BIOGRAPHY
“The Stoop Down Man”
It is no exaggeration to state that the blues is one of
the most flexible of musical forms. While most people
associate this music with despair, the down and out, and
the overcoming of adversity, it is also a sanctuary for
much humor about the human condition. While the
majority of performers only hint at this and even fewer
utilize it effectively, hilarity and good times permeate
the music of Blues Recording Artist “Chick Willis”. He
can, and often does lay down some serious Blues. 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.