Can I ask a serious question? Why is it that some (most) of you here act as if you can only play blues if you've felt "pain" and had to pay your "dues"?
"oh my god he's never picked cotton, or had to sell chicken eggs by the side of the road, or never spun out of control on coke, therefore he hasn't paid his dues!" That's one of the laughable things I've ever heard. You middle aged white folks crack me up.
I have done all those things and worse. Therefore I qualify as a real bluesman. Thanks!