Willie Otis Lemons iii
A drummer at age five, Willie O. Lemons III known to many as Koot switched his focus to bass after hearing Stanley Clarke's Lopsy Lu. After receiving a bass for Christmas, he taught himself the rest of the songs on Stanley Carke's Epic recording note for note. He next sought out material by Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins and Louis Johnson. During junior year of high school, his studies with Julius McCullough enabled him to gain greater popularity in this area. During the past 20 years, Willie has played with numerous Top 40 groups, original dance and funk bands. He has also played with Major Harris and the Del Phonics, The Sid Miller Orchestra, Shirley Lites and company, Eddie Holman, Jr., The Fantastic Voyage (70's All-Star Show), Vickie Sue Robinson, Mans Creation (jazz fusion band),Sid By Sol,Prime Time(R&B dance band)IROQ (top 40 dance band), The Joe Walston Orchestra, Brenda and the Tabulations, Peaches and Herb, Laura Cheadle(and her family band), Best Kept Soul (R & B, Top 40 Band),Exclusive Soul(R & B, Top 40),Pristine Raeign(R&B,Counrty,Rock,Pop,Soul,Blues,Top 40 Dance Music.Willie has opened for(while holding down the bass chair for JASCAT and various live on air performances @ POWER 99{phila} with Tiffany Bacon) R&B/ Hip Hop acts such as NeYo, After 7, Ginuwine, Ray J,Bobby Valentino, El Debarge and more. Willie has also released his first solo CD in 2000 entitled Above sea level live!(with his power trio) a mixture of experimental/jazz fusion. Willie has also opened for Marcus Miller, Living Colour and played with the House of Soul band at Club Brave New World, which featured such Artists as Lina, Allure and N'Dambi. Willie has performed all over the world with the Department of Defense D.D.U. Top 40 band. The band toured throughout Europe performing for American troops stationed in Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Spain, Philippines, Honduras, Panama and Singapore. Willie worked as first call session bassist for Justice Studios, Philadelphia, Pa. and has been featured in Guitar Player magazine(1990) and also Bass player magazine(2016)
