Randall "Big Daddy" Webster

Randall “Big Daddy” Webster's Bluesography

Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois (also home to Jim and John Belushi), he snuck into the Windy City’s most notorious Blues clubs. They soaked in the music of Muddy Waters, Otis Span, Junior Wells, Big Joe Turner, and other Blues legends holding school on stage. Webster would often jump the “L” (elevated train) to Maxwell Street where itinerant Bluesmen plied their trade on the corner. Webster’s first guitar, a Harmony Stratatone, came from Duke’s pawnshop north of the old market. He scavenged record bins for vintage vinyl from his new Blues heroes. But eventually Chicago Top-40 radio on WLS and WCFL stole his ears.

The teenage Webster learned how to run a P.A. system, frequently working for area Blues bands in the very clubs he once snuck into as a child. During one sound check with Otis Rush, the band suddenly stopped mid-song only to hear Webster belting out a verse of “I've Got My Mojo Working.” They chuckled loudly, and then Rush said, “Not bad for a skinny white kid!” The Blues flame was lit again and Webster never looked back musically.

Webster polished his vocal skills in the late 1970’s singing jingles for Chicago area radio stations, and sitting in with most any Blues band that would have him. Wrapping his four-octave tenor voice around tunes, Webster frequently was called the “Pavarotti of Blues.” His vocal acrobatics and expressive singing style wrenched every bit of emotion out of each tune.

Eventually he landed at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where Webster hosted a noon hour Big Band Blues radio show on WCIL-AM. Periodically he’d record St. Louis area Bluesmen, and itinerant Blues musicians who lived in the shanties overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Wabash rivers. These Bluesmen are descendents of minstrels who traveled the nation’s waterways. Using an old dreadnought acoustic guitar given to him by Will “Big House” Staughton, Webster picked tunes with his new found Blues friends. When they ran out of cover tunes, they made them up. This was the beginning of Webster’s Blues songwriting.

By the early 1980’s Webster migrated back to Chicago occasionally hosting a midnight Blues show for WAUR-FM, an oldies radio station. His guitar gathered dust. In 1985 a business opportunity in Tallahassee, Florida brought him south. Suffering through too many of Chicago’s brutal winters, the Sunshine state was very appealing. Once in Tallahassee, Webster hit the Blues jams to check out the scene. As his Tallahassee Blues circle grew, so did the idea of developing a horn based Blues band. By 1986 the “Mighty Big Blues Band” was born. With 5 horns, 3 backup singers, lead and rhythm guitarists, keys, bass and drums; the 13 piece group earned it’s name and reputation with a “wall of sound” as he belted out Blues and Soul classics. Their “Big Band” sound instantly captured audiences. During this tenure, master Blues harp player Lincoln “Chicago Beau” Beauchamp dubbed Webster “Big Daddy” while doing a show together. Beau marveled at Webster belting out tunes over his horn section saying, “The only thing bigger than ‘Big Daddy’ is his voice!” Unfortunately, keeping “The Mighty Big Blues Band” together was difficult and the band folded after one CD and three successful years.

Next up was a 5-piece Soul/Funk group, “The Jive Rockets.” Exploring music by the Isley Brothers, James Brown, Al Green, Bobby Blue Bland, and other Blues-based crossover artists brought a contemporary flare to “Big Daddy’s” sound. Webster had written over 300 tunes, performing many of them live. After a year with “The Jive Rockets” Webster jumped ship to the Jazz-fusion group “Zing” looking to push his “musical envelope,” but he never left the Blues behind. His formally trained “Zing” band mates helped Webster polish his guitar work and songwriting skills, and he learned how to put it all on paper.

Before long the Blues beckoned again. “Big Daddy” searched for the right musicians to play in his new group “Red Hot Java.” He wanted to meld his Chicago roots with the New Orleans musical gumbo he tasted on numerous trips there. Original “Red Hot Java” bassist Michael “Crash” Grief and drummer Ron “Bruno” Wilson were refugees from “The Mighty Big Blues Band.” Guitarist Curtis “Cortez” Hightman played with Webster at several Blues jams. When they convened for a session it was magical. With a couple gigs under their belt, they recorded a live CD at the venerable Dave’s CC Club (now the Bradfordville Blues Club), a Tallahassee landmark “jook joint.” Three years and two European tours later came their first studio CD “The 24th Hour” featuring 9 Webster penned tunes and 2 covers. The critically acclaimed 1997 release charted an Irish tune turned into Blues, “Dirty Old Town.” Now going on their 10th year “Big Daddy & Red Hot Java” has had a horn section, 16 drummers, 4 bass players, and 5 lead guitarists through the years. Their spring 2001 CD release “Firebrewed” features 9 “Big Daddy” tunes and a Slim Harpo inspired tune. The current Red Hot Java lineup includes Joël Johnson on lead guitar, J. “General” Mills on drums, and Michael Greif on bass.

Webster is a founding member of the Apalachee Blues Society, and served on their board of directors for 7 years. He performs “Blues-In-Schools” programs for elementary through college level students, sometimes with Blues legend Charles Atkins at Florida State University. Remaining true to the Blues heritage, Randall “Big Daddy” Webster has developed an original style called Progressive Urban Blues, which features Soul, Funk, R&B, Jazz, and Hip Hop influences. His solo shows combine original and classic Blues and the stories behind the music for “Big Daddy’s Blues Stories.” Show less

Critic's Quotes

“After years of playing rhythm guitar to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival's flashy lead, George's Music Springing the Blues appears ready to step into the spotlight for a solo. …Yesterday's festivities drew an estimated 20,000 people to performances by artists including Fruteland Jackson and Big Daddy & Red Hot Java. …Big Daddy had them dancing on the beach!” - Nick Marino (Florida) Times-Union 4/02

(Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s) Firebrewed got me burning! Exciting, soulful, sexy, deep, undulating Blues with a kick... that's what Big Daddy & Red Hot Java delivers with it's Firebrewed CD

Critic's Quotes

(Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s) Firebrewed got me burning! Exciting, soulful, sexy, deep, undulating Blues with a kick... that's what Big Daddy & Red Hot Java delivers with it's Firebrewed CD. If Blues ever needs an anthem, “This Is My Blues Too” fills the bill extremely well. “Thousand Shades Of Blue” is one of the best Blues ballads I've heard in years, and the title cut “Firebrewed” jumps out of the speakers and grabs me everytime... almost like I've lived it. Friends tell me Big Daddy & Red Hot Java's live show is even better than the CD. I can't wait to catch one! - Kuanna Adams Kittles CDBaby.com 4/02

“Big Daddy’s Blues Stories” is a powerful acoustic tour through America’s great indigenous music of the Blues. Randall “Big Daddy” Webster is often called the “Pavarotti of Blues” as he wraps his four-octave voice around each note squeezing out every drop of emotion. Making “Blues Stories” even more special is the deeper understanding of the raw emotion behind the music as distilled through Webster’s years of performing, and teaching Blues-In-Schools. Master Blues harmonica player Michael “Doc” Palecki’s magical reed work brings texture and dynamic punch to a foot-stomping hand-clapping show. With “Big Daddy’s” capable guitar fretwork and booming voice, plus “Doc’s” magical harp, the wild hoodoo & voodoo of “Big Daddy’s Blues Stories’” will leave you spellbound and wanting more. You don’t want to miss this incredible live performance! -Vincent Cameretti The Chicago Tribune 12/01

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s new line up is quite impressive. J. ‘General’ Mills on drums and John ‘Big Tone’ Toney on bass are extremely talented, and the tightest rhythm section I’ve heard in years. The new horn section of Kez ‘Thing’ Adams on sax and Saunders ‘Preacha’ Sermons on trombone add both punch and sizzle. And founding members Curtis ‘Cortez’ Hightman on lead guitar, and Randall ‘Big Daddy’ Webster on lead vocals and acoustic guitar carry the torch in a most magical way.”

- Rolly Cisnero Rochester Times Union 3/01

“Seven years is a long time for most bands, but Big Daddy & Red Hot Java just keeps getting better and better every time I see them. Always innovating, they combine fresh ideas pushing the Blues envelope, yet never stepping beyond the heart and soul of the music.” - Kiesha Calvin Timeout New York 2/01

“When did Big Daddy & Red Hot Java invent Progressive Urban Blues? I don’t know… but I do know that I like it… a lot. It has that real ‘down home’ Blues feel with a contemporary edge that nobody else brings to the genre.” - Jeanette Wilkinson WSIU-FM Radio 1/01

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java rocks my soul.” - Paula Cambell CD Wherehouse Magazine 12/00

“The stinging guitar work of Curtis ‘Cortez’ Hightman shows his expertise with over forty years of fretwork. His artistry helps make Big Daddy & Red Hot Java a ‘mean cup of joe!’” - Ed Polk Blues Guitar Magazine 11/00

“Randall ‘Big Daddy’ Webster is the ‘Pavarotti’ of the Blues… powerful full operatic tones that can growl with a ‘down home’ feel that drips in texture. - Mercedes Rivera Chicago Tribune 11/00

“I’m a Big Daddy & Red Hot Java junkie… I can’t get enough!” - Kendra Holloway Blueslynx Online 10/00

“If anything Big Daddy & Red Hot Java’s new rhythm section of bassist John ‘Big Tone’ Toney from Miami and J. ‘General’ Mills of Hollywood has added serious punch to an already dangerous repetoire of original Progressive Urban Blues. I can’t wait for their new CD. This Blues is the real deal!” - Cole Bertrum Access Atlanta 9/00

“With four Ireland tours under their belt, Big Daddy & Red Hot Java brings it’s ministry of Blues from sunny Florida for the fifth time, and they never let their fans down!” - What’s On Hot Press Magazine 6/00

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays original ‘Progressive Urban Blues’ built on the solid foundation of John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters, and layered with sweet Soul, tasteful Jazz, smooth R&B, and street Hip Hop. It works incredibly well!” - Linda Moultry Florida Jam Magazine 3/00

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java takes no prisoners… this is monster Blues that will slay you!” - Paul Mesner Charlotte Observer 1/00

“Ain’t nothin’ but the truth!”-Jericho Parks Macon Enterprise 8/99

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java packed them in and thrilled everyone with their powerful performance.” -Kisha Harris Capital Outlook 8/99

“Popping Pizzazzy Blues!” -Julie Alder Atlanta Weekender 6/99

“Mix a little New Orleans Funk, Memphis Soul, and Chicago Blues and you get the intoxicating brew of Big Daddy & Red Hot Java!” -Steve Eisley WVON-FM 2/4/99

“An expert tour of the great American Blues heritage; straight into the next millenium.” -Ray Charter Detroit News Press 12/3/98

“This is Blues but there’s no denying the Funk. Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays with their instruments - teasing and taunting until you surrender your mind, body and spirit! -Maxine Walters Austin Globe 9/3/98

“Soul Shakin’ Blues!” -Erin Bray Break Magazine 8/14/98

“Wow! Big Daddy & Red Hot Java absolutely stole the show!”-Sharon Barker-James Tri-City Entertainment Guide 8/30/98

“POWERFUL!”

-Bill Monroe Washington D.C. Insight 5/6/98

“These guys will knock you out. POW!”-Calvin Post The Chicago Tribune 1/6/99

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java commands serious ‘booty shakin’. Better lace up your boots!” -Katie Schardl Tallahassee Democrat 2/26/99

“Big Daddy & Red Hot Java plays the Blues the way it ought to be played…with raw intense primal energy! Don’t miss this ultimate Blues experience!”-Lincoln Beauchamp The Original Chicago Blues Annual and Review 1997

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Randall "Big Daddy" Webster

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