Born in Austin, Minnesota,[3] he spent part of his childhood in Hollandale[4] before starting his music career in Duluth.

His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, Mississippi John Hurt, and his self-professed "hero" "Spider" John Koerner.

As a consequence his album 1922 was re-released in Australia on the Level 2 record label in Melbourne.

His music was also featured in the background of a commercial for Gerber Gear entitled "Hello Trouble".

It features the song "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down".