Author Michael Gray came from England and stopped in Thomson last week on his way to Statesboro.
Mr. Gray was at the McDuffie Museum on Tuesday to discuss and sign copies of his book, Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell.
"I put a huge amount of time into researching this book, and I greatly appreciate all the help I received from Thomson and Warrenton," Mr. Gray said.
Mr. Gray read excerpts from his book and played recordings of Mr. McTell.
Mr. Gray said most of his findings came from talking with people who remembered encountering Mr. McTell at some point in their lives, including relatives, school mates and the wife of the mortician who embalmed Mr. McTell's body.
"Willie McTell was unusual for a great artist in that he left not only great work, but a huge amount of love in the hearts of the people who knew him," he said.
Approximately 65 people came to hear the author and purchase his book.
"I really think he made history come alive," Ella Mae Samuels said.
"How he talked about Willie McTell walking on Mt. Pleasant Road, I could just see him. It's so amazing that he was blind and did everything he did."
