Source Material: Joe Willie Wilkins – “It’s Too Bad”

Joe Willie Wilkins was a blues musician from the Mississippi Delta.  He was born in Davenport, Coahoma County, Mississippi, and he grew up on a plantation near Bobo, Mississippi.  As he got older, Wilkins learned how to play the guitar, harmonica, and accordion.  By the early ’40s, Wilkins was known throughout the Mississippi Delta.  That led to an opportunity with Sonny Boy Williamson’s band.  Wilkins replaced guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr. in the band. Soon after, Wilkins relocated to Helena, Arkansas with Williamson.   For the next decade, Wilkins and Williamson performed together on various gigs and on KFFA radio’s King Biscuit Time broadcast.  This broadcast was significant because it provided inspiration and opportunity for Black musicians throughout the Mississippi Delta.

In the ’50s, Wilkins continued his ascent throughout the blues community.  He played guitar alongside other blues musicians, like Houston Stackhouse, Howlin Wolf, and Robert Nighthawk.  By the end of the ’50s, and the ’60s, Wilkins was a reliable sideman.  And although Wilkins was mainly a sideman, his impact was felt amongst his contemporaries.  According to Muddy Waters, Wilkins was the first guitarist from Mississippi that played single string guitar patterns without a slide.  B.B. King also took lessons from Wilkins in the ’40s.  Towards the end of his career, Wilkins started releasing his own music.  In 1973, Wilkins released his debut single, “It’s Too Bad”/”Mr Downchild.”  I like “It’s Too Bad” because the guitar is mean.

Joe Willie Wilkins – “It’s Too Bad”