In June of 2011 a group of relatives came together in Alabama to commemorate a common bond, the late Isaiah "Ike" Zimmerman, an Alabama native originally from Grady. After making his home in Beauregard, Mississippi in the 1930s, Ike would play at the Cemetery at Midnight and he became a mentor to bluesman guitarist Robert Johnson. An accomplished blues guitarist and performer himself, Ike Zimmerman and his wife Ruth took Johnson into their home for over a year where Ike generously taught Johnson, then known as RL, what he knew about the blues. This period of time in RJ life was previously unaccounted for, In this program Grey Brennan, Marketing Manager at the Alabama Department of Travel and Tourism and Steve Grauberger of ASCA interview two daughters of Ike Zimmerman, Loretha Z. Smith and Nelly Ruth Brown with their sons James Smith and Oscar Brown, to try and find more information about this interesting Alabamian and his relationship to Robert Johnson. *** My Only question is her age… If she married in 1948 at age 14 then she would be born in 1934… (RL was supposedly there in 1930-1932 time period,,,)*** Any videos uploaded that include any copyrighted song material is used under the guidelines of fair use in title 17 and 107 of the United States code. Such material remains the copyright of the original holder and is used here for the purpose of entertainment, education, comparison, and criticism only. No infringement of copyright is intended.

9 thoughts on “The Man Robert Johnson met at the Crossroads -Part 1 June 2011

  1. Prometheus…. yes, Thats Ike in the trench coat at 20:55

  2. watch?v=q0hke-cRSCg @ 20.55 Is this a photo of Ike?

  3. BORN: Isaiah Zimmerman- December 1898 to Ned and Candis Zimmerman, – Siblings Lonzo, Loretta, and Harmon . – DATED June 26 1900 Montgomerty County Alabama Dublin Precinct 14…

  4. According to census’ info on Ruth and Loretha, and Draft Card Info on Harmon from  Grady, Al on the Road Crew…
    It is spelled Zimmerman…
    It may have been changed as the family extended…
    See blindman.fr.yuku.com/topic/45703/Ruth-and-Loretha-Zimmerman-1940

  5. Great show sir! Thanks v.much for posting. From England.

  6. Do you mind if I put a copy of these two Ike Zimmerman vids on my channel?

  7. Excellent stuff, Luvthatz!!! I share your liking of things bluesy. Thank You for uploading this! KGD

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