In celebration of Black History Month, Williams Baptist University will host blues artist Little Willie Farmer in concert on Friday, February 20. The show, which is sponsored by WBU’s Student Activities Board, is set for 7 p.m. in the university’s Startup Chapel.
Farmer is described as a true blues musician. As a young boy of twelve, the Mississippi native took an interest in music from listening to John R play blues on the radio at night. He has been experimenting with music ever since that time.
Farmer’s first guitar was fashioned from an old Cuban cigar box, bailing wire and a piece of wood. He soon learned that fishing string was better on the fingers and making notes on the guitar. His first store-bought guitar was an old acoustic which he worked and saved for all summer by picking cotton. He later bought an electric guitar from a cousin. Once he began playing the electric guitar he couldn’t stop. He practiced every opportunity he had.
His father and mother were very instrumental in encouraging Little Willie’s talent. They compared Little Willie to his Uncle Waldo-who was known in the family and local community for talent. Little Willie’s dad advised him to keep his guitar tuned and his mother encouraged him to play gospel around the house. On weekends, neighbors came to the Farmers’ house and sang church songs while Little Willie played the guitar. Word of mouth spread the news that fifteen year-old Little Willie could play the guitar and invited to join a quartet.
He eventually played for the Silver Tone, The Rising Sun, The Angelettes, and different churches. He played all through high school and won all the talent shows he entered. He has performed in the Delta with Johnnie Billington, Bobby Rush, in Coffeeville with Lynn White; and the Civic Center in Greenwood. Little Willie has played in Memphis, Chicago, Gospel Circuit in Greenwood. His talent extends across musical lines to gospel, blues, rock and roll, country and Latino music.
Farmer says he enjoys seeing his music grow by teaching others how to play and preserving his cultural heritage.
He has co-produced two CDs, ‘Grassroots Blues’, and ‘Blues in the Hills’ with Davion Daniels and ‘The Sweatman Blues’.
Seating is limited for his February 20th performance at WBU. Tickets are available at: https://littlewilliefarmeratwbu.eventbrite.com.
Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.
