In 1938 he played in the Carnegie Hall during the first "From Spirituals to Swing concert". The same year he recorded for the Library of Congress. Although he was famous as pure folk blues artist he also played jump blues in a band. From 1941 till 1982 he played together with the guitarist Brownie McGhee (1915–1996). He also played with other folk and blues legends like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Champion Jack Dupree, Blind Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy amongst others.