leo bud welch

Biography

Leo 'Bud' Welch was born on March 22, 1932, in Sabougla, Mississippi, a rural community in Calhoun County. Growing up in a large family, Welch developed an early passion for music, first picking up a guitar around the age of 12. He learned to play on his cousin's instrument, and by his mid-teens, he was performing publicly, earning the respect of local musicians. Despite his musical talent, Welch spent most of his life working as a logger and cotton picker, playing music at church services and local gatherings in his spare time.

Welch's musical style was deeply rooted in the traditions of Mississippi blues and gospel. He played both genres throughout his life, often blurring the lines between sacred and secular music. His earliest influences included songs he heard on the radio and in films, such as 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' and 'Navajo Trail.' Welch played in church groups like the Sabougla Voices and the Skuna Valley Male Chorus, and occasionally performed at local juke joints. Despite an offer to audition for B.B. King, Welch was unable to travel to Memphis due to financial constraints and remained largely unknown outside his community for decades.

Remarkably, Welch's recording career did not begin until he was 81 years old, when he was discovered by his friend and manager, Vencie Varnado. His debut album, 'Sabougla Voices,' was released in 2014, followed by additional recordings and international tours. Welch's late-in-life emergence brought him acclaim as a living link to the raw, unvarnished blues and gospel traditions of the American South. He continued to perform and record until his death in December 2017, leaving a legacy as a testament to perseverance and the enduring power of roots music.

Fun Facts

• Welch did not release his first album until he was 81 years old, making him a rare 'late bloomer' in the music industry.
• He was once offered an audition by B.B. King but could not afford the trip to Memphis.
• Welch could play for hours at church revivals without repeating a song, and was known for learning new songs after hearing them only once.
• He worked as a logger for over 35 years, carrying a chainsaw through the hills of Mississippi while playing music in his spare time.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• L.C. Welch - Elder cousin who taught Leo to play blues guitar on a homemade one-string wall guitar. (Early informal lessons and musical guidance) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Vencie Varnado - Friend and manager who helped launch Welch's recording career and organized performances. (Management, live performances, documentary 'Late Blossom Blues') [2011–2017]
• Sabougla Voices - Gospel group including his sister and sister-in-law, with whom Welch performed gospel music. (Live church performances, 'Sabougla Voices' album) [1970s–2010s]
• Skuna Valley Male Chorus - Local gospel group Welch performed with regularly. (Live gospel performances) [1970s–2010s]
• Dan Auerbach - Producer of Welch's posthumous album 'The Angels in Heaven Done Signed My Name'. ('The Angels in Heaven Done Signed My Name') [2017–2019]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary blues and gospel musicians - Welch's late-career recordings and performances inspired a new generation of roots musicians seeking authentic Mississippi blues and gospel sounds. (Artists referencing Welch's style in modern blues releases) [2014–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Don't Let The Devil Ride (The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name)
2. Don't Let The Devil Ride - Mono (Tell Everybody! (21st Century Juke Joint Blues From Easy Eye Sound))
3. I Come To Praise His Name (The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name)
4. Praise His Name (Sabougla Voices)
5. I Don't Know Her Name (I Don't Prefer No Blues)
6. I Know I Been Changed (The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name)
7. Poor Boy (I Don't Prefer No Blues)
8. Walk With Me Lord (The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name)
9. I Wanna Die Easy (The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name)
10. Girl in the Holler (I Don't Prefer No Blues)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia