Mississippi John Hurt was born on August 3, 1892, in Carroll County, Mississippi. He was one of three children born to Isom Hurt and Mary Jan McCain. Growing up in Mississippi, Hurt was exposed to the rich musical traditions of the Delta Blues, which would later influence his own music.
Despite his humble beginnings, Hurt's talent as a guitarist and singer quickly caught the attention of the music industry. In the early 1920s, he recorded a song at a talent search in Mississippi using a mobile recording studio belonging to the Vocalion Company. His soulful singing impressed the company so much that they flew him out to New York, where he recorded several songs that would go on to become classics of the Delta Blues genre.
While Hurt never achieved widespread popularity in the 1920s due to his gentle, understated nature and aversion to the spotlight, he was rediscovered and revitalized in the early 1960s by a new generation of music lovers. His introspective music and warm image resonated with audiences, leading to a resurgence of interest in his work.
Hurt's influence extended far beyond his own recordings. His music has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, Beck, and Jerry Garcia. His gentle, genteel image and introspective lyrics continue to captivate listeners to this day, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of the Delta Blues genre.
Despite his newfound fame, Hurt remained grounded in his Mississippi roots. He continued to live a simple life, surrounded by family and friends who knew him simply as "John." His music and legacy live on, inspiring new generations of musicians to explore the rich traditions of the Delta Blues.