BIO
There are some names you never forget. Names like Elvis Presley, Duane Allman, Ronnie Van Zandt...Good
Southern names for self-styled boys that made some of rock-n-roll’s great wild
records. Such a name and such a man
is Travis Wammack. Born in Walnut, Mississippi, he began his professional music career
when he wrote and recorded his first record at the tender age of eleven, and
also became the youngest member ever voted into the musicians union. After
moving to Memphis, Tennesse, the young guitarist made his mark on the music
world at the age of sixteen with his 1963 number one hit “Scratchy”..
By 1969, Wammack’s skills landed him in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he
teamed with legendary producer Rick Hall at Hall’s FAME Records. Travis’
guitar licks can be heard on hit records recorded by artists such as Aretha
Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Mac Davis, Clarence Carter, the Osmond
Brothers, Bobbie Gentry, Candi Staton, Delbert McClinton, Liza Minnelli, Narvel
Felts and many more. Wammack’s solo artist career (produced by Hall) also sky
rocketed with the release of albums in 1971 and 1975.
He traveled the world as Little Richard’s band leader from 1984
until 1995, performing on several nationally syndicated television programs as well as President Bill Clinton’s
inauguration party. Wammack became
known as the “fastest guitar player in the South”, where he was described by
Rolling Stone’s Greg Shaw as “the fastest guitar player I have ever heard in
my life, and not just fast but good. Brilliant,
even. His stage show is flamboyant
and exciting.” In 1998, Wammack released his Still Rockin’ CD.
It contains a collection of rock and soul classics from the 1960's and
‘70's. In 2000, his “Snake,
Rattle & Roll in Muscle Shoals” CD was released.
This release contains a collection of Travis’ best original material
and is sure to rock you with a touch of soul.
In 2002 Wammack released his latest live CD “Rock-N-Roll Party, which
showcases everything from his soul vocals on ‘Dreams To Remember’, his
dazzling guitar work and voice-box on ‘Rocky Mountain Way’, to the swampy
slide work on his original ‘Rock-N-Roll Shoes’.
Travis now works with Muscle Shoals Music Marketing, and has added
“Producer” to his already impressive resume.
He is a member of the ‘Memphis Music Hall of Fame’, and in 1999 Wammack received the Professional Musician Award from the
Alabama Music Hall of Fame. In 2005 he was inducted into The
Southern Legends Entertainment And Performing Arts Hall Of Fame.