This is a fan site set up by Morgan Saint Christopher of Drunken Prayer.
Willis Alan Ramsey is an American singer/songwriter, a cult legend among fans of Americana and Texas country.
Blending folk, country, and pop with witty, introspective lyrics, Ramsey recorded his critically acclaimed debut album for Leon Russell's Shelter label in 1972. It was one of the first albums by the new school of Austin singer/songwriters that would come to be tagged "progressive country" (Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt among them).Owing to conflict with his label, Ramsey left Shelter at the end of his contract.
In the 1980s, he moved to the British Isles to reconnect with his ancestry and study traditional and modern music narrative. At the same time, he enjoyed a revival in the United States, due in part to numerous artists who cut versions of Ramsey's songs, including Jerry Jeff Walker ("Northeast Texas Women"), Waylon Jennings, Shawn Colvin ("Satin Sheets"), Jimmy Buffett ("The Ballad of Spider John"), and Jimmie Dale Gilmore ("Goodbye to Old Missoula"). In 1989, he returned to the United States and began performing again. Backed by Champ Hood, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire (of Uncle Walt's Band fame), Ramsey could often be found on the same bill with another Dallas singer-songwriter, Alison Rogers. The two married in 1991 and continue to perform together. In 1996, Ramsey and Rogers co-wrote Lyle Lovett's hit, "That's Right, You're Not From Texas".
In 2000, Ramsey appeared on Austin City Limits, showcasing his new material, along with his many older classics. He is currently mixing his new album, "Gentilly", an independently release, financed by old friends and fans mostly from the Dallas and Austin area. Co-produced by Willis, Alison Rogers and Jamie Oldaker, guest musicians include Oldaker (drums, percussion); Sam Bush & Tim O'Brien (mandolin, vocals); Viktor Krauss, Roscoe Beck & Freebo (bass); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Walt Richmond (piano, organ); Jo El Guzman (accordian); Marcia Ball, Tommy Malone, Abra Moore & Alison Rogers (vocals). Willis, Alison and Everett Moran are engineering.
Willis is an American original and a national treasure.
