Cover photo © 2024 Peter Jordan

There are few blues musicians still alive who have witnessed the entire evolution of the genre, but Leon Atkins, (better known as “Lil Jimmy Reed”), at 85-years-old, is one of them.  Like Bobby Rush and Buddy Guy, Atkins has a surprising amount of energy for an octogenarian, and he also has charisma that is quickly evident during his live performances.

Raised in a ‘shotgun’ house in a sawmill town in Louisiana, Atkins grew up listening to the live music being played in the club across the street from his home.  He particularly loved Jimmy Reed’s music.  Leon’s first instrument was actually a harmonica, which he learned to play as a pre-teenager.  Then a neighbor made him a three-string cigar box guitar and he played that until his father came into some money and offered to buy the children presents.  Atkins asked for a guitar and his father bought him a Gibson electric guitar.

“I got the guitar on a Monday and by Saturday I was playing in the club.  I didn’t have any lessons–it just came naturally to me.”

At the age of around nineteen, Atkins was asked once to fill in for Jimmy Reed, who was too drunk to play a show he had booked in an auditorium, and Atkins did so well many people thought he was Jimmy Reed.  People started calling him “Lil Jimmy Reed” and it was a nickname that he still uses to this day.  But Atkins has always held jobs outside of the music industry, beginning with a job in the sawmill, and then graduating from Barber College and cutting hair.  He then spent twenty years in the military, working in personnel.  While in the military he spent eleven years in Alaska and traveled to several other countries, including Germany.

“I had a big family and needed to provide for them, and I always wanted to be able to retire from somewhere, so it worked out for me. But everywhere I went through the military I would be forming little bands and still playing the blues.   I have 37 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and 7 great-great-great grandchildren.  But most of them live in Louisiana and I live in Alabama, so we’re kind of spread out. At one point I started to quit playing the blues, but I was talking to Little Milton, and he said, ‘don’t give up.  Keep going and don’t ever stop.’  So, I kept going.  I’m not afraid to get on stage with nobody.  I know what I’m doing, and what I’m doing is something they can’t do.”

Playing the ‘Chitlin Circuit’ during those early years, Atkins witnessed considerable racism and discrimination.  Additionally, since he did not have any training on the business side of the music industry, he has also experienced people who have taken advantage of him financially.

“Sometimes booking agents steal money from the musicians.  I had a man once book me a show in Sweden, and he asked me if I would be willing to go play in Sweden for a thousand dollars.  I said yes.  After the show, the man who booked the festival asked me what I had been paid, and when he found out I had only been paid a thousand he was upset because he said he had given the booking agent four thousand dollars to hire me.  I should have known something wasn’t right.  The booking agent brought his mama, his wife, and his daddy with him to Sweden, and they were all sitting in first class while I was at the back of the plane. When I asked the guy about it, he said that it was my fault because I had agreed to a thousand, and it was none of my damn business how much money he made.”

Atkins most recently signed with Nola Blue Records and released an album that is a collaboration with the young, extremely talented keyboardist named Ben Levin, and his equally talented keyboardist father, Aron.  Atkins was asked how they ended up working together.

“Ben met me.  He had seen me on Facebook and he called me, and he and his dad sent for me.  Then we recorded that album (Return to Baton Rouge), and I think it turned out pretty good.   He loves the blues, that young boy.  Me and him like the same thing.  He would just really get into it when I play.”

Ben was eager to express his admiration for Atkins, noting, “It’s an honor for me to work with Jimmy, who’s truly a living legend of the blues. Our relationship started out as a collaboration, and I feel blessed to now call Jimmy a friend. He has taught me a lot about music, and life in general. I look forward to the next time we share the stage!”

While the festival scene in the United States seems currently to be heavily focused on blues-rock, other countries still cherish traditional blues and greatly appreciate Atkins’ work.  He noted that he has been to many countries.

“I’ve played in Sweden, England, Germany, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Lebanon, Jerusalem.  You name it!  I’ve been everywhere except Japan and China. When I played England once the crowd started screaming and hollering, and I thought they were doing that for me.  I found out later the Queen had walked in.  I didn’t get to see her, but I guess she came to hear me.  I’d like to play more festivals in the United States, though, because at 85, traveling is getting to be a bit much for me.  I just got back from England and I’m still getting over the worst cold I’ve ever had in my life.”

“I particularly liked playing on the streets in Helena during the King Biscuit Blues Festival.  I liked that even better than the main stage.  I finished my set on the main stage and went over and played all day long on the street stage.  You’re closer to the people on those stages on the streets, and you know they are coming there to really hear the blues.  And you can actually make more money there.”

After performing in nearly every country and sharing the stage with so many music legends, Atkins was asked if there was anything still left on his “bucket list” that he hoped to do, any young artists (other than Ben Levin) that impress him, and any advice he would give to young artists.

“I’d like to meet Eric Clapton.  I like the kind of blues he plays but have never had the chance to meet him before.  As far as young artists, I was impressed with my friend, Kingfish (Christone “Kingfish” Ingram).  At least when he started, he was playing the blues. I’m not so sure what he’s doing now.”

“It seems like everybody wants to play loud, screaming guitar, and that ain’t blues to me.  As far as advice goes, I don’t really have advice.  I guess, whatever you are doing, just do it your best.  That’s all I can tell them.”

Atkins is known for his volunteer work, as he brings his music to nursing homes whenever he is not out touring.

“I had twelve nursing homes that I played in before the pandemic.  That number is down now because some places are still closed due to the pandemic.  But I love playing in nursing homes.  A lot of people don’t get out of bed until I come.  Sometimes they roll the bed in there with the person still in it, until they hear me play.  To me, music is good for you.  It’s good for the soul!”

Witnessing this living legend play music live will be good for your soul too.  You can find out more about Lil Jimmy Reed, including his tour dates at www.liljimmyreed.com and can purchase his latest album at NBR ARTISTS | Nola Blue Records (nola-blue.com)