William "Big Bill" Morganfield is an American blues singer and guitarist, who is the son of Muddy Waters.
Background
Morganfield was born in Chicago, Illinois. He had little contact with his father. As a child he listened to his father"s records, but also to more popular fare such as The Jackson Five.
He did not begin playing music seriously until after his father"s death in 1983, and then spent six years studying guitar.
Education
Auburn University; Tuskegee University.
Career
He came to music later in life, having first worked as a teacher after earning a bachelor"s degree in English from Tuskegee University and another in Communications from Auburn University. He got his first break in 1996 when he and his band ("The Stone Cold Blues Band" 1996-1998) played at the Blue Angel Cafe in Chattanooga Ton The band consisted of professional Atlanta based musicians that helped launch his career.
In 1998 He then began to play the east coast that led to bigger shows like "The Stan Rogers Folk Fest" and "Montreal Jazz fest".
His first independent album,"Rising Son", was released in 1999 by Blind Pig Records. The album was recorded in Chicago, and featured Paul Oscher, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Pinetop Perkins.
The title cut was featured in the 2004 film A Love Song for Bobby Long. (In 1997 Taxium Records released a demo-intended recording of Big Bill Morganfield called "Nineteen Years Old" without the consent of Big Bill Morganfield American laws do not apply as this recording was taken to Germany for release) In 1999, Morganfield appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival.
Ramblin" Mind, Morganfield"s next album, included Taj Mahal on two songs, plus his song "Strong Manitoba Holler".
Billy Branch played harmonica on the album. In 2009, Morganfield released the album Born Lover, produced by Bob Margolin and Brian Bisesi. In concert, Morganfield performs his own material with an occasional number from his father"s work.
He also performed at a Kennedy Center Honors tribute to his father.
During the 2000s, Morganfield headlined many festivals and performed at venues around the world.