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Billy Davis is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Doo Wop Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Billy was the lead guitarist for Hank Ballard and The Midnighters for 30 years. Born in Bentonia, MS in 1938, by the age of 17, Billy Davis & The Upsetters became Berry Gordy’s first in-house live band. He was the guitarist for Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Ben E. King, and many other artists. Billy was the mentor and lifelong friend of Jimi Hendrix teaching him what he knew about guitar and his special sound which in later years became the signature for many other musicians.
Billy co-wrote music for many famous hits including “The Twist” when with Hank Ballard, which was later popularized with Chubby Checker’s version. In 1988, Billy appeared in the cult film Tapeheads with John Cusack and Tim Robbins.
Mighty Michael, 17 years old, has been performing since he was 7 years old. Since 9 years old, he has been performing with The Billy Davis Rhythm Machine Band on harmonica, guitar, and vocals. He has won many state and national awards and nominations including a 2018 Detroit Music Award nomination, Tribute from the State of Michigan Best New Music Artist, 2018, Detroit Black Music Award 2019, SPAH (Society For the Preservation & Advancement of Harmonica) Youth Scholarship in Tulsa, OK 2019, and represented the USA in 2021. He was a 2022 SPAH Youth Scholar and had been awarded a 2022 Master Class Youth Scholarship by the Pinetop Perkins Foundation in Clarksdale, MS. In January 2023 Michael performed in Memphis at the international Blues Challenge and at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR. In 2023 Michael was appointed to the Board of Directors, Youth Committee, of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH).
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