wee willie walker

Biography

Wee Willie Walker, born Willie Earl Walker on December 23, 1941 in Hernando, Mississippi, grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was immersed in the city’s vibrant gospel and soul traditions. As a teenager, he sang with the Redemption Harmonizers, a gospel group that included Roosevelt Jamison, and attended Booker T. Washington High School alongside future soul luminaries. In 1960, while touring with the Harmonizers, Walker decided to settle in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he joined the Val-Dons (later Valdons), a local R&B group, and later formed his own band, Wee Willie Walker and the Exciters.[1][3]

Walker’s recording career began in the mid-1960s with Goldwax Records in Memphis, where he released soulful singles such as his cover of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” and “There Goes My Used To Be.” Despite the critical acclaim of his recordings, commercial success eluded him, partly due to missed opportunities and contractual restrictions. He continued to perform locally while working as a machinist and later in health care. In the 2000s, after retiring from his day job, Walker experienced a career resurgence, recording three albums with the Minneapolis R&B band The Butanes and later collaborating with artists such as Rick Estrin and Anthony Paule. His 2017 album, 'After a While,' earned five Blues Music Award nominations and brought him late-career recognition as one of soul’s most expressive voices.[2][3]

Walker's musical style blended the emotive phrasing of Sam Cooke, the grit of Otis Redding, and the smoothness of Al Green, earning him a reputation among aficionados as a 'giant at 5’2”' in the soul and blues world. He toured internationally in his later years, influencing a new generation of soul and blues musicians. Walker passed away in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on November 19, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of heartfelt performances and recordings cherished by soul and blues enthusiasts.[2][3]

Fun Facts

• Walker was nicknamed 'Wee' due to his height of just 5 feet 2 inches, but his powerful voice earned him a reputation as a 'blues giant.'
• He missed a major career breakthrough after mistaking a call from influential DJ John Richbourg (John R) for a prank, losing the chance for national radio promotion.
• Walker worked as a machinist and later in health care for decades, performing music primarily on weekends until his retirement.
• His 2017 album 'After a While' received five Blues Music Award nominations, bringing him international recognition late in his career.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Roosevelt Jamison - Fellow member and mentor in the Redemption Harmonizers gospel group; Jamison was a noted songwriter and producer in Memphis soul. (Redemption Harmonizers performances) [1950s]
• Sam Cooke - Major stylistic influence; Walker cited Cooke as his biggest hero and modeled his vocal phrasing after him. (General influence on vocal style) [Lifetime]

Key Collaborators

• The Butanes - Minneapolis R&B band; recorded three albums and toured together in Europe and Japan. (Right Where I Belong (2004), Memphisapolis (2006), Long Time Thing (2011)) [2004–2011]
• Rick Estrin - Harmonica player and bandleader; produced Walker’s 2015 comeback album and brought him on tour. (If Nothing Ever Changes (2015)) [2014–2015]
• Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra - Collaborated on the acclaimed album 'After a While', which received multiple Blues Music Award nominations. (After a While (2017)) [2017–2019]
• Paul Metsa - Minnesota musician; recorded a live album together. (Live On Highway 55 (2013)) [2013]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary Minneapolis soul/blues musicians - Walker’s performances and mentorship in the Twin Cities inspired a new generation of local artists. (Live performances, mentorship) [2000s–2019]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. There Goes My Used to Be (The Goldwax Story, Vol. 1)
2. I Don't Want to Take a Chance (The Goldwax Story, Vol. 2)
3. Ticket to Ride (The Goldwax Story Vol. 3)
4. The Willie Walk (After a While)
5. I Ain't Gonna Cheat on You No More (The Goldwax Story, Vol. 2)
6. Real Good Lie (Not in My Lifetime)
7. Read Between the Lines (If Nothing Ever Changes)
8. Help! (feat. Curtis Salgado) (If Nothing Ever Changes)
9. If Nothing Ever Changes (If Nothing Ever Changes)
10. I Ain't Gonna Cheat on You No More (Live) (Live! Notodden Blues Festival)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #soul-blues