Dear Mr O'Neal

This is an open Letter to the Blues Foundation and Mr Jim O'Neal (Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee)

Dear Sirs,

I am writing this open letter in the hope that it will be seen and read by those that are part of (or have some influence to bring to the attention of) the distinguished panel of blues scholars that discuss who they believe should be given consideration for induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

The Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the Blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording.
Since it's inception in 1980, The Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into the Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall impact on the Blues.

I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Kent, or of seeing him perform live, but in researching his story for the purposes of creating this web site as a tribute to him, it struck me that his story is the stereotypical story of the Blues, just like so many of the fine blues artists that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame already.

Willie was born into the life of a farmer and was picking cotton at the age of six.
He was taught about the blues by a neighbour signing, drinking and playing guitar on his porch, learning to sing in the church choir and listening to his radio or sneaking out to Highway 61 to hear it all live, being sent to a county prison work farm then heading to Chicago (via Memphis and Florida) where eventually picked up a bass and played with so many of the legendary names of the Blues.

Mr Kent has also won many awards: Critics Choice Awards, two Lifetime Achievements awards and the prestigious W.C. Handy Award Best Blues Instrumentalist - Bass not once, but ten times... all of which are, of course, all fantastic achievements.

I understand that there is no formal submission or nomination process for the induction into the Blues Hall of Fame but surely there is no one more deserving of being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame then Mr Willie Kent.