Honours and Awards

Willie always thought his singing should get more recognition than it did; but his bass playing earned him many honors:

W.C. Handy Awards: Best Blues Instrumentalist, Bass
(ten times: 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005)

Critics’ Choice: Most Outstanding Blues Musician, Bass
from Living Blues magazine (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)

Readers’ Choice: Album of the Year 2001
from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin’ Alive (Blue Chicago BC-5006)

Critics’ Choice: Album of the Year 2001
from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin’ Alive (Blue Chicago BC-5006)

France Blues Award: Best Blues Musician, Bass
for the years 2002, 2003

Chicago’s Album of the Year 1998
for Make Room for the Blues (Delmark DE-723)

Library of Congress’ Best Blues Recording of the Year 1991
for Ain’t It Nice (Delmark DD-653)