Twice-signed TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, February 4, 1961. Letter to Tony Glover, offering thoughts on his partner Sonny Terry for The Little Sandy Review. In full: "There is one way out of two that a man can be: right or wrong, good or bad, true or false, a creator or an imitation, a blues player or a player of the blues, a folk singer or a singer of folk songs, etc. Sonny is all the above underlined. He's not ashamed; his stomping of the foot lets the world know that he's standing on solid originality. He's educated with experience; he lives the life he loves and loves the life he lives, and what he has to offer, he freely gives. He whoops at the good and squalls at the bad. The past he knows, the present he lives; and his thoughts of the future are worth listening to. Therefore, I'll close by saying a man is no greater than his own creation, as long as he believes in what he creates. Whooping and qualling payes for the space he occupys - any place - any time - any where." Below, McGhee hand-writes: "This just a short peace about Sonny I hope you can use it. Will hear from you soon or you'll hear from me. B. McGhee." In fine condition, with light creasing. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in McGhee's own hand, including his signature ("B. McGhee") as part of the return address, given as the Ash Grove folk music club at 8162 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Also includes a typed transcript of McGhee's piece and a typescript of a piece by Mike Russo about Sonny and Brownie's famous collaboration.
From the Tony Glover Collection.
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