Guitarist and Vocalist Walter “Wolfman” Washington is a headliner for Highmark Blues and Heritage Festival, Wednesday September 14 at 7:30. While he’s led a successful career as a New Orleans based blues artist, he says he owes his start in music to his family and the musical people around him - which led to his first big break at the age of 18 a as guitarist with Lee “Ya Ya” Dorsey.

Walter told us, “a lot of my friends went on the road with different artists, and my Mama was very particular about who I went on the road with, and I didn’t go on the road until Lee Dorsey came into my life, and that is an experience I will never forget.”

After years on the road with the singer of tunes like “Ya Ya” and “Workin’ on a Coal Mine,” Walter “Wolfman” Washington came back to New Orleans where he connected with famed blues, jazz and gospel singer, Johnny Adams. The association lasted for 20 years, and Johnny Adams encouraged the guitarist to find is own voice, as a singer. “Johnny used to sing in a spiritual group, and most of the groups would come by my house and eat breakfast, and that’s how I met Johnny. He actually took me under his wing after I came off the road with Lee (Dorsey).”

Walter “Wolfman” Washington plays at the Highmark Blues and Heritage Festival Wednesday night at 7:30, part of a two day lineup of events at Highmark Stadium, Station Square.

Details at https://blues.awaacc.org