Willie J. Campbell

Willie J. Campbell was born in Motown and influenced by American Music. Early on Willie spent many nights hanging out at the Golden Bear, listening to the likes of BB King, Freddy King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, etc. Willie’s first band, Southern Select Blues Band, was comprised of his brother Scott, Dave Lee Bartel, and Tom Lai. After a short run they formed a Rockabilly band called The Red Devils. That band would later morph into The Red Devils featuring Lester Butler, Paul Size, Bill Bateman, and the Bartel brothers. Willie spent the next 10 years with The James Harman Band. “James was an incredible mentor, he notes.” Willie honed his skills playing alongside an all-star lineup which included: Hollywood Fats, Gene Taylor, Stephen Hodges, and Kid Ramos. Willie was fortunate to back up or share the stage with a “Who’s Who” in Blues, Soul, Rock, and Punk music. Following the James Harman Band, was a six year run with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. This was another great band that included Kim Wilson, Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos, and Jimi Bott. Willie has been with The Mannish Boys for the last seven years. He has played alongside Finis Tasby, Randy Chortkoff, Bobby Jones, Sugar Ray Rayford, Jimi Bott, Kid Ramos, Kirk Eli Fletcher, and Franck Goldwasser. Willie has been honored several times by the Blues Foundation with nominations for instrumentalist, band, and record of the year. The Blues Music Awards have been a mainstay in recognizing a slice of Americana.