Illinois Entertainer June 2017 | Page 45

Continued from page 18 The dedication has paid off because as a record label owner, singer, songwriter and guitarist, Bill’s music has been racking up acclaim, including a W.C. Handy Award for “Best New Artist,” a Georgia Music Legend Award, a Jus’ Blues Award for the Muddy Water Lifetime Achievement Award and a number one position on the Top 50 Electric Blues Album Chart for Blood Stains on The Wall. His musical talents have also been sought out by the likes of Steven Seagal for a European tour and Tom Waits for a David Letterman Show appear- ance. “Jesus Christ is the best manager in the world, “Bill explained. “He brings peo- ple like Steven Seagal and Tom Waits to my door,” “It’s weird, it wasn’t until I picked up the guitar that I really started understand- ing my father as a person, My daddy said. ‘you gotta go to church to get the feeling.’ I let the spirit take me where the music is. People tell me, ‘you sound like you in church up there.’ That’s my way of touch- ing people. I minister to people and hope- fully help them feel better. Every single time I take the stage, I feel my father’s spir- it. He borrows my body to communicate the songs,”he continues. Big Bill Morganfield will perform at the unveiling of the six-story Muddy Waters mural by Brazilian artist Kobra on June 8 at 1PM at 17 N. State St. He will perform at the Chicago Blues Fest in Millennium Park on June 10th at the Crossroads Stage from 2-3PM. Follow us on Twitter @ie_entertainer ! t h g i R e n o Get It D ions, E X tens olor, ,C Keratin course and of ts! Haircu o Angela Gamb n in Art & sio ProPlayer Percus Gallery, Inc Rock Your World 749 Dundee Road - Wheeling IL Craig Cederh als olm Drums & Voc NKEY SOUL PATCH MO Been Rockstyle d Lately? Gi ft Certific ates available! us on (847) 808-STYL Rockstyles.com june 2 017 illinoisentertainer.com 45