Welcome to WigiThread.com, your gateway to exceptional digital marketing services. As the creator and CEO of WigiThread LLC, I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new platform, which seamlessly blends my passion for innovative digital marketing solutions while intersecting sometimes, with the work that I am connected to in music. While this website is an evolution of the former music-centric site, MusicThread, the heart and soul of my musical journey remain deeply embedded in WigiThread. I am currently phasing out of the music content that I used to be engrained in and now posting information about digital marketing that I am involved with through my agency. Nevertheless, in this case when you have an opportunity to interact with a legend who’s held his own with the likes of Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside, you take that opportunity in a heartbeat.
One winter day, I had the honor of photographing the blues legend Little Joe Ayers. Armed with my Canon EOS 2000D, I set out to capture the essence of a man whose music has profoundly influenced the Hill Country Blues. Although I’ve been photographing professionally for two years, I’m still getting accustomed to my starter camera. I prefer using the viewfinder eyepiece over the LCD monitor, as it allows me greater accuracy with a one-eye shot. I took these shots for the South Reporter and submitted them but the editor didn’t publish the pictures but published my article on “Lil” Joe. To this day, I do not know why the editor of the South Reporter decided not to include these wonderful pictures of the legend (but that’s another story). I am providing them to you now so the world can see!
As I adjusted my camera settings to manual mode, allowing me to control the shutter speed and aperture for optimal lighting, Little Joe picked up his guitar and began performing an original song, “You Got to Move.” In that moment, history was made. My fascination with the Hill Country, also known as Cotton-Patch Blues, was reignited. The unique sound of a lead and backup guitar emanating from a single instrument is a testament to the rich musical heritage of North Mississippi.
In the heart of North Mississippi, amidst the dusty roads and soulful echoes of the Delta blues, a living legend emerged—Little Joe Ayers. On November 28, 1944, between the towns of Lamar and Ashland, MS, Ethellene Godwin and Lester B. Boga Ayers welcomed their son into a world destined to be influenced by the haunting melodies of Hill Country Blues.
Living Blues Magazine aptly describes Joe as a living legend, a repository of profound knowledge about the people, places, and music that define the Hill Country Blues of North Mississippi. His roots trace back to the hallowed grounds of his birth, with his paternal lineage linking him to Malcolm Boga and the rich tapestry of Mississippi blues history.
Beyond the spotlight, Little Joe remains deeply connected to his community, exemplifying a sense of responsibility by regularly checking on and visiting elderly folks in the area. It’s a testament to the man behind the blues, reflecting a genuine connection to the people and the land that shaped him.
Described by Living Blues Magazine as a performer with a “driving bass line and authentic vocals,” Joe’s execution of old blues tunes is a visceral experience, fueled by a lifetime of rich experiences. His repertoire effortlessly transitions from the gritty landscapes of Muddy Waters to the haunting wails of Howlin’ Wolf and the entrancing rhythms of Junior Kimbrough, all seamlessly woven together in a tapestry of emotions.
In a profound acknowledgment from hometown hero and Grammy award-winning blues artist, Cedric Burnside, the grandson of R.L. Burnside, Joe’s significance in the world of blues is underscored. Recalling Joe’s performances at R.L.’s house parties, Cedric reminisces, “Joe and R.L. were really good friends. He’s one of the last original Hill Country blues musicians still here in Holly Springs. He’s a good person and a real blues man at heart.”
Being one of the original Hill Country Blues musicians, as recognized by Cedric, places Joe at the forefront of a guitar-playing style that revolutionized the blues scene. This unique approach, born in the Holly Springs area, caught the attention of iconic rock and roll acts like U2 and The Black Keys, elevating it to a globally respected and revered style of play. Joe’s intricate technique, seamlessly blending lead guitar, bass, and backup guitar sounds, created a multi-dimensional experience typically reserved for a full band.
In the heyday of Marshall Scruggs, a club 8 miles outside Holly Springs, Little Joe shared the stage with blues legends Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside on a weekly basis. Today, he plays when the spirit moves him, having retired from his roles as a bulldozer operator and HVAC technician specialist for the Holly Springs School district on November 18, 2009.
Keeping the flame alive, Little Joe’s son, Trenton Ayers, has embraced his father’s legacy and is fast becoming a globally respected Hill Country Blues artist.
The crowning moment came on December 2nd, 2023, as the Memphis Blues Society presented Earl “Little Joe” Ayers with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual End of Prohibition Party and Awards event in Neil’s Music Room. This award distinctively recognizes the outstanding contributions that Ayers made during his lifetime as a veteran blues musician, performer, and songwriter.
At WigiThread, we celebrate the intersection of digital marketing and the timeless legacy of blues music. Our services are designed to amplify your brand’s voice, just as the Hill Country Blues have amplified the spirit of Mississippi for generations. Join us on this journey, and let’s create something extraordinary together.
