Delta Blues Documentary: Willie Foster - Greenville, Mississippi (1994)

Willie James Foster, often called the “Godfather of the Blues,” was born near Leland, Mississippi in 1921 and played a major role in shaping the Delta blues tradition. As a child growing up in a sharecropping family, Foster bought his first harmonica for 25 cents at age seven, working odd jobs to pay for it. Though much of his youth was spent farming and sharing the family’s burdens, he found comfort and creative spark in music.

Below is a interview of blues singer Willie Foster in Greenville, Mississippi, interview from 1994 (possibly mid-September), sharing his experiences involving the beginnings of his blues career and other experiences.

Excerpted from the documentary, Delta Blues.

From IMDB: "Delta Blues is a one hour music/video documentary tracing the living history of the blues through the rich brown dirt of the Mississippi Delta, and through the lives of these traditional bluesmen."

The full documentary is 60 minutes long. Unfortunately, at this moment, there are no physical copies of this documentary for sale, as of this writing, just a "Currently unavailable." entry on Amazon. So these youtube videos are the only source as of now.

Rising Through Hardship

Foster moved north to Detroit at 17 to work in automobile factories, and later served in Europe with the U.S. Army during World War II. While stationed overseas, he performed for notable figures such as boxing champion Joe Louis and actress Betty Grable during a show for soldiers in London, an early sign of his emerging artistry. After the war, his journey took him to St. Louis, where he played his first paid gig in a modest club and formed a small band, the Three W’s, with local musicians.

Impact in the Blues Scene

Establishing himself on Chicago’s Maxwell Street in the 1950s, Foster joined the city’s vibrant club circuit and played with blues luminaries including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Jimmy Reed. Walter Horton, a harmonica master, helped Foster refine his technique and professionalism. His first recordings came in 1953, and soon after, he performed with Muddy Waters at Carnegie Hall — testament to his growing reputation.

Lasting Legacy

Eventually returning to Mississippi to care for his father, Foster kept the blues alive in local juke joints and festivals, especially around Greenville. He remained an active performer even as physical health challenges mounted, losing both legs and his sight late in life but continuing to play worldwide. In the 1990s, his career flourished as he recorded multiple albums, traveled internationally, and inspired countless musicians through his emotive harmonica playing and heartfelt storytelling.

Foster’s music drew on themes of perseverance, hardship, and community, and his distinctive harmonica style became a signature part of the Delta sound. He died in 2001, remembered not only for his musical achievements but also for his enduring spirit and deep connection to the cultural roots of blues.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Willy_Foster
2. https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com/mississippi-musicians/willie-foster
3. https://mtzionmemorialfund.com/project/willie-foster/
4. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/foster-willie
5. https://bushmanmusic.com/a-tribute-to-willie-foster/
6. https://deltaboogie.com/deltamusicians/fosterw/
7. https://lahoradelblues.com/en/willie-foster-live-at-airport-grocery-my-inspiration/
8. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willie-foster-mn0002293406

More about Willie Foster

Watch more excerpts from the Delta Blues documentary and similar blues videos/interviews from the RawBluesTV youtube channel