A particular influence during this period was Houston Stackhouse,[4] from whom he learned to play slide guitar[5] and with whom he performed on the radio in Jackson, Mississippi.

[6] Local musicians with whom he played included Henry Townsend, Big Joe Williams, and Sonny Boy Williamson.

[9] McCoy became a familiar voice on local radio stations, including WROX.

A teenaged Ike Turner joined his band as a roadie in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Waters was more marketable, as he was more reliable and a more confident stage performer, gaining him the attention.

This led to further recording sessions and club dates and to his return to Arkansas, where he performed on the radio program King Biscuit Time, on KFFA.

[15] The marker was placed at Friars Point because Nighthawk called the town his home at various times in his itinerant career.