Atlanta Blues Legends: Beverly "Guitar" Watkins

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Atlanta Blues Legends: Beverly "Guitar" Watkins
July 27, 2010
Rhetta Akamatsu
Examiner.com

Beverly "Guitar" Watkins is a wonder. Born in Atlanta in 1939, she is still performing, appearing at Northside Tavern and other venues around Atlanta and at festivals.

Watkins is that rare breed in blues, a female guitar player. Like Memphis Minnie and Bonnie Raitt, she is as known for her guitar virtuosity as her singing. On her page at Music Maker Relief Foundation, she says,

“My style is real Lightnin’ Hopkins lowdown blues. I call it hard classic blues, stompin’ blues, railroad smokin’ blues.'

The Music Maker page also contains the comment:

"If you’ve never seen a blues lady who can play her guitar behind her head, belt out songs and roll over to sweet gospel, you’ve never been in the house when Beverly “Guitar” Watkins was on stage."

Beverly Watkins got her first guitar when she was around 8 years old and once she started playing, she never stopped. She finished high school by correspondence course because she was touring with Piano Red by the time she was in her teens. The band was known by a lot of names, including Piano Red and the Meter-tones, Dr. Feelgood, Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, and other variations, but no matter what the name, Beverly was there on rhythm guitar, throughout the 60's and into the 70's when the band finially broke up.

Things slowed down for Watkins then, but she never stopped playing. These days, she mostly stays close to Atlanta, and in April celebrated her 71st birthday at Northside Tavern.

Watkins' debut recording as a solo artist did not occur until 1999, when she was 60 years old! It was called Back in Business, and it won a W.C. Handy award. She released The Feelings of Beverly Watkins in 2005 and Don't Mess with Miss Watkins in 2007. Music Maker also offers another recording, The Spiritual Expressions of Beverly "Guitar" Watkins.

Keep an eye out here and elsewhere for chances to see Beverly "Guitar" Watkins. You don't want to miss the opportunity!

And for heaven's sake, watch the video. It will tell you all you need to know!