Ruff Stuff Part 1 of 2

D.J.: What is your educational background in regard to the field that you are involved in on the Blues Scene in Austin, Texas? Would we be accurate in saying that you are a blues historian as a hobby or do you have a degree?

T.O.: I have a degree in anthropology with a specialty in folklore and that is what prepared me to be a blues historian.

D.J.: How did you come up with the idea of wanting to archive these old-time bluesmen? When you recorded Mance Lipscomb, did you realize at the time that you were in the company of such a great legend or was it just somebody that you knew about and wanted to record?

T.O.: Ruff Stuff is the best of Texas's guitar blues that I recorded in the 60's. They were all relatively unknown, except for Mance Lipscomb. I knew how special Mance was. I was very honored that he let me record him in his home. I made a documentary of the return of the Texas Bluesmen to Austin for a "Reunion at the Victory Grill" and this brought the black blues scene back to Austin. Shortly after the reunion, I recorded T.D. Bell and Erbie Bowser in the studio.

the interview continues . . .

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