Doc Williamson

Karl "Doc" Williamson was born in Chariton, Iowa on October 20, 1951. He has also worked under another name, Gator Williamson, which was given to him while playing in New Orleans nightclubs. Doc is the name Big Jim Garrison owner of The After Hours Club on Bourbon Street gave him. He has chosen to keep this name in reverence and respect to the old time Blues piano and guitar players that were often referred to as either Doctor or Doc. It is this old time Blues tradition and style that he hopes to help keep alive.

Doc took about 1 1/2 years of piano lessons between the ages of six and eight and that concluded his formal training. It is when he first heard Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" on the radio in 1959 that changed his life at age eight.. It is the first record he bought with his own money and he learned it by ear that same day. He then studied records and taught himself how to play by ear, how a song is made, music theory and various piano playing styles. He then developed a piano and singing style uniquely his own. He played in several bands throughout his teen years, in the Orlando, Florida area, usually playing the pop music of the 1960s however, he introduced Blues and Soul music to any band he was in.

He has played professionally for over 35 years. Doc has been a session piano player and has toured the US and Japan extensively. One of the biggest musical thrills of his career came when Stevie Wonder came into a club Doc was working in on Bourbon Street and sat in with Doc. Doc offered the piano to Stevie but Stevie said, "No, you play great. You play and I'll sing." And, they did. But, the biggest thrill of all was when Doc finally met his lifelong hero, Ray Charles, in Seattle, shook his hand, spoke with him briefly and made him laugh.

Doc's major influence in his playing, singing and writing is Ray Charles. Other influences he credits include Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, Jimmy Yancey, Little Brother Montgomery, Big Maceo, Cousin Joe, Sonny Boy Williamson, Leon Russell, Dr. John, James Booker, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Johnnie Johnson, Taj Mahal, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan and so many more. Doc wishes he had the skills of the piano greats Art Tatum and Albert Ammons.

Doc makes his home in Florida with his wife, Glenda, and Blues Hound Beagle, Maggie. He has a large repertoire of music. He keeps his audiences listening and involved with sing-a-longs, handclaps and banter. He plays Blues, old R & B, 1960s and old Soul music. A show by Doc Williamson is not to be missed.