I think what Joe said about Tommy is true for many blues players I have known.
They developed callouses on their thumb and fingers. I know for sure that was true for Gate Mouth Brown. I think T-Bone Walker played with the nail on his first finger. I am not sure. A lot of water has run down the Mississippi River since the last time I saw him play...lol

Billy

“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”