Album Notes

“Eclectic” describes this album of original compositions by Eastern North Carolina’s Willie Nelms. Offering songs in a variety of styles, including Delta Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Folk, and old-style Rock N’ Roll, “East Carolina Barbecue Blues” provides something for everyone - all mixed with a healthy dose of humor.
The title tune, East Carolina Barbecue Blues, is a Delta-blues style tribute to Eastern North Carolina’s favorite food. Sure to appeal to anyone who has savored the region’s pork BBQ , the tune will have listener’s patting their feet and maybe even getting up to dance the Carolina Shag.
The Parking Lot is a hilarious account of a real-life event that occurred when the writer/artist got involved with a shoplifter at a Walmart in Suffolk, Virginia. Parts of the song are true and parts of it are made-up. Listeners are left to their own imaginations to decide which parts are true and which parts are fiction. Be careful, however, because your reaction to the song may tell more about your imagination than you wish to betray.
Time is a haunting reflection on a word that has lots of different meanings to everyone, depending on when and where in life they hear it.
Based on an expression heard in a East Tennessee fundamentalist preacher’s sermon in 1979, You Is What You Is offers some practical, commonsense advice on how listeners should live their lives. This song will bring a wry smile to everyone’s face.
Cleaning Out Old Memories is based on another real-life occurrence when the writer found an abandoned box of family photo albums that were left outside a vacant house. Performed in classic Country style, the song is sure to evoke a variety of emotions among listeners.
My Little Darlin’ is the singer’s tribute to the classic sound of the early days of Rock N’ Roll. Simple and singable, the tune will appeal to anyone who remembers the classic days of Rock N’ Roll, or wishes they had known them.
Willie Nelms has spent his life surrounded by words and music. While growing up on the family farm in Eastern Virginia, he was immersed in the classic Country, Bluegrass, 50’s Rock and Roll, and Folk music that came into the family home on the radio. As a result, he developed a love of a variety of musical styles. For over 45 years he has played with various bands and continued his love of the music of the day. Having spent 35 years as a public library director, he also has a deep appreciation of the value and beauty of words and their meanings. This collection of songs, all written and performed by Nelms, are a sample of his musical interests and love of words.