You Got to Wait - Hamilton Loomis

Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, Loomis was first hooked on music through his parents’ extensive collection of blues, rock, and soul records. Loomis honed his multi-instrumental chops early, learning drums, piano, guitar, bass and harmonica by his early teens, and toured regularly as part of his family’s doo-wop group.

At age sixteen he went backstage to meet Bo Diddley, and before the night was over Loomis was onstage playing alongside the legend. Since that meeting, Diddley quickly became a friend, mentor, and supporter. “INNOVATE, DON’T IMITATE”…Diddley’s words continue to inspire Loomis and fuel his desire for originality. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member said of Loomis, “You got to put some seasonin’ in what you’re doin’, and this boy’s got the whole salt shaker!”

One of the young artist’s fondest memories was when Diddley took his iconic hat off mid-show and crowned it on his head, as if figuratively passing on the torch and proudly declaring Loomis as the legitimate heir in line.

Bo Diddley first appeared on Loomis’ debut. And Diddley’s last ever recorded song is “You Got To Wait,” from Loomis’ 2007 Blind Pig release ‘Ain’t Just Temporary.’ The co-written track featured both Diddley’s unmistakable voice and tremolo guitar for the last time.

Other Texas blues legends such as Joe Hughes, Johnny Copeland, Gatemouth Brown and Albert Collins schooled Loomis early on in the finer points of the music, recognizing the youngster’s talent and potential. By the time he turned eighteen, Loomis had performed in front of thousands at the Delta Blues Festival, and he was writing, arranging, and performing his own material. A series of self-released CDs followed, including 1996’s ‘Just Gimme One Night,’ 1999’s ‘All Fired Up,’ which the UK’s Blues Matters said was “so strong and confident that it has your vote two bars in.” Loomis’ 2002 release, ‘Live-Highlights,’ captured what his crowd-pleasing show “is all about, and that is powerful Blues, Funk and Soul,” according to Twelve Bar Rag magazine. “There is not enough room here to point out all the good things about ‘Live-Highlights!’”

Loomis’ first Blind Pig Records release, ‘Kickin’ It,’ released in 2003, presented his innovative approach to an audience hungry for something new in roots music. Said Blueswax, “Loomis really gets it, and he is only in his twenties! Don’t just dust off those old hackneyed Blues, create your own style of funkified soulful music.” Southland Blues raved, “’Kickin’ It’ is one of the best CDs of the year. This kid's got most all of it and then some. More than worth a listen." And the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted, “Loomis displays a polished vocal, guitar and songwriting knack that could win him the sort of crossover audience that Robert Cray and B.B. King enjoy.
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