LEONARD WATKINS BIO

Leonard’s obsession with blues guitar started after hearing the Lightnin’ Hopkins record, ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ as a teen. He then went on a never-ending blues binge of Freddie King, Albert King and other electric blues masters. Muddy Waters struck a note deep in Leonard’s soul and from there it was acoustic blues heavily influenced by Muddy and Johnny Shines. “I would go see Johnny Shines play to a shamefully small audience, the next day I would tune my guitar to an open chord and try in vain to emulate Johnny”. He soaked up the music and attitude of Shines, Muddy, Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ and modern players like John Hammond and Rory Block like a sponge.

Leonard has performed at the 1997 King Biscuit festival in Helena, Arkansas, the 1997 National Slide Guitar festival in Brevard, NC, 2003 City Fest Tuscaloosa, Al as well as many local festivals and clubs. In 2006 Leonard won the Magic City Blues Society Blues Society Battle of The Blues Bands solo/duo category. He then represented the MCBS at the 2007 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tn.

He believes blues is self expression ‘It is impossible for me to feel what Robert Johnson or Muddy felt , I can only play what I feel’. A prolific songwriter he performs originals like the humorous “Wal-mart Greeter” and “Cushy Tushy” as well as his tribute to the civil rights movement and Rosa Parks, ‘Ms Rosa Sat Down”.

Leonard Watkins is not only an accomplished musician but also an ENTERTAINER telling stories with his dry sense of humor, he is a definte crowd pleaser.