WILLIE AND CAMELLIA WATERS

Job 33:28        He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.

                          

Willie and Camellia are members of the Riverdawg band and regularly perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Their blend of country western, blues and Zydeco, with a bit of rock and rap is acclaimed as the new music of the century.  Other bands are clamoring to copy these pioneers.  They have developed a large following, especially among the Canadian French.

Willie grew up in central Louisiana in Rapides Parish staying in fights and barely passing school.  I remember him being frequently in the principal’s office in grammar school.  In high school he was at the point of being expelled for the year when our principal, Mr. Johnson, decided to try a new approach rather than lose yet another young man to the streets.  He knew the boy needed direction in his life, something to discipline him.  A goal to achieve.  It took a great deal of persuasion to convince the band director to give Willie a chance. Mr. Johnson knew Willie liked music. 

It was rough, at first, but gradually the boy discovered he had talent.   The rest is history.  Willie excelled in band going on to study at the New Orleans Conservatory of Music graduating with honors.

Camellia, his wife, is the lead singer in the Riverdawg band.  Some say she has tremendous promise, with a voice that rivals Ella Fitzgerald.  Unlike Willie, she grew up in New Orleans around music.  Her parents are performers and music is in their blood.  When she was growing up her evenings were spent doing homework in back corner offices while her parents were on stage.  Occasionally she would join them for a song or two.  It was only natural that she would follow in their footsteps.  Camellia met Willie several years ago at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, falling in love with both his suave personality and exhilarating style of music.  They fell in love, he gave her an engagement ring in the shape of a guitar, and they exchanged vows on the main stage at Festival International, in Lafayette, while the band played on.

Willie and Camellia have been married for 5 years and are expecting their first child on Mardi Gras Day.  This is an honor among musicians from N’awlins.  Camellia is thrilled because she once dreamed of having a child while riding on a float down Canal Street.  She does not plan to be riding one on her due date, however. 

They had a lot of discussion as to what the child should be named.  If the baby is a girl, they intend to name her Lilly, Rose, or Pink.  If it is a boy Willie wants to name him Fizzle, Fart or Stink.  However, if Camellia has her way, the boy will be named Fat Tuesday, but she will still let Willie call him “Stink”.  

I hope it’s a boy and he grows up to be a musician too.  He’d have a cool name, Stinky Waters.

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