Lead Belly and his wife Martha Promise in 1935.
Huddie William Ledbetter January
23, 1888 – December 6, 1949), was a
folk and blues singer, musician and songwriter notable for his strong vocals,
virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced,
including his renditions of "Goodnight, Irene", "Midnight
Special", "Cotton Fields", and "Boll Weevil". He usually
played a twelve-string guitar, but he also played the piano, mandolin,
harmonica, violin, and windjammer, sang while clapping his hands or stomping
his foot.