Does anyone know if Broonzy identified the Harman Ray photo as Peetie Wheatstraw?
I don't know but it seems highly likely doesn't it? The interesting thing about that "Wheatstraw" photo is that in 1964 it appeared on the cover of a Blues Classics Peetie/Kokomo Arnold compilation but Big Maceo had been 'cut off' and for many years after that it became the standard "Wheatstraw" mug shot. That's still how that photo of Harmon Ray is reproduced, no Maceo to be seen.
When I read Paul Garon's updated Peetie Wheatstraw book, I was struck by the meeting between Wheatstraw and Ray, where Wheatstraw says, "Man, you sing just like me," with Ray responding, "Man, you sing just like me." (pg.58) It had me wondering if Broonzy got the two confused or was conned by a great impersonator.
