WATERVILLE – When Mud Morganfield was a young child living in a South Side Chicago apartment building, the eldest son of Muddy Waters often ran into blues musicians, including Little Walter and Chuck Berry, in the hallway.
“I was a little tot,” said Morganfield, who at 74 is in his prime as a blues musician. “I would see those guys in the building, but I didn’t know who they were until I got a little older. I didn’t know the significance of the blues at the time.”
While he calls Chicago home, Morganfield has traveled all over the country, and internationally, since launching his professional career in 2008. On Saturday, July 25, he’ll headline the 11th annual Blues, Brews and Brats in downtown Waterville.
Last week, Morganfield chatted with John Henry, whose decades-long love of the blues has brought musicians to town for concerts and recordings with his Third Street Cigar Records. The Third Street Cigar lounge features dozens of photos of blues musicians throughout the decades, including one of Muddy Waters performing with Junior Wells and Buddy Guy at the Toledo Sports Arena in 1972 – a photo Morganfield plans to check out during his visit.
“It’s such a rich history; I’m sure you saw all of those Chicago Chess guys,” Henry told Morganfield, referring to Chess Records, which was founded in 1950 in the Windy City, and recorded Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Big Bill Broonzy, to name a few.
The influence of blues on music – including rock, R&B, funk, soul and jazz – is indisputable. The Rolling Stones named themselves after Muddy Waters’ song “Rollin’ Stone,” released by Chess Records in 1950.
For Morganfield, his father’s DNA and encouragement pulled him into the blues at an early age. At night, he would tap a rhythm on his head in order to fall asleep. As he got older, Muddy would give him any instrument he wanted. As he got older, Morganfield launched several bands with friends.
“The only thing is, these guys wanted me to buy all the wine,” he laughed. “I would buy it. I just wanted to play.”
As he sang in multiple bands and performed other musicians’ songs, Morganfield was trying to find his own unique voice, but he always ended up sounding like his father.
“I have to get in where I fit in. I have to do what God put me here to do,” he said, adding that he’s thankful for the gift he got from his famous father.
While he continued to play, Morganfield got a degree from Malcolm X College and studied at DeVry University, then spent years working as a semi driver.
“They called me the singing trucker,” he said.
But his professional career didn’t take off until 2008, when blues legend Mary Lane took him to a professional gig. He followed that with his first self-produced album, Fall Waters Fall. In 2012, Morganfield signed with Severn Records and released the acclaimed Son of the Seventh Son. For Pops – A Tribute to Muddy Waters, came out in 2014, and featured several musicians. Severn also released They Call Me Mud in 2018 – the same year that Delmark Records released Portrait. His most recent release is Deep Mud, in 2025.
While Morganfield has received many accolades over the years, he remains humble.
“I learned never to really brag. I’m a God-fearing man. If you’re arrogant, as fast as God can give it, he can take it. I’ve stayed grounded with that,” he said.
Morganfield credits his late mother, Mildred – who passed away at age 92 last year – for being his biggest supporter throughout his career. His father passed in 1983. While he looks and sounds like Muddy Waters, Morganfield is quite different than his father and some of the other Chicago blues musicians of his time.
“They come up from the cotton fields of Mississippi. I come up in Chicago,” he said.
When Morganfield takes the stage on Saturday night, expect a Chicago blues experience that will draw on his own background – plus a few songs to honor his dad. Joining him on stage will be Studebaker John, an internationally-known artist and bandleader who has produced and arranged albums over the years. Studebaker plays guitar and harp at the same time. Also in the band is guitarist Rick Kreher, who played in Muddy Waters’ final band. Chris Alexander will be on drums and Morganfield Mud will sing and play the bass guitar in a show that Henry knows will wow the crowds.
Also on the lineup is Toronto-based Bywater Call, a powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band comprised of Meghan Parnell, vocals; Dave Barnes, guitar; Bruce McCarthy, drums; Mike Meusel, bass; John Kervin, keys; Stephen Dyte, trumpet; and Julian Naili, tenor sax.
Fans will also enjoy a Toledo Rhythm and Blues All Star show featuring The Good, The Bad and The Blues, Bobby G, Stormy Monday and Ramona Collins.
This is the 11th year for the BBB, which is the prime fundraiser for the Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club (AWARC). But Henry has been bringing blues musicians to town since the 1980s, when he was a University of Toledo freshman hosting a blues show for the college radio station. In the years that followed, Henry and fellow Anthony Wayne High School Class of 1982 graduate Paul Croy hosted blues musicians for a backyard charity event before they decided to join forces with Rotary in 2015.
Finding blues artists to perform for the event is a passion for Henry, who has hosted legends including Big Jack Reynolds, Johnny Rawls, Bobby G, Chris Shutters and The Good, The Bad and the Blues in Third Street Cigar over the years. Rawls was recently in town for a week, and has recorded albums with Third Street Cigar Records and Waterville’s Bigfoot Studios.
While Waterville’s blues connection might go unnoticed by many in the community, it will be on full display Saturday night. Bringing the brews to the BBB are Buffalo Rock Brewing Company of Waterville. Also, Adventure Spirits Distilling of Whitehouse will be mixing up three drinks for the BBB: a Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, a Honey Lemon Drop and an Espresso Martini, all $8 each.
Glenn’s Brats will be serving up the brats, while guests can also enjoy Tano’s Pizza, Toledo Chuckwagon and Detroit Donuts – which is also bringing a snow-cone station.
This year will be a little cozier, with the festival taking up South Third Street just beyond Mad Anthony’s, so customers can still access the popular bar without paying admission to the BBB, said AWARC member Deb Cheney.
“Our footprint is a little smaller. We’ll all be closer, but it will have a better vibe,” she said.
Also expect enhanced security to ensure safety, with extra patrols in the area.
“We’re hoping for about 1,500 people,” Cheney said. “With a great lineup, great beer and cocktails, we think we’ll have a better draw.”
Cheney noted that additional sponsors this year have enabled the BBB to raise more for their biggest fundraiser of the year. That all goes back into the community, to support youth groups and local nonprofits, including scholarships for Anthony Wayne and Otsego high school graduates; Anthony Wayne High School’s Interact and STRIVE clubs, Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation, Anthony Wayne Neighborhood Bridges, Let’s Build Beds, Scouts, Nature’s Nursery and YMCA youth programs.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, a thirst and some dancing shoes. For information, visit anthonywaynearearotary.org.
