Hi, Im Dwayne Watkins
Im a singer songwriter. At the age of 4yrs old , I began to show signs of what was to come. In kindergarden, I am told that I would stand atop desks and tables and sing and dance till I was stopped. One day when I was about 8yrs old , I went into the band room of Nichols Middle School. Mr Jesse Lee Primer Sr(Band Director)asked me, what would you like to play son;? and I said, trombone.
My grandfather was a truckdriver, my grandmother was a seamstress and she did other odd jobs; must have been quite hard feeding 4 children and an extra 1st grandchild. I asked, may I have a trombone? they said, find something a little cheaper. So the next day in school I saw a man teaching guitar classes: went home and asked, can I have a guitar? they said, find something cheaper. Went back to school and saw a lady teaching "UKELELE"; a small four stringed instrument. And at $12.95 , this was the best gift I had ever recieved.
Now my grandad(Harvey Watkins Sr) was part of a group(The Canton Spirituals) which his brother(Rev I.S. Watkins)had formed back in 1946. I really miss the Reverend, he taught me how to paint and to never wear cheap shoes. One night grandad was on stage singing and he called me up to sing with him. I will never forget the proud look that was on his face; WOW! what a thrill. Harvey Jr moved back home after a brief stay in Chicago,Ill. He was very talented. He noticed me playing my instrument and began to help develope my guitar style. Harvey was voted into the group in 1974. I was very excited because he was closer to my age and to my way of thinking. In 1976, I was voted a member of The Cantons. My stepfather(Mr Curtis Luvell Luckett Sr) bought for me my first electric guitar. I helped to write, arrange, and produce many records on The Cantons; Two of which were grammy nominated(Live In Memphis I in 1993) and (Walking by Faith in 2002). In 2003, we were inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame along with Little Milton Campbell, Lance Bass of Insync, and The Williams Brothers. And after 28yrs of hotels, bright lights, and sleepless nights, I decided it was time for a much needed rest; I retired from The Cantons in august 2003. After about a year of fishing, chilling, and catching up on family and social events, I got a call from and group called The Young Men of Faith(Canton,Miss). They asked me to do a concert for them with them as my backup singers. The house was packed; it was a very good concert. I decided to spend the rest of my life trying to share my experience with young aspiring talents; so I formed THE DWAYNE WATKINS BAND. One of the young men(Mr Edward J Dunigan) came aboard with me. Hes a very nice person with a bachelors degree in music. Later, Mr Cederic Nash came aboard and has diligently there for us as needed. My 19 year old son Javier Watkins is also a member when hes not to busy! In their eyes I can clearly see who I am and who I may become: they are my inspiration. Our new CD "GOSPOLOGY" will be in stores soon. May God bless you all, we will be coming to your area soon.HOLYGHOSTGUITAR!
World Visitor Map=">Dwayne Watkins Band-Smoothin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFVRN0hCjB8
Dwayne Watkins Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwtUXaXIqPg
