Catalog of classic blues recordings, inscribed to Alberta Hunter, the legendary blues singer and songwriter, by Steve Cushing, presenter of the long-running NPR show "Blues Before Sunrise." The book is inscribed "To The Idol of Dreamland," referring to Hunter's performances at the famous Chicago blues club. With the book, a letter from Cushing dated February 21st [1984], thanking Hunter for her interview, which took place less than a year before her death. Following the letter is a typed track list of the three cassettes Cushing has made for Hunter, with occasional typed notes: "Alberta - is this your song?" and "Alberta - didn't you record with this group?" 8vo, 900 pages, clothbound and in fine condition. Letter and tracklist on 3 sheets, 8.5 x 11". Creases and some wear to the edges, otherwise in fine condition.

Cushing writes: "Dear Alberta... I'm writing to say thanks so very much for sharing your time with me while I was in New York... You can't imagine what a thrill it was for me as a fan of the singers of the 1920's to talk to you... To hear first hand accounts of not only your own life story but reminiscents [sic] of other forgotten stars of the era... It's something I'll never forget...I've sent along some things I hope you might enjoy... A couple of cassettes with some old timers including Viola McCoy... Rose Henderson and also some of your labelmates on the Blackswan label... I also thought you might enjoy some early gospel recordings......When you lived in Chicago during the 1920's did you know a dancer/taylor [sic] named Scotty Piper? He's still around and in very good health and I've just completed an interview with him for some future program...I plan to broadcast the interview you did with me on your birthday... I'm trying to track down a few more sides on Paramount to play along with the talk[.] I hope you're feeling well and that perhaps you'll come to Chicago to perform again one of these long old lonesome days... until then...Love & kisses from a fan Steve Cushing / Blues Before Sunrise / P.S. Just wanted to say thank you for talking to me one more time - I realize there must be quite a few demands on your time and it makes me feel all the more honored to have spent part of the afternoon with you...."

Hunter's successful career as a young singer can be traced by her 1921-1940 recordings on the Black Swan, Paramount, Gennett, OKeh, Victor and Columbia labels, on pp. 347-351 of "Blues & Gospel Records." After touring as a cabaret singer in Europe and entertaining Allied troops during World War II, Hunter retired from show business and became a nurse -- only to make a unique comeback in her 80's, recording three further albums with Columbia. Cushing describes his meeting with Hunter on January 30, 1984 in his book "Blues Before Sunrise: The Radio Interviews." Initially reluctant to speak to him, the 88-year-old singer was won over by his plea to shed light on the careers of other lesser-known singers of the 20's and eventually granted him a long and intimate interview. (Cushing, 36-39.)

Sources: Cushing, Steve. "Blues before Sunrise: the Radio Interviews." Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2010.