⬇️ BIG WALTER SMITH ⬇️
(4CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Big Walter Smith is Minnesota’s most honored and recognized Bluesman. In
Minneapolis, the legendary “Big Man of the Blues” has been a fixture in
the Midwest’s blues scene since 1970. His 300 pound presence and velveteen
voice have graced nearly every blues and R&B stage in the Midwest, as
well as the finest concert halls, casinos and festivals.
Big Walter has been a mainstay at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth
since its inception in 1988. He is so popular in Duluth that the Mayor
proclaimed August 8, 1997 to be “Big Walter Smith Day” in the city.
There’s hardly a Minnesota music award that hasn’t been bestowed upon Big
Walter Smith both individually and with his band, The Groove Merchants.
The Twin Cities Blues News Best Blues Band (1997). Minnesota Blues Society
Horn Band (1995). Minnesota Blues Society Male Vocalist (1989).
Minnesota’s Black Music Award R&B Horn Band (1987, 1988). Minnesota
Blues Society Recognition Award (1988). Minnesota’s Black Music Award Male
Vocalist (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987).
He was featured in Living Blues Magazine in 1997. He has been honored by
the State of Minnesota for bringing the blues to Minnesota.
Big Walter made history when he became the first blues musician inducted
into the Minnesota’s Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm, MN in 1998. In June
2005 the City of Minneapolis’ Mayor, R.T. Rybak, proclaimed a Big Walter
Smith Day.
In 2005 Walter was given an award for 50 years in the music business by
the staff of the Dug Out Bar. That same year he was also inducted into the
Minnesota Rock Country Hall of fame.
Big Walter’s music career began long before he landed in Minnesota. Born
in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1930. He moved to Kansas City, MO. where he met and
helped a struggling Albert Collins becoming a life-long friend. He also
worked parties with Albert King during the 1960s becoming a life-long
friend with him also. He has shared stages with his other favorite’s B.B.
King and Bobby Blue Bland, whom Big Walter cites as his chief early
influences.
Big Walter moved to Minneapolis in 1970 at the invitation of his friend
and past band mate Damon Lee. He met his wife and band manager, Shirley,
two months later and they’ve been together ever since. Big Walter sang in
Damon’s band The Antares for nearly two years at Papa Joe’s Northern
Supper Club in Minneapolis. Big Walter has had several other bands, Cross
Roads, Big Walter Smith’s Blues revue, and Brass Magic, before settling on
the Groove Merchants in 1985.
The current lineup includes long time guitarist Scott Graves, keyboardist
Tim Wick, drummer Patrick Hulme, bassist Chris Johnson, Trumpeter Dan
Eikmeier and saxophonist Jim Kogl.
Most of the blues musicians in the Twin Cities have played with Big
Walter in the past 37 years and hold him in the highest regard.
Big Walter’s first recording was recorded live at the Whiskey Junction,
Big Storm Comin’ in 1987. In 1994 he released the Grammy-nominated Brother
To The Blues, his tribute to three 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 & The Mellow Fellows.
Midnight Express was released in 1998, followed by Groovin’ in 2001. Big
Walter’s latest release, Running Out Of Time and his re-release of Big
Storm Comin’ is out and doing fine for the big man of the blues. Who some
say when it comes to “Blues” Big Walter Smith is the Chairman of the
Board.
