Johnny Shines, born in Tennessee in 1915, became a well-respected Delta blues slide guitarists. Taught to play the guitar by his mother, he sought the streets of Memphis and played for change on the sidewalk. Shines incorporated himself into the local blues scene by working as a photographer at shows, selling photos to those in attendance. At the age of 20, he left home to travel the country with Robert Johnson, his greatest musical influence. Other musicians who left a strong mark on Shines included Blind Lemon Jefferson and Howlin’ Wolf. In 1991, Shines won a Handy Award for Back to the Country. One year later, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame shortly after his death.