Henry Townsend
continued
At that point I worked back up for other musicians. At that time there wasn't any big breaks. Count Basie was getting the same thing I got for years. Most artists was being ripped off . How much you didn't know was the price you had to pay. I was never too excited about the prestige of being a recording artist. I wrote songs on paper but didn't do me know good because it takes something out of my thinking. I find myself doing a lot of ad lib poetry. The foundation that I needed I didn't have it.
I was with two people that seemed to me to benefit from my services, Walter Davis was one, and Roosevelt Sykes was another. I was always paid more than union musicians. First real tour started in Memphis at a club at Triggs and Florida. I played with Roosevelt Sykes at that time. Travelled to Helena Arkansas, West Helena, and Biloxi Mississippi, New Orleans Louisiana. Was always better received out of town. Roosevelt was a renowned name at that time. But you are always better received when you are out of town, they tend to take you for granted in your home town.
Started playing with Walter Davis. I was on just about 70% of his recordings. More or less playing guitar. I done a little writing for Walter, this piece that John Mayall played not too long ago "Tears Come Rolling" was mine, it was a piece he picked up from my wife. In time I wrote over 300 songs.
It started with the record companies for recognition. A few time Walter was asked to record and I was with him. The money I asked Walter was out of his bracket and the company would pay the rest. They either had to pay Walter a few dollars more, he wanted $1,000 and I asked for $800.00, so it was cheaper to pay me. Bluebird, Bullet Records.. I was first getting checks from those record companies.
I Worked with Robert Johnson a short time. We worked together at speakeasys here in St. Louis, he was a solo guitarist and so was I. Never recorded any material with Robert, though we were open with each other. By the time you realize, it's too late you know.."