Blind Lemon Jefferson , a seminal Blues guitarist and a songster, was born on a farm in Couchman, near Wortham, Freestone County, Texas in the mid-1890's.  Sources differ as to the exact birth date.  Census records indicate that he was born on September 24,1893, while apparently Jefferson himself wrote the date of October 26,1894 on his World War 1 draft registration.  He was one of seven children born to Alex Jefferson and Classie Banks(or Bates)and he was blind or partially blind from early childhood.  Jefferson began playing the guitar in his early teens, and soon after he began performing at picnics and parties.

By the early 1910s,he began traveling frequently to Dallas,where he met and played with fellow Blues musician Leadbelly.  by the 1920s,he was one of the most popular blues singers and has been titled "Father of the Texas Blues".  Jefferson's singing and self-accompaniment were distinctive as a result of his high pitched voice and originality on the guitar.  He was not influential on young blues signers of his generation, however later blues and rock and roll musicians attempted to imitate both his songs and his musical style.  His recordings would later influence such legends as B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Lightin' Hopkins, Canned Heat, Son House, and Robert Johnson.  For more information go to the website.  Wikipedia