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Big Walter Smith

Photo by Tom Asp

Brother to the Blues

Big Walter Smith moved to Minneapolis in 1970, but his musical career began long before he landed in Minnesota. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1930, he got his start in show business in the 1950s in a rather unlikely role: master of ceremonies for an Oklahoma City vaudeville show featuring female impersonators. Years later Big Walter Smith assisted a then-struggling Albert Collins in Kansas City, becoming the guitarist's lifelong friend. He also worked parties with Albert King during the '60s and has shared stages with B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland, whom Big Walter Smith cites as one of his chief early influences. Big Walter Smith came to Minneapolis in 1970 at the invitation of his friend and future bandmate Damon Lee. He met his wife and band manager, Shirley, two months later and they’ve been together ever since. Big Walter Smith sang in Damon’s band, Antares, for nearly two years at Papa Joes Northern Supper Club in Minneapolis. Big Walter Smith had several other bands (Crossroads, Big Walter Smiths Blues Revue, Night Train Band, Brass Magic) before settling on the Groove Merchants in 1985. The current lineup includes Scott Graves (Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals, Musical Director), Patrick Wilson (Drums), Donnell "PaPa D" Woodson (Bass), Robert Naumchik (Trumpet), Ted "T-Bone" Thomas (Trombone), Jim Kogl (Tenor Saxophone), Scott Hamilton (Sound Engineer). Most of the blues musicians in the Twin Cities have played with Big Walter Smith, and hold him in the highest regard. In fact, many of them joined him at a tribute to his 30 years in the Twin Cities April 2 at Brewbakers in North St. Paul. Big Walter Smith formed his band, the Groove Merchants, in 1985. Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants recorded Live from the Whiskey at Minneapolis' Whiskey Junction nightclub in 1987. In 1990, they released the Grammy-nominated Brother to the Blues (BWS 402), his tribute to three lost blues brothers and friends: Albert Collins, Albert King, and Larry "Big Twist" Nolan (the Groove Merchants have been compared to the late Nolan's group, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows). The bands 3rd CD in 1998 was, Midnight Express. Groovin' was released in 2001. Big Walter Smith is a Minnesota blues legend. He’s got a bluesmans resume second to none and for good reason. He continues to fill clubs and halls and festivals wherever he goes, whether its a raucous West Bank blues joint, a glittery casino stage or belting out the blues with a backdrop of Lake Superior in front of 25,000 Bayfront blues fans on their feet. (quoted from bigwaltersmith.com)

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