“The Blues and Rock has influenced my view of the world because it breaks barriers whether language political or other. African American blues is revered all over the world.”

Jay Willie & Bobby T. Torello:

Still Raisin’ Cane (Tribute to Johnny Winter)

Jay Willie started playing the guitar at the age of 12. His uncle Tony gave Jay some Blues records to listen to, including Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Ry Cooder, BB King, and Johnny Winter, and from that point on all Jay wanted to do was spend hours listening to these records and emulating the guitar parts. Growing up, one of the artists that Jay respected the most for his commitment and understanding of the blues was Johnny Winter. The 9-tracks album “Still Raisin’ Cane” (Street Date: May 23, 2025 / ZOHO) is 7th rhythm and blues recording of Jay Willie featuring Bobby T. Torello. Jay says: “Still Raisin' Cane is a heartfelt tribute to my musical hero, Johnny Winter, and the incredible musicians who contributed to his legendary sound. Johnny's 1980 album Raisin' Cain on Blue Sky Records, featuring Jon Paris on bass/harmonica and Bobby T. on drums, was a pivotal record for me. I was fortunate enough to jam with both Jon and Bobby at BB King in NYC during Jon's Monday night open mic sessions, experiences that remain vivid memories.”                     (Jay Willie & Bobby T. Torello / Photo by Dru Saren)

Paul Opalach, an accomplished bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and owner/engineer of Long Hill Recording Studio in Shelton, CT (where this album was recorded and mastered), plays bass on all tracks, lap steel on the title track, and some guitar on “Much Too Late”. Karen Johnstone's captivating vocals on "Much Too Late" add another layer of richness to the album. Her extensive experience performing in Connecticut, NYC, and throughout New England, across multiple genres, made her the ideal choice for this song. Doug Bernstein, whose saxophone has graced stages shared with B.B. King, Gatemouth Brown, The Nighthawks, Charlie Musselwhite, Roomful of Blues, and countless others, brings his incredible talent to this recording.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Archive: Jay Willie & Bobby T., 2013 Interview

How has the Blues and Rock influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your life the most?

Bobby: When I was 19 blues rock took a hold of me and when I started  touring  the world with Johnny Winter  I realized the impact that it had throughout the world. The moment that  changed my life the most was getting a drum set at the age of 13 and touring with Timmy and the Emeralds at 14.

Jay: The Blues and Rock has influenced my view of the world because it breaks barriers whether language political or other. African American blues is revered all over the world. The moment that changed my life the most musically was when I got a portable cassette player for Christmas and I started listening to Wilson Picket and other so called R&B and blues music repetitively.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

Bobby: The more experience I have gained the more I have grown musically although all music is good for the soul. What has remained the same is my passion for music and the fact that I make a living doing what I love.

Jay: I think the term artist gives me too much credit but with each new release I strive to create a better product for myself and those that choose to listen. As far as growth I am trying to become more diverse and appreciative of music outside my normal circle. What has remained the same is my passion for blues influenced music.

”I think his legacy lives on because similar to Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin Johnny has an innate ability that can never be duplicated although many have tried. Thy all lived similar life styles but the only difference is Johnny Winter survived to be 70 and they never made it to 30.” (Photo: Jay Willie and Bobby T backstage with the late great Texas bluesman Johnny Winter)

Currently you’ve one more release as Jay Willie and Bobby T. Torello. How did that relationship come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Still Raisin’ Cane?

Bobby: Through the love of Johnny Winter and meeting Jay and our mutual passion for Johnny and his style of music. What was interesting is that the enthusiasm grew with every track and became increasingly engaged with this new record.

Jay: I have always admired Bobby as a drummer and performer in the Johnny Winter power trio including Jon Paris on bass and harp. My relationship with Bobby was formed a couple years after him leaving Johnny. Bobby lives in CT as I do and was performing locally with his band Bobby T and The Electric Circus. He would let me sit in at local clubs and liked my playing. After getting to know each other better we decided to do some studio releases together.

Why do you think that Johnny Winter music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Bobby: Cause it is real and real good. 

Jay: I think his legacy lives on because similar to Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter has an innate ability that can never be duplicated although many have tried. Thy all lived similar life styles but the only difference is Johnny survived to be 70 and they never made it to 30.

What were the reasons that made the Lone Star state to be the center of Blues/Rock researches and experiments?

Bobby: I don't know how this came about but every area has it's own style of blues that melds from surrounding areas.

Jay: I think it has to do with the region being surrounded by many styles including Delta Blues, Zydeco, Swing and Southern Rock.

”Through the love of Johnny Winter and meeting Jay and our mutual passion for Johnny and his style of music. What was interesting is that the enthusiasm grew with every track and became increasingly engaged with this new record.” (Jay Willie & Bobby T. Torello / Photo by Dru Saren)

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Bobby: The blues is not to make people sad its to make them happy and it does. I want people to get the same sense of enjoyment and excitement from my music as I do.

Jay: Music has a powerful impact on people being able to relieve their minds of the daily grinds and dance and feel free. I want our music to do the same but it is focused on the Texas Blues Rock audience with influences of different styles. I have a son with disabilities and we do an annual fund raising performance for his support agency. The audience is predominately people with special needs and I cannot think of any other outlet that gives them more joy. I hope people enjoy it and it gets international airplay as our other releases have.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Bobby: There's more letters in business than there is in music. If you love music as much as I do the pleasure outweighs the business dealing aspect.

Jay: Important lessons I have learned are too be open minded and listen to ideas of all members and production people involved, Take the time to listen to tracks and don't rush the release until all tracks make you feel good. 

What's the balance in music between technique and soul/emotions? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

Bobby: You can have all the technique in the world but If you cant feel the music you wont sound good. Emotion and feeling is more important and if you rare passionate enough one note can create more emotion many. It is important to preserve the blues because blues is the root of most music.

Jay: The balance between technique and soul/emotions is that one is no good without the other. They must all resonate. I think the preservation has happened naturally because of the power of what is already available and its history. It won't go away but I applaud all that are creating quality iterations and enjoy seeing the popularity among the younger generations.

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(Jay Willie & Bobby T. Torello / Photo by Dru Saren)