Longtime local drummer Milton “Heavyfoot” Austin, who is recovering from a foot amputation, will be the beneficiary of a Detroit Blues Society sponsored benefit, Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Blue Goose Inn in St. Clair Shores.
The benefit will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will be hosted by the Luther Badman Keith Blues Band, one of the many bands to be supported by Austin’s smooth groove-based drumming style over decades of performances.
Austin has suffered a number of health setbacks in recent years, including a stroke. His lower right foot was removed earlier this year because of health complications. He is learning to walk with a prosthetic foot.
Even with the health challenges, Austin remains spirited and hopes to drum again.
“Tell all my fans that I will return,” said Austin, who now lives in St. Clair Shores. “The Heavyfootster will be back.”
Austin has played with numerous bands, a who’s who of blues groups in Detroit, including Robert Penn, Little Jr. Cannaday, Priscilla Price, Willie D. Warren, Thornetta Davis, Nikki James and many others. He also has front his own group the Milton Heavyfoot All Stats.
Austin, in fact, is the person who gave Luther Badman Keith the nickname “Badman.”
“What really happened, when I started out playing blues with Milton, the people got really excited after we finished a song at a jam session,” Keith explained. “Milton said, ‘give it up for him folks, he’s a bad man.’ I said to myself, Badman is a great nickname for a blues guy, so I took it and the name stuck. Milton always reminds me that he is the person that named the Badman.”
Keith said it is only fitting that the blues community show its support and appreciation for Austin.
“Through good times and bad, when the money was good, or sometimes no money at all, Milton always came through when you needed him,” Keith said.
Many local blues star are expected form at the benefit, including Lady T, Nikki James and many others.
Performing with the Luther Badman Keith band will be keyboardist Mickey Atkins, bass player Jerome Juice Yancy and Mike Kilgore on drums. Admission is $10. donation.
The Blue Goose is located at 28911 Jefferson in St. Clair Shores. Phone, 586) 294-0690.
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