BLIND WILLIE WALKER

    Cantante y guitarrista Willie Walker, más conocido como  BLIND WILLIE WALKER nació en Carolina del Sur  ( Greenville ) en 1896, vivió hasta el 4 de Marzo de 1933 que moría tambien Carolina del Sur , ciego de nacimiento emprendió su carrera musical en 1912 con una String Band, en la que conoció a Blind Gary Davis. En los años 20 se asoció con el cantante Sam Brooks, junto al cual actuó en la región y grabó un par de discos para la Columbia. Aquejado de una grave forma de sífilis congénita que le acompañarçia hasta su muerte Ejerció una enorme influencia en los guitarristas de las dos Carolinas. Su estilo, muy próximo al de su colega y amigo Gary Davis, armonizaba magistralmente rasgos del ragtime y el hillibilly blanco con la tradición del Blues . Como suele ser frecuente en la historia de los pioneros del blues las fotografías y la información es más bien escasa. 

                         

Blind Willie Walker (1896 – March 4, 1933) was an early American blues guitarist and singer, who played the Piedmont blues style. He was described by blues musicians such as Reverend Gary Davis and Pink Anderson as an outstanding guitarist, Josh White called him the best guitarist he had ever heard, even better than Blind Blake: "Blake was quick, but Walker was like Art Tatum." In his performances, he was often accompanied by guitarist Sam Brooks.

The birthplace of the blind-from-birth Walker is unknown, but he spent most of his life in and around Greenville, South Carolina. On 6 December 1930, Walker recorded for Columbia Records in Atlanta, Georgia. This session produced his only known titles.

Blind Willie Walker died in Greenville in 1933 at age 37 of congenital syphilis, which may have been the reason for his blindness. On his death certificate he was listed as being a professional musician.

The compositions "Make Believe Stunt" and "Cincinnati Flow Rag" ("Slow Drag"), made famous by Reverend Gary Davis, were attributed to Walker, who had taught Davis how to play the guitar.