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Updated 12/3/2023

Willie J. Laws Jr.

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

Willie J. Laws is a Master "Bluesman" with decades of experience composing, performing and producing the Blues, Funk, R&B, Conjunto/Tejano, and Country music genres. He toured world-wide with the renowned Blues artist, Phillip Walker, and with Grammy award winning, Los Texmaniacs with accordionist Flaco Jimenez. Willie is one of the few African-American musicians to play "Tejano" music. He has performed in many well-known venues thorough out the US, such as Tipitina's, The House of Blues, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and The Hard Rock Cafe. For 20 years, Willie performed and wrote content for The House of Blues Foundation's Blues Schoolhouse. This interactive program gives a history of Blues music delivered through narration and music for grades 1-12 and the community. He is available for educational and entertaining Performance/Workshops on the history of Blues, appropriate for all ages. This includes a basic song writing experience for children. Performance can include a full band (electric), or Willie alone on electric/acoustic guitar.

Find Me

Joan Laws (She/Her)
Job Title: manager
Phone: 603-986-9161
Fax: 781-821-0478
Address:
97 S Main St
Sharon, MA 02067

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1986

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1986

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Traditional

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Traditional

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
  • Residency - Other
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Cultural Education
  • Residency - In School
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 120

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk
  • Veteran/Active Duty Military Personnel
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region
  • International
  • National

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Awards

Awards:

  • 2012 Massachusetts Blues Society Award
  • 2014-2015 Best blues New Englang Nominee New England Music Awards
  • 2014 Best Blues Nominee Boston Music Awards

Awards

Awards:

  • 2012 Massachusetts Blues Society Award
  • 2014-2015 Best blues New Englang Nominee New England Music Awards
  • 2014 Best Blues Nominee Boston Music Awards

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science

Teaching Artist

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • electricity for guitar(s) and amplifier(s)
  • A PA system (although have a small one if needed)

Fee Range:

$750 - $3,500

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

3

Maximum Number of Performers:

7