Conversation so far:
What did James accomplish in the 20s and 30s?
In early 1931, James auditioned for the record shop owner and talent scout H.
C.
Speir in Jackson, Mississippi.
Did he get the part he was auditioning for?
His 1931 records are considered idiosyncratic among prewar blues recordings and formed the basis of his reputation as a musician.
How many people followed his way of doing blues?
As was typical of his era, James recorded various styles of music - blues, spirituals, cover versions and original compositions - frequently blurring the lines between genres and sources.

Question: How was this received by audiences?
Self-contained rewrite: How was Skip James' way of doing blues received by audiences?