About:
Walkin’ Willie:
Walkin’ Willie sings songs
from the Appalachian
Trail
to the Mississippi
regions, using
his trademark dobro
and wooden
guitar.
Style: Folk
& Blues
With a Bluegrass Attitude
The music encompasses
songs about trains, women, whiskey & gospel. These tunes owe as much to Bill
Monroe as Robert Johnson. Blues & bluegrass fans can hear
these styles in a unique Folk interpretation, which originated in the North
Carolina hills. This blended style
has been used by Merle Travis, Doc Watson
& Mississippi John Hurt among
others. The culture of this music
is where the energy comes to life during each live performance!
Experience:
Walkin’ Willie has
shared the stage with Jerry Jeff (“Mr. Bojangles”) Walker, doc Watson and many
other regional & upstate NY musicians. He won the local Stan Rodgers Songwriting contest in 1985 in
Rochester, NY.
He has performed at
many Bluegrass festivals, Blues & Folk venues as a solo performer and with
bands. This includes Rochester’s
harbor Beach Fest with Blue Delta and Manhattan Square Park’s summer concert
series with the Bluegrass band Cabin Fever.
Quotes:
“… Walkin’ Willie
has captured an original folk sound – a mix of Appalachian and Adirondack
flavors… reminds me of the Soggy Bottom Boys singing into the can from the
movie “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou”…
Banjo Bob Tinney, Producer
Blue Mountain Ballad CD
“… deftly blends
pre-war blues with bluegrass roots…”
Dan Bindert, formerly of Rochester City Newspaper, reviewing
DOWN HOME BLUES CD