"A" Side Willie

A night shift factory worker from St. Louis, Missouri who recorded a demo at Profound Sound, the home studio of John Nolan, president of the Missouri Songwriters Association. In 1987, Willis entered the demo for "After Christmas Syndrome" in Blueberry Hill's first St. Louis Song Contest. The Single won in the jazz category and was released as part of a six-pack of winning singles. Willis kept his job on the night shift, but with the help of his wife, JoAnne, he began to promote the song with such DJs as Dr. Demento. Willis and his wife would re-release the single on their own A Side label and gained considerable airplay on local stations as well as WGN in Chicago.