Mississippi Fred McDowell (1904–1972) was a pioneering American blues musician whose raw, hypnotic slide guitar style helped define the North Mississippi hill country sound. Emerging from decades of playing at local gatherings, he gained wider recognition in the 1960s folk and blues revival, recording influential albums that showcased his distinctive rhythmic drive and deeply soulful vocals. Though rooted in traditional Delta blues, McDowell’s approach was unmistakably personal and innovative, inspiring generations of artists from Bonnie Raitt to modern blues and rock performers.