Dick Waterman (1935-2024) was a legendary promotor, manager, photographer and writer who’s importance in the world of blues music can’t be overstated. In the 1960s, he was a driving force in reviving the careers of blues masters including Mississippi John Hurt, Bukka White, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Skip James, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Son House (as depicted in the 2016 documentary Two Trains Runnin’). He was also Bonnie Raitt’s first manager and was instrumental in getting her career off the ground. Waterman’s photographs count among the most iconic blues photographs. A selection of his works were collected in the 2003 photography book Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive. In 2019, Tammy L. Turner’s biography Dick Waterman: A Life in Blues was published by the University Press of Mississippi. He is a member of the Blues Hall of Fame. The conversation in this episode was recorded in Nashville on June, 28, 2019. Thanks to Joe Funderburk for helping with audio processing. The theme song is performed by Jimmy Hall & The Funky Chester Rhythm Section and written by Andreas Werner (Crazy Chester Music, BMI). Used with permission.
