Joshua Barnes Howell, known as Peg Leg Howell, and born on March 5, 1888, in Eatonton, Georgia, was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. He taught himself to play guitar at age 21 and began his music career after losing his right leg in 1916. In November 1926, Columbia Records recorded him for the first time, releasing "New Prison Blues", which was one of the earliest country blues records issued on the label. He collaborated with musicians like Henry Williams and Eddie Anthony, known as Peg Leg Howell and His Gang. In 1963, at age 75, Howell was rediscovered by folklorist George Mitchell and Roger Brown. The recordings from this session were released on the album The Legendary Peg Leg Howell in 1964. He died on August 11, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia.
