Tommy Johnson was a contemporary of Son House and knew him and he was also a contemporary (briefly) of Robert Johnson's. The blues/rock band Canned Heat took their name from Tommy Johnson's hit. Tommy Johnson is the name of the young blues guitarist in O Brother. I always thought that his character was supposed to be Robert Johnson. Is it possible that the Robert Johnson selling his soul to the Devil story is the result of confusion with Tommy Johnson's stories about doing just that?

I'd like to hear some more about Tommy Johnson and his career, especially about his association with Son House and Charlie Patton.

So can anyone guide me to a good source?

Thanks CB