<back - BIG BILL MORGANFIELD - Born in Chicago in 1956, Bill Morganfield was raised by his grandmother in southern Florida and now resides in the Atlanta area. His father's legacy lives on in the tools of his art. Big Bill Morganfield has both Muddy Waters touring amp and the guitars on which he composed some of his earliest works. More importantly, Big Bill Morganfield carries Muddy's spirit and love for the Blues, and says he feels a spiritual bond with his father when he's on stage. "My dad had a reputation for being a very dignified person, a very proud man. He gave us all a certain inner strength to go out and do whatever we needed to do." Musically, his father's influence came somewhat later. "Whenever I got to hear him, it struck me strongly".

It wasn't until after his father's death in 1983 that Bill decided to explore his musical heritage."Daddy always wished that one of his kids would follow him and play Blues music professionally," says Bill, about his father."A few years after he died, I bought myself a guitar and started playing a bit. In my mind, I want to do a tribute to him". Big Bill Morganfield's debut recording, 'Rising Son', was recorded  in the windy city, Chicago where his father recorded so many classic Blues records. The album was produced by Muddy's long time guitarist, and a close friend of Bill's, Bob Margolin, who also played on the record. Three other former members of the Muddy Waters Blues Band also joined Bill in the studio: Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith on drums, Paul Oscher on harmonica and Pinetop Perkins on piano. The combo was completed with the legendary Chicago Blues Master and former Sunnyland Slim band member Robert Stroger on bass. Bill said of the sessions, "It was so inspiring playing with these musicians. Working with them in the studio was a special experience. They really brought out the best in me; those sessions left me with memories I'll never forget." Now with the release of Ramblin' Mind this fulfills Rising Son's promise of greatness and documents the maturation of a major Blues star. Big Bill's story is simply a great one, and as the son of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th Century, Bill has proven himself up to the challenge of meeting many of the burdensome expectations placed upon him. Big Bill's continuing success in presenting a new 'Morganfield Blues' music into the next century that would certainly make his father proud.   MP3- STRONG MAN HOLLER /w TAJ MAHAL |