FRIENDS
But
his good nature and concern for his audience almost demand that he keep
it on the light side. Chick, who currently resides in Forsyth, Georgia,
was born in 1934 in Cabiness, Georgia. His dad was a railroad man and
the Willis family moved to Atlanta when he was about 6 years of age. He
was surrounded by music as a youngster and displayed an early affinity
by teaching himself guitar while already having experience with vocals,
learned by singing with a gospel group he and his brother and cousins
sang with at their family church, and other church gatherings. His early
influences included Sam “Lighting” Hopkins, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker,
and Little Milton in the later years. He became good enough in his late
teens to begin working professionally in Atlanta at the old Royal
Peacock Club, where he backed or played with a wide variety of talent
such as Jackie Wilson, The Five Royals, Ray Charles, Big Joe Turner,
Nappy Brown, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Reed, and many others at venues ranging
from the Apollo Theater to the Magnolia Ballroom. He made his recording
debut around this time for the small Ebb record label out of Los
Angeles, California. Chick began working with his cousin, Chuck Willis, a rollicking R&B showman who was later known as the “King of the Stroll”. Throughout the middle 50’s and up until Chuck’s death in 1958, Chick toured incessantly with Chuck’s review all over the country. It was with this band that Chick solidified his concept of a satisfying stage show and emerged from this period with a wealth of valuable experience. Chick has since fronted his own units and has become one of the most in-demand performers on the Blues and R&B circuit. His penchant for raucous humor was undoubtedly primed when he gigged in the 60’s with Rudy Ray Moore of “Petie Wheatstraw” fame. He even snagged a small part in the movie. He also had a small part in the Buddy Holly story. In addition to being a first rate guitarist and vocalist, Chick plays drums, keyboard, harmonica, and bass. Sometimes he plays the guitar with tongue and under his legs. Anything is possible in his pursuit to electrify an audience with his dynamic stage presence.
Instrumentation
Chick Willis - Guitar, Vocals
Pondexter Evans - Bass,Vocals
Big Royal Joiner - Keyboards, Vocals
Ben Irving - Drums, Vocals
Jac Johnson Jr - Guitar,
Jac Johnson-Sax's
Discography
Cooking The Blues/a tribute To Albert King
I Did It All
I Won't Give Up
Nasty Chick
I got a Big Fat Woman
From The Heart And Soul
Stoop Down Baby let your daddy see
American Roots
Footprints In My Bed
Now
Holding Hands With The Blues
Back To The Blues
Y2K Recorded Live
Blues Class Blues