elmo williams and hezekiah early

Biography

Elmo Williams and Hezekiah Early were both born and raised in the Natchez, Mississippi area, a region steeped in blues tradition. Elmo Williams, born Elmore Williams, Jr. on February 6, 1933, grew up in Fenwick before moving to Natchez as a child. His father, a blues guitarist, died when Elmo was just ten, leaving him to teach himself guitar by ear. Williams began performing at local gatherings as a teenager and, after a stint in the Army, returned to Natchez to play with bands led by John Fitzgerald, often performing at the legendary Haney’s Big House in Ferriday, Louisiana. Though he worked various day jobs, Williams remained a fixture in the local blues scene until the rise of riverboat casinos in the 1990s led him to step back from music. He returned to recording in the late 1990s, most notably collaborating with Hezekiah Early on the acclaimed album 'Takes One To Know One' (1998).

Hezekiah Early, born October 7, 1934, in Anna's Bottom near Natchez, was immersed in music from a young age, influenced by local fife and drum bands and his father, Wilson Early, a fife player. He learned to play multiple instruments and joined John Fitzgerald's band as a teenager, initially on harmonica and later on drums. Early became a central figure in the region's blues circuit, leading his own group, Hezekiah and the Houserockers, and serving as a house band at Haney’s Big House. He developed a unique performance style, simultaneously playing drums and harmonica, and continued to perform and record well into the 2000s, including international festival appearances. The partnership between Williams and Early brought together two authentic voices of Mississippi blues, celebrated for their raw, electrified juke joint sound and deep connection to the traditions of the Natchez area.

Fun Facts

• Hezekiah Early is renowned for his ability to play drums and harmonica simultaneously, using electrician’s tape and a microphone stand to hold the harmonica.
• Elmo Williams tuned his guitar in a unique way, teaching himself to play by ear after his father’s early death.
• Both artists worked regular day jobs for most of their lives—Williams in sawmills, a bakery, and a dairy; Early as a forklift driver and factory worker.
• The duo’s 1998 album 'Takes One To Know One' was recorded after Fat Possum Records tracked down Williams, who had largely left music by that time.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Wilson Early - Hezekiah Early's father, a fife player who introduced him to music and local fife and drum traditions. (Fife and drum band performances) [1930s-1940s]
• Alexander “Papa George” Lightfoot - Natchez-based harmonica player who inspired Hezekiah Early to take up the harmonica. (Local performances and radio shows) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• John Fitzgerald - Band leader who worked with both Williams and Early in the 1950s, performing at clubs and gatherings. (Live performances at Haney’s Big House and other venues) [1950s]
• Jesse Ware - Guitarist who played with Hezekiah Early after Fitzgerald left music. (Hezekiah and the Houserockers) [1960s-1978]
• Leon “Pee Wee” Whittaker - Trombonist who joined Hezekiah and the Houserockers, contributing to their distinctive sound. (Hezekiah and the Houserockers) [1963-1993]
• Fat Possum Records - Label that brought Williams and Early together for their 1998 album. (Takes One To Know One (1998), American Made (2008)) [1998-2008]

Artists Influenced

• Robert “Little Poochie” Jackson - Natchez vocalist who has performed locally with Hezekiah Early, continuing the blues tradition. (Live performances) [2000s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. I Am Somebody (Giant) (I Am Somebody (Giant))

External Links

• Spotify