B.C. Williamson - The Official Website

 
 
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This marks the first in a series of excerpts from the Blues Bar 12 newsletter, produced by club owner Blind Orange Peel. On This Day looks back on what B.C. was doing on this date in history, many years ago. Stay tuned for more excerpts from the newsletter in the blog, coming soon!



Today, I look back at my chance encounter with English novelist, Beat poet and dramatist Raymond Turk. We met whilst I was in exile in Cuba (pictured) and immediately hit it off. I was instantly struck by his legitimacy and truthfulness - he was just so plausible, if you see what I mean. I had forgotten about the man, if you can forgive me. Old age ain't so easy. But an email from a loyal fan of mine, and friend of Turk's, reminded me of this great man, who I've discovered is still alive and going strong. Anyway, I write today to tell you of his current tour "Shirking the Kirk in the works of Turk"- try and go!
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B.C. singing at a street party for his 60th birthday celebrations, in 1987.

On behalf of everyone here at the B.C. Williamson Fan Club, I would like to wish blues legend B.C. Williamson Happy Birthday on his 82nd year! Words cannot express my happiness at B.C.'s success over the years, so I will just leave you with a classic B.C. quote:

 "Well,  as one of my potential fathers used to say about birthdays - the more you have, the longer you live."
A slightly confused B.C. Williamson, 1987, in response to a question on his slowly increasing age.

- Blind Orange Peel in last week's Blues Bar 12 Newsletter (reprinted with permission)

 
 

You may recognize the famous Connecticut rapper Reh Dogg from his smash hit YouTube video 'Why Must I Cry'.  But now B.C. Williamson is announcing a collaborative single effort between the two. Reh Dogg - in an unprecedented move for rap and blues music - recorded some extra verses for B.C.'s 1953 classic, Shotgun Blues. Meanwhile, B.C. is recording a cover version of Reh's classic 'Why Must I Cry'. The tracks, to be completed this week, will be released exclusively on iTunes download. Also, a music video - mixing new clips of Reh Dogg and classic archive footage of B.C. in his prime - will be produced by both artist's studios. "Of course, rap has roots in blues, so this is a huge move in the history of rap and blues as a music form. I don't think anyone has done this before, so I'm real excited." said B.C. this morning. Stay tuned for release dates and further information.