⬇️ SMILIN' BOBBY ⬇️
(1CD)
BIOGRAPHY
One of the most underrated bluesman on the Chicago scene, Smilin’ Bobby has a unique, biting guitar attack and great, tuff vocals, and is an absolutely fantastic entertainer. They don’t call him Smilin’ Bobby for nothin! Smilin Bobby plays most often on small, funky west side taverns, along with his long time running monthly gig at Phyllis’ Musical Inn, along with European Festivals. He recently cut a new CD for Austria’s Wolf Records – Big Legged Woman. He is also the step-dad of great guitarist, Carlos Showers, who can usually be found playing with Grana’ Louise. Smilin’ Bobby always played in small clubs or in corner taverns way out in the suburbs.
He is for many blues lovers the favorite unknown bluesman in Chicago. His guitar style is a cross between Magic Slim’s stinging leads and Magic Sam’s cool little rhythm fills while his great singing doesn’t really sound like anyone else.
In 1958 Smilin’ Bobby started to play music in clubs and playing at Maxwell Street Sunday mornings beginning around 1961 or 62. He became a close friend to Magic Sam and used to hang around at his house. Smilin’ Bobby got his nickname around 62 or 63 because he was always grinning so much. He was influenced by Jimmy Reed and Willie Mabon, also Little Milton, Albert Collins and Albert King.
His guitar style is not Delta Blues it is much more modern, somewhere in between R’n‘B and Chicago Blues, He is now 69 years old and his son Carlos Showers is another great guitar player who played in Willie Kent’s band the Gents.