The Blues Blogger

 

 Miz Dr Feelgood: Play Now | Play in Popup

I recently received an email from a fan of The Blues Blogger. It went on to say how much they liked some of the female blues artists I featured on the site. This person, who is a regular reader of this blog, also asked if I would write another piece that featured a woman with a gutsy approach that may not have seen too much of the mainstream spotlight. Of course there are many too ponder … After giving it some thought, I decided to feature a woman with experience that continues to amaze audiences until this very day …

Beverly (Guitar) Watkins

was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1940. She was influenced by the sounds of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie that would play on her grandmother’s gramophone. Watkins learned to play guitar at the age of eight from several of her aunts who had a quartet called The Hayes Family. Her grandfather also played the banjo and on holidays and other get-togethers, would assemble the family to play. This tradition would be passed on to the young Watkins.

Later Watkins would be exposed to the records of Louis Jordan and Count Basie. She gained inspiration from Charlie Byrd and Basie’s rhythm guitarist, Freddie Green. While attending high school, she was part of several variety and talent shows. She also played trumpet in the school band. With the help of her high school band teacher, her knowledge of piano jazz and blues guitar expanded.

After High School, Watkins established herself playing rhythm guitar with the popular Piano Red and The Interns. This led to bookings outside Atlanta and northern Florida in cities like Chicago, Detroit and Washington, D.C.

In 1965, the guitarist hooked up with Eddie Tigner from the Ink Spots. She toured for close to a year with Eddie before he became sidelined by a stroke. Watkins took a break from the rigorous touring schedule that she encountered for much of the 1960’s. She worked numerous day jobs cleaning offices and working in car washes before joining Leroy Redding. Watkins worked on and off with Redding until the late 1980’s, ultimately creating a residency for herself at Underground Atlanta, an Atlanta nightclub, often accompanied by her son on bass and a drummer. It was here where Watkins developed her singing and harmonica-playing skills.

Her solo debut album “Back In Business,” was released in 1999 as part of the Music Maker Series distributed by Sire Records Group/ Warner Bros. It would receive a nomination for a W.C. Handy Award. The album showcases Watkins’ suppleness and competency in a wide range of styles: roadhouse blues, jazz-inflected blues and rockabilly-blues. Watkins has another CD entitled The Feelings of …

I would describe my style as versatile. Like I can play all types of music. Now, I don’t like reggae. This rap, I don’t like that … but church, blues, bop, rhythm and blues, calypso, stuff like that … I like that real Lightnin’ Hopkins lowdown blues… I would call that hard classic blues, hard stompin’ blues, you know… railroad smokin’ blues.
- Beverly (Guitar) Watkins

Watkins just finished a tour of Australia. People who attend her shows have commented on how much a crowd pleaser she is. For the latest information regarding Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, you can go directly to her website by cllicking below:

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins Website

One thing for sure … The Internet has increased the exposure that many blues artists not backed by major record labels otherwise wouldn’t have seen. I’m glad to see Miss Watkins receive the attention she deserves. She can still kick some serious butt! Thanks for the emails and please make sure you comment if there is anything you would like to add to the post.

Tags: Blues Reflections //