Will Weldon was a Memphis blues singer and guitar player, associated with the Memphis Jug Band. Weldon made his recording debut with the Memphis Jug Band in 1927, also recording under the name of Will Weldon. He sang in a high, straining voice, and played chugging guitar, which, in duet with Vol Stevens, emulated the playing of Charley Jordan.
"Casey Bill Weldon", b. February 8, 1901 (some sources: February 2, 1901 or July 10, 1909) in Pine Bluff, AR (some sources: near Springfield, Conway County, AR), d. (probably) September 28, 1972 in Kansas City, MO, most likely is not the same musician as Memphis Jug Band member "Will Weldon".
Discograpy:
Victor 20552 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - Sun Brimmers Blues (37941-1, -3) Victor 20552;
Memphis Jug Band - Stingy Woman Blues (37942-2) Victor 20552;
rec. February 24, 1927 in Memphis, TN; Will Shade, hca; Ben Ramey, kazoo; Will Weldon, vcl, gtr; Charlie Polk, jug.
Victor 20576 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - Memphis Jug Blues (37943-1, -2);
Memphis Jug Band - Newport News Blues (37944-2);
rec. February 24, 1927 in Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo, [B] poss. sp; Will Weldon, gtr, [A] vcl, [B] poss. sp; Charlie Polk, jug, [A] vcl.
Victor 20577 (1927)
Ollie Rupert - I Raised My Window And Looked At The Rising Sun (37963-2);
Ollie Rupert - Ain't Goin' To Be Your Low Down Dog (37964-2);
rec. February 28, 1927 in Memphis, TN; Ollie Rupert, female vcl; unknown, jew's harp; poss. Will Weldon, gtr; poss. Will Shade, gtr.
Victor 20781 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - Sunshine Blues (38658-1);
Memphis Jug Band - I'm Looking For The Bully Of The Town (38660-2);
rec. June 9, 1927 in Chicago, IL; Will Shade, gtr, [B] vcl; Ben Ramey, kazoo, [B] vcl; Will Weldon, gtr, vcl; Charlie Polk, jug; [A] 'Shakey Walter', hca.
Victor 20809 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - Sometimes I Think I Love You (38657-1);
Memphis Jug Band - Memphis Boy Blues (38659-1);
rec. June 9, 1927 in Chicago, IL; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo, [B] vcl; Will Weldon, gtr, [B] vcl; Charlie Polk, jug; [A] 'Shakey Walter', hca.
Victor 21066 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - Beale Street Mess Around (40320-1);
Memphis Jug Band - I'll See You In The Spring, When The Birds Begin To Sing (40321-1);
rec. October 20, 1927 in Atlanta, GA; [A] Will Shade, hca, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo; Will Weldon, gtr; Vol Stevens, vcl, gtr; [B] Charlie Polk, jug; [A] one of the band, sp.
Victor 21134 (1927)
Will Weldon - Turpentine Blues (40322-2);
Will Weldon - Hitch Me To Your Buggy And Drive Me Like A Mule (40323-2);
rec. October 20, 1927 in Atlanta, GA; Will Weldon, vcl, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md, sp.
Victor 21185 (1927)
Memphis Jug Band - State Of Tennessee Blues (40313-2);
Memphis Jug Band - Kansas City Blues (40315-1);
rec. October 19, 1927 in Atlanta, GA; Will Shade, vcl, [B] hca, [A] gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo, [B] vcl; Will Weldon, gtr, [B] vcl; Vol Stevens, [A] bj-md, [B] gtr; [A] Jenny Clayton, vcl; [A] one of the band, sp.
Victor 21278 (1928)
Memphis Jug Band - Coal Oil Blues (41888-2);
Memphis Jug Band - Papa Long Blues (41889-2);
rec. February 13, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, hca, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo, poss. sp; Will Weldon, vcl, gtr, poss. sp; Charlie Polk, jug, vcl.
Victor 21356 (1928)
Vol Stevens - Vol Stevens Blues (40324-1);
Vol Stevens - Baby Got The Rickets (40325-1);
rec. Atlanta, GA, October 20, 1927; Vol Stevens, vcl, bj-md; Will Weldon, gtr.
Victor 21412 (1928)
Memphis Jug Band - Bob Lee Junior Blues (40314-2);
Memphis Jug Band - I Packed My Suitcase, Started To The Train (40312-2);
rec. October 19, 1927 in Atlanta, GA; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo; Will Weldon, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md; Jenny Clayton, vcl.
Victor 21524 (1928)
Memphis Jug Band - Snitchin' Gambler Blues (41817-2, -3);
Memphis Jug Band - She Stays Out All Night Long (41891-2);
[A] rec. February 1, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Will Weldon, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md; Charlie Polk, jug.
[B] rec. February 13, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo; Will Weldon, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md; Charlie Polk, jug; several of the band, sp.
Victor 21657 (1928)
Memphis Jug Band - Evergreen Money Blues (41818-2);
Memphis Jug Band - Peaches In The Springtime (41890-2);
[A] rec. February 1, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Will Weldon, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md; Charlie Polk, jug.
[B] rec. February 13, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN; Will Shade, vcl, gtr; Ben Ramey, kazoo, vcl; Will Weldon, vcl, gtr; Vol Stevens, bj-md; Charlie Polk, jug.