Three by Billy the Kid Emerson (w spec guest Joel Astley) Guitar Lesson by Johnny Burgin

Billy the Kid Emerson never had a big hit of his own, but he wrote a string of hook-laden blues/rockabilly/r and b classics recorded by folks like Elvis Presley, Billy Lee Riley, Sam the Sham, Wynonie Harris and many more. His own original versions on Sun and other labels sound like a million bucks, and have very clever arrangements, forms, and delicious little twists that are smart and just FUN! And yes, a lot of his early songs had at least a big contribution from master arranger Ike Turner, who gave Billy his start as a vocalist, but Billy the Kid Emerson is undoubtedly a great writer. This video is part of a series of lessons about songwriting, hooks and song forms. Stay tuned for an upcoming video about MY songwriting process in the near future. The end of the video features my buddy Joel Astley, recorded earlier this week in Joel's hometown of Seattle. We did a version of Billy's "Little Fine Healthy Thing". I hope you'll check out his debut CD, "Seattle to Greaseland", which I played on along with Kid Andersen, Randy Bermudes, and June Core.
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[@patrickrcleary]

Love Billy the Kid Emerson! I got to chat with him on the phone a few times. Smart cat, needless to say. He became a man of the cloth.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Wow, that is realy cool! (getting to chat with him). thaks for watching Patrick

[@greggreenspan1451]

Yea Baby, excellent guys.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

right on thanks a lot Greg!

[@thouston0]

Friggin' outstanding!

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Thanks a lot Tony!