Page 60 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2023 Digital Edition

Muddy Waters his first audition when he moved to Chicago, and
became a respected patriarch of the Chicago blues club scene in
the early ‘80s. He visited Virginia where I lived in the late ‘70s,
and we ended up becoming friends. Sunnyland’s singing was
every bit as down-home and rough as his playing. Never one to
worry too much about smoothness or finesse, he kept it simple.
“I can holler loud and draw a crowd.” Along with his piano
playing, Sunnyland was famous for his Zen-like sayings. For
example, when asked if a situation caused him angst, he’d reply,
“I worry about that like a buzzard do a bicycle.” Yes indeed.

Leon Blue
Born 1931
Active: 1940s–Present
Leon Blue is still active
and featured as a regular
guest at the Big Blues Bender
and on the Legendary
Rhythm & Blues Cruise.
Combining old school
boogie-woogie in between
non-stop interaction with
the audience (especially
Photo by Ÿ Marilyn Stringer
the females), Mr. Blue is
the real (surreal?) deal. With a career that spans six decades,
the man from Wichita Falls has endless stories and a razor-
sharp memory. Make sure and catch him when he’s in town.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to read the in-depth interview with Living
Legend Leon Blue (yes, that’s his real name!) on page 31.

Last Call:
This list includes only a handful of the great piano masters
worth checking out. Even though their names might not be
well known, their music has certainly endured. As you read
this article, I guarantee that somewhere on open mic night at
the local bar, someone is singing “Everyday I Have the Blues.”
Hopefully this article will open your hearts and encourage
you to seek out these artists. If it does, great. If not, then in the
words of Zen-master Sunnyland Slim: “I worry about that like
a fish does a helicopter.”
Yes indeed.

Rev. Billy C. Wirtz lives in Ocala, FL, with his wife Linda, 10 cats
and a horse. Get in touch at revbilly88@aol.com or facebook.
com/revbilly88. Check him out on Patreon at patreon.com/
revbillycwirtz to become an official member of Rev. Billy’s First
House of Polyester Worship Online Congregation. Member
benefits include Rev. Billy’s monthly bulletin “Missionary
Position,” hand-signed prayer rugs, advance chapters of
his books, radio shows emailed directly, Patreon-only online
concerts, a personal concert at your house and more!

58 Blues Festival Guide 2023