The invention of electronic recording in the mid 1920s allowed softer instruments such as guitar to be recorded. The first country blues star was the Texan Blind Lemon Jefferson. Other great bluesmen who recorded in the 1920s included Blind Blake, Blind Willie Johnson, Charlie Patton and Lonnie Johnson. Those following soon after included Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red, Skip James, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt and Rev. Gary Davis. Minnie, Broonzy and L. Johnson played professionally for many years while others died or were forced into retirement by The Great Depression. Hurt, James, House and others not mentioned here were "rediscovered" in the 1960s. Davis moved to New York, performed on the streets, recorded and taught lessons to scores of younger players.

Late in the 1930s Robert Johnson recorded (only a few months before being killed by a jealous husband). He has become the most famous of the the early bluesmen. Another great country blues artist who recorded before (as well as during and after) the "folk revival" was the soulful Texan Lightnin' Hopkins.

As a result of the "folk revival" of the late 1950s and early 1960s , some other artists of the same generation who hadn't recorded before were "discovered" and given a chance to record and tour. Three of the greatest and most influencial of this group were Mance Lipscomb, Elizabeth Cotton and Etta Baker. At the same time younger musicians mastered the style. Many modern artists carry on this tradition.

A few links = Early Blues - Trail of the Hellhound - Country Blues Bibliography - Handbook of Texas Online - WeenieCampbell