The five original members of Wet Willie, all from Mobile, Alabama, came together in 1969 and soon realized they had something special. Jimmy was out front, a triple threat on lead vocals, sax and harmonica; as one writer said, “Jimmy Hall was who Mick Jagger wanted to be!” Ricky Hirsch played guitars and wrote or co-wrote much of the band’s material, with Jack Hall, Jimmy’s brother, on bass, Lewis Ross on drums and John Anthony on keyboards.
The band relocated to Macon, Georgia in 1970 where they were signed by Phil Walden’s Capricorn label, and got right to work on their self-titled first album. Upon its release later that year, Wet Willie began a relentless touring schedule, and soon became known as one of the hardest working bands of the Southern Rock era. As they put it, they “opened for everyone from A to Z: Allman Brothers to ZZ Top!”
Their second album, Wet Willie II came out a year later, followed by Drippin’ Wet, a live set recorded in New Orleans that captured the intense energy of their live shows. With the release of their fourth album in 1974, Keep On Smilin’, the band broke into the charts with the title track, hitting number 10 on national radio charts and number one in many Southern markets. Another track, “Countryside of Life,” became a staple of Wet Willie’s live shows and was later covered by country artists Alabama.
Vintage photo of Wet Willie BandAlso featured on Keep On Smilin’ and it’s follow up, Dixie Rock, were female backing vocalists The Williettes, including the Hall brothers’ sister, Donna Hall. They added even more dimension to the band’s gospel and soul sensibilities. Wet Willie also had chart success with the title track “Dixie Rock,” another fan favorite on the band’s set list. Another talented Alabama musician, Michael Duke debuted on Dixie Rock on vocals and organ and stayed with the band through their tenure in the Southern Rock era. The Wetter the Better was recorded in 1976 and became the band’s last studio album for Capricorn.
A second live set, Left Coast Live in 1977 and a greatest hits collection followed before the band entered a period of personnel and record label changes. Emerging in 1978 with a new Epic Records contract, the new line-up included Jimmy and Jack Hall, Mike Duke, Drummer T.K. Lively, and guitarists Marshall Smith and Larry Berwald. Wet Willie’s first Epic album, Manorisms, cut in England at the Manor Studios (thus the title), was released in 1978 and had a more polished, almost pop sheen. The harmony-filled track “Streetcorner Serenade” also hit the charts and became another fan favorite. The band’s last album for Epic followed in 1979. Titled Which One’s Willie?, it included “Weekend” which added a bit of a disco edge and was also well received on national radio.
The members of Wet Willie spent the 80’s pursuing varied projects and regrouped in the early 90’s following a reunion concert in Mobile for Mardi Gras. Photo of the new Wet Willie BandThe core of the band, siblings Jimmy, Jack and Donna Hall-Foster and drummer T.K. Lively remains intact today. Completing the current line-up are long-time members Ric Seymour, a multi-talented vocalist/guitarist; Ricky Chancey, versatile on electric and acoustic guitar, steel guitar and harp; and latest addition, very capable keyboardist Bobby Mobley.
At varied points in their career, Wet Willie has been featured in showcases and displays at the Alabama and Georgia Music Halls of Fame, and in 1976 received the prestigious America’s Music Award from the Alabama Hall of Fame.
Recorded in Woodstock, GA in 2011, Wet Willie’s newest release, Miles of Smiles, on Atlanta’s Hittin’ the Note label, is their first live CD since 1977 and includes their anthem “Keep On Smilin’," along with other crowd favorites and some previously unreleased songs. The band continues to tour, bringing their unique brand of high energy Southern Rock to festivals and other venues throughout the South and beyond.
Booking and press contact:
Terry Reeves, Music Matters Entertainment
(404) 734-6168 or email Music Matters Entertainment
You can also see 'Wet Willie' as The Wet Willie Band on Last.fm.
Official Website: Wet Willie
Dixie Rock
Wet Willie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was feelin' down and out
I was gettin' lost in a shuffle
I was full of pain and doubt
Lord, I had to find me somethin'
I had to have a remedy
Then I heard the jukebox jumpin'
I heard, dixie rock and that dixie roll
Had a real good beat, yes it did
And a whole lotta soul
Oh, yeah
Come on, play some good time music
Just the way we used to do
Any old way to choose it
You know, you just can't lose
So gimme some nasty pickin'
Some blues on a black guitar
Don't you dig that dixie lady
No matter who you are
You love dixie rock and that dixie roll
Got a real good beat, yeah
And a whole lotta soul
I love that dixie rock
It's got that steady roll
And it feels so good y'all
Hey, don't you know
But I can't tell you
What you already know
You know I can't
Such a good feeling
This thing called
Rock and Roll
So, just let it take you
Where you wanna go
Where you wanna go
If they're gettin' tired of trouble
If you're feelin' down and out
Listen to this smokin' shuffle
When we're playin' way down South
You can hear me down in Alabama
We're playin' down in Tennessee
From Georgia to Louisiana
They're dancin' to the boogie beat
Of that dixie rock
And that dixie roll
Got a real good beat
And a whole lotta soul
We love that dixie rock
And that steady roll
Yes, it feels so good
Mama, don't you know
I said, yeah
Yeah, yeah
I said, yeah
Come on
Come on
Come on
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Dixie rock
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Dixie roll
Good times, baby
Play all night, play
Yeah
Dixie rock
In Wet Willie's song Dixie Rock, the singer opens up about feeling tired, troubled, and full of pain and doubt. They were looking for a remedy, and when they walked into a bar and heard the jukebox playing a silly melody, everything changed. The song had a real good beat and a whole lot of soul, and it was called Dixie Rock. The singer was inspired by the music and encouraged the band to play some good time music, just like they used to. The song continues with the singer describing the feeling of listening to music they love, with nasty pickin', blues on a black guitar, and the soulful sound of a Dixie Lady. It's a song about getting lost in the joy of music, and how it can transport you to a place where you feel good, no matter what is going on in your life.
One interesting fact about Dixie Rock is that it was released in 1975, at a time when southern rock was becoming increasingly popular. Bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, and the Marshall Tucker Band were all part of this movement, which emphasized a combination of rock, country, and blues music. Wet Willie was also part of this scene and had a number of hits throughout the 70s.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it was written by Jimmy Hall, the lead singer of Wet Willie. Hall wrote many of the band's songs throughout their career, and he was known for his soulful voice and harmonica playing. He grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and was influenced by the blues and gospel music of the South.
Dixie Rock was one of Wet Willie's biggest hits, reaching number 20 on the US charts in 1975. The song was included on their album Dixie Rock, which also featured other popular tracks like Keep on Smilin' and Country Side of Life. The album was produced by Tom Dowd, a legendary producer who had worked with artists like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Eric Clapton.
In addition to their success in the US, Wet Willie also had a strong following in Europe. They toured there several times throughout the 70s, playing at major festivals and clubs. They were especially popular in the UK, where Dixie Rock became a top 40 hit.
Despite their success, Wet Willie never achieved the same level of fame as some of their peers in the southern rock scene. The band went through a number of lineup changes over the years, and eventually disbanded in the early 80s. Today, they are remembered as an important part of the southern rock movement, and their music continues to be popular with fans of the genre.
Chords:
Verse: G - C - G - D
Chorus: G - C - G - D
Line by Line Meaning
I was feelin' tired and troubled
I was feeling exhausted and disturbed
I was feelin' down and out
I was feeling depressed and defeated
I was gettin' lost in a shuffle
I was feeling confused and disoriented
I was full of pain and doubt
I was experiencing both physical and emotional pain and uncertainty
Lord, I had to find me somethin'
I desperately needed to find something to make me feel better
I had to have a remedy
I needed a cure for my troubles
Then I heard the jukebox jumpin'
I suddenly heard music playing loudly from a jukebox
With a silly melody
The music had a playful and lighthearted tune
I heard, dixie rock and that dixie roll
I heard a type of rock and roll music known as Dixie Rock
Had a real good beat, yes it did
The music had a strong and appealing rhythm
And a whole lotta soul
The music had a lot of passion and feeling behind it
Come on, play some good time music
Please play some upbeat and enjoyable music
Just the way we used to do
Like how we used to play music in the past
Any old way to choose it
Pick any kind of music you like
You know, you just can't lose
No matter what you choose, it will be a good time
So gimme some nasty pickin'
Please play some skillful guitar playing
Some blues on a black guitar
Play some soulful and melancholy guitar music
Don't you dig that dixie lady
Don't you love that type of Dixie Rock music?
No matter who you are
It doesn't matter who you are, everyone can enjoy this music
You love dixie rock and that dixie roll
You have a deep affection for Dixie Rock music and its style
Got a real good beat, yeah
The rhythm of this music is especially strong and appealing
And a whole lotta soul
The music conveys a lot of feeling and emotion
I love that dixie rock
Personally, I have a lot of affection for Dixie Rock music
It's got that steady roll
The music has a consistent and reliable rhythm
And it feels so good y'all
The music is incredibly enjoyable and satisfying
Hey, don't you know
Doesn't everyone know how great this music is?
But I can't tell you
I can't fully express how much I love this music
What you already know
You already know how great this music is, so I don't need to explain
Such a good feeling
The feeling that comes with listening to music like this is incredibly enjoyable
This thing called Rock and Roll
The genre of music known as Rock and Roll is responsible for this great feeling
So, just let it take you
Don't resist this music, just let it affect you in whatever way it does
Where you wanna go
Allow the music to take you to a better place, wherever that may be
If they're gettin' tired of trouble
For those who are experiencing trouble and hardship
Listen to this smokin' shuffle
Listen to this amazing and upbeat music
When we're playin' way down South
We are playing this music in the southern part of the United States
You can hear me down in Alabama
I am playing this music in the state of Alabama
We're playin' down in Tennessee
We are also playing this music in the state of Tennessee
From Georgia to Louisiana
This music is being played in the states of Georgia and Louisiana as well
They're dancin' to the boogie beat
People are dancing to the infectious rhythm of the music
Of that dixie rock
This specific genre of rock music known as Dixie Rock
And that dixie roll
The music has a strong and reliable rhythm
We love that dixie rock
We have a lot of love for this specific genre of rock music
And that steady roll
The music has a steady and reliable rhythm
Yes, it feels so good
This music is so enjoyable and satisfying
Mama, don't you know
Mom, you must know how great this music really is
I said, yeah
I wholeheartedly agree with everything I just said
Come on
Encouraging others to enjoy this music with me
Good times, baby
This music always brings out the good times and positive vibes
Play all night, play
Let's keep the music going all night long
Dixie rock
The genre of rock music known as Dixie Rock
Dixie roll
The music has a strong and reliable rhythm
Yeah
An expression of agreement and enjoyment for the music
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK VIRGIL HALL, JACK VIRGIL JR. HALL, JAMES ROBERT HALL, MAURICE RICHARD HIRSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind