Little G Weevil is an International Blues Challenge winner, USA Blues Music Award, two time Blues Blast Music Award and Independent Blues Award nominee recording artist, southern blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, lyricist and producer with nine internationally acclaimed albums under his belt. He is a proud Honorary Lifetime Member Recipient of the Atlanta Blues Society. He is endorsed by Peavey.
Family history
Little G Weevil (birth name Gábor Szűcs) was born in the 10th district of Budapest, Hungary on the 6th of July, 1977. According to family research and DNA testing, his ancestors are Cuman (a Turkic nomadic tribe), Welsh-French (Western European), Jassic (an Eastern Iranic tribe) and Hungarian (Central European). Most likely his father’s family name was “Hungarianized” around 1905, based on original pronunciation from Souche, Souch or Such, which was a common practice during the „Magyarization” years when non-Hungarian nationals living in the Kingdom of Hungary were ordered to adopt the national identity and language.
During the Second World War, the Soviet army occupied Hungary. On Gee's mother's side, grandfather János was captured and sent to a Soviet labour camp for six years. He survived and returned home three years after the end of the war. On the father's side, the Soviet controlled Hungarian government (explanation by Wikipedia) took away all the land Gee's grandparents owned around the village of Kocsér (Pest County) and among with his two sisters and his already widowed mother Eleanor, Gee's father was forced to move to Budapest where he met his future wife. Gee paid tribute to his family history in his song Dad's Story.
Career
Gabor was born in 1977, in the middle of the Soviet occupation. His viewpoint of life was deeply affected by the colonialism and oppression at a very young age. According to the book he wrote in 2020, as a child he did not understand the purpose of oppression, the soldiers on the streets, why he had to study the Soviet anthem in school and why his documents are written in a foreign language.
“Hungary lifted restrictions on travel to Austria, enabling tens of thousands of East Germans to flee to the West. The September 1989 events in Hungary are often described as the first cracks in the Berlin Wall.” (source: Radio Free Europe)
With the changes in the political landscape global music freely flooded into Central Europe including Blues music. Despite the fact that Gee did not speak any English at the time, he fell in love with the music of John Lee Hooker, an African American blues singer and storyteller from Clarksdale, Mississippi. Gee's first choice of instrument was the drums but he sold his drum set and picked up the guitar at the age of 17. Two years later he was on stage. He always had such a drive and passion to perform that after seeing him jamming on three different stages on a single night, a fellow musician dubbed him “Little G Weevil. “He said, “like a damn weevil, you just pop up everywhere!”.
He formed his first band in 1996. He began touring in Hungary and surrounding European countries with different projects however, he was not satisfied with his own style. He found it hard to represent a musical genre he felt was an “expression tool” of a culture he was not familiar with.
In 2004, Little G Weevil applied for a visa and immigrated to the South of the United States. He landed in Birmingham, Alabama later relocated to Memphis, Tennessee doing any jobs he could to get by as he absorbed the music. He washed dishes, cleaned rooms, and did construction work as he tried to establish himself on the local scene. Finally he got his break with a steady gig on Beale Street in Memphis and his reputation started to grow.
His first solo recordings were produced in Memphis in 2005, recorded by local jazz/blues legend Charlie Wood.
Gee lived in a small, 12th floor apartment (1209) of the Cotton Exchange Building located only a few blocks away from Beale Street. He spent most of his time on Beale, watching other entertainers such as Dr. Feelgood Potts, Earl the Pearl, Preston Shannon, Ms. Zeno the Louisiana Mojo Queen. Gee fell in love with Mojo Queen's style and asked if he could join her band. The two teamed up and started gigging at Blues City Cafe as Louisiana Mojo Queen Band feat. Little G Weevil -"Hungarian Blues Artist with a Memphis Flare". Sadly, following the tragic death of his bandmate during a stage performance at Blues City Cafe, Gee left Memphis for England, thinking about giving up music. It was his girlfriend in London - the mother of his first child Harley - who encouraged him to continue with his art.
His debut album ‘Southern Experience’ was self-released in 2008. He made his first appearance in Canada that year, and returned to the US for a southern tour organized by Magic City Blues Society vice president Roger Stephenson. On this particular tour he met his future wife Brandi whom he married a year later at Grace Community Christian Church in Kennesaw, GA. Their son Asher was born at the Marietta Kennestone Hospital in July 2010.
Meanwhile Gee relocated to the USA and settled with his family in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Atlanta's blues music scene was not at its peak around this time however, dedicated local musicians kept the blues alive in small clubs, dives and bbq restaurants. Gee was advised to check out a singer, harmonica player named Maurice Nazzaro who often performs at Darwin's Burgers and Blues, a small but legendary blues club on the outskirts which later became Gee's home away from home. Needless to say, Maurice and Gee have been close friends ever since. Maurice and his long time friend, guitarist Danny Vinson helped Gee to settle in and find a band in order to release his second album ‘The Teaser’ produced by Lee Jones Mitchell out of Birmingham, Alabama. With only original songs on the record, this was a groundbreaking work for Gee that caught the attention of a worldwide audience. Sirius XM B. B. King's Bluesville Radio placed several songs on rotation, England's Mojo magazine ranked it the 10th Best Blues Album of 2012, France's Powerblues magazine voted it No 1 album for February 2012, even Hollywood actor Dan Aykroyd chose the song “Liquor Store' as ”Pick of the Week" in his House of Blues Radio show.
2013 was the year when Gee's hard work truly began to pay off: In January, he takes first place at the International Blues Challenge (Memphis) as a solo acoustic act. He's also awarded as “Best Guitarist” in his category. In July, his third record and first full length acoustic album ‘Moving’ is released with Vizztone Label Group. ‘Moving’ is ranked Top 3 “Best Blues Album of the Year” by Mojo magazine (UK). In December he's nominated for USA Blues Music Award, the highest honor given to blues musicians by the Blues Foundation.
The news of his achievements in North America made it back to his homeland. In 2014, he was invited to join the judging panel in Hungary's version of X Factor, the popular television music competition franchise. Despite the sudden fame and celebrity treatment, Gee did not have any intention in staying in Hungary and he returned to his American wife and child after only one season on Hungarian TV.
Although between the years of 2014 and 2020 Little G Weevil released four more albums and performed in the USA, Canada, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland, Slovenia and Hungary, he slowed down his touring schedule tremendously.
His 2017 album ‘Something Poppin’ was Gee`s first effort to venture away from traditional blues into a more contemporary sound.
“Weevil mixes blues with hip hop beats and rap, and the result is fantastic.” - American Blues Scene, 2017
The album premier took place in the Palace of Arts (MÜPA), one of the most prestigious venues in Budapest. The 1200 capacity main concert hall was sold out. The show featured Gee's long time drummer Daniel Harper from Atlanta, Dionne Bennett from the UK, Hungarian guitar legend Tibor Tátrai and last but not least Bruce James and Bella Black from Houston with their own set of original songs.
In the meantime, Gee and his wife divorced. In December 2018 Gee moved back to Budapest to look after his sick father (R.I.P. 1946-2022).
During the Covid-19 pandemic he wrote a biographical novel ‘Játssz Tovább’ (meaning Play On - adventures of a Hungarian blues man around the world) in Hungarian language. The book was distributed nationwide in Hungary, published by Trubadur. He followed up with a new record also titled ‘Play On’, his second modern blues album that contains nine Little G Weevil compositions and a cover song with guest singers featuring in most tracks: Ian Siegal, Dionne Bennett, Fatima Mohamed, Sena Dagadu, Vera Jonas, CeAnne, Rita Fóris, Jonathan Andelic, Gal “Boogie” Csaba. Gee wanted to take this project on the road in Europe but due to the two year long Covid-19 pandemic, he was unable to do so.
“Little G Weevil is an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed, with a career full of varied material and colorful, unique cross genre collaborations.” - Blues Festival Guide Magazine, USA, 2021
In 2021, he recorded a 100% live (without post-editing) solo acoustic album ‘Live Acoustic Session’ which earned him a Blues Blast Music Award nomination. He also co-wrote and produced Dionne Bennett's ‘Sugar Hip Ya Ya’ album that has topped the Roots Music Report soul/blues music chart in England.
Only a few weeks following the ‘Live Acoustic’ recording session Gee caught the coronavirus disease. He was on steroid inhalers for 5 months but gracefully recovered.
In 2023, he announced the release of a full length studio album with new original material. As of September 16, 2023 the album “If I May…” reached the No 1 position on Roots Music Report's global blues radio airplay chart. With this record he goes back to his traditional blues roots to frame 15 extremely productive years of original music publishing with over 80 compositions on 10 releases.
„…The new album is a superb set from someone who left an indelible impression on this city during his years here…” - Creative Loafing - Atlanta, USA, 2023
The story of Little G Weevil is beyond fascinating and definitely inspiring: A non- English speaking Caucasian teenager behind the Iron Curtain falls in love with African-American blues and culture. He immigrates to the South of the US, pays his dues for years, he becomes a highly respected authentic musician with his own unique take on southern blues, he rises, he falls then he rises again and falls again, and again, and again but somehow he always manages. “He is a true , all around , full blown poster boy for the blues” - says US blues critic John Muller, and yes indeed, we just have to pay attention to his lyrics; On a surface level, we see a driven, opinionated guy with his obvious love for blues and global roots music, women outside his race and good tequila. There are stories of never ending parties, occasional jail time, millions of miles traveled, some victories and celebrations then some failures and depression. On a deep level, Little G Weevil stands for equality, anti-racism, human rights, dignity and justice for all. His thought provoking lyrics are pure statements, full of direct and indirect messages.
Between 1996 and 2023 Little G Weevil performed over 2000 shows in 20 countries. During his travels he played barber shops, flower stores, street markets, dives, juke joints, restaurants, clubs, small and large music venues, theaters, indoor and outdoor festivals, even arenas. He opened shows for legendary musicians such as Aaron Neville, Johnny Winter, Denise LaSalle, C. J. Chenier, Otis Taylor, Lurrie Bell, Lightnin' Malcolm, Tinsley Ellis, and had the honor sharing the stage with Big Jack Johnson, John Popper, Lee Oskar, Anson Funderburgh, Sam Myers, Willie King, Cedric Burnside, Terry Evans, Billy Gibson, Lonnie Shields, John Nemeth, Bob Margolin, Ian Siegal, Louisiana Mojo Queen, Sharrie Williams, Big Daddy Wilson and many more.
“In summary, while much too young to be an elder statesman of the Blues, LGW has gained life lessons far beyond his years. In fact, he is indeed an old soul gifted with musical and writing capabilities beyond comprehension…Ladies & gentlemen, I present to you Little G Weevil in all his glory…” - Larry Eaglin aka Stagga Lee Henzel Host of "The Blues Therapy Show & Dance, WRFG Radio 89.3FM Atlanta, GA, USA, May 21, 2023
Recognitions:
2023 No 1 on Roots Music Report Global Radio Airplay Chart with ‘If I May…’
2021 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee "Live Blues Recording of the Year" for ‘Live Acoustic Session’ (USA)
2017 Independent Blues Award Nominee "Best Modern Roots CD of the Year" for ‘Something Poppin'’ (USA)
2017 Fonogram - Hungarian Music Award Nominee for 'Something Poppin'' (HUN)
2016 Independent Blues Award Nominee "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" for ‘Three Chords Too Many’ (USA)
2014 Mojo Magazine Top 3 “Best Blues Album of the Year” for ‘Moving’ (UK)
2014 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee "Acoustic Album of the Year" for ‘Moving’ (USA)
2014 The Blues Foundation Blues Music Award Nominee “Acoustic Artist of the Year” (USA)
2014 HANOSZ “Musician of the Year” Recipient (HUN)
2013 International Blues Challenge Solo Winner (Memphis, TN, USA)
2013 International Blues Challenge “Best Solo/Duo Guitarist” (Memphis, TN, USA)
2012 Mojo Magazine Top 10 “Best Blues Album of the Year" for ‘The Teaser’ (UK)
Discography:
2023 - If I May… (Gee Wee)
2021 - Live Acoustic Session (Hunnia)
2020 - Play On (Gee Wee)
2020 - Fish Tank (EP, Gee Wee)
2018 - Back in Alabama (Gee Wee)
2017 - Something Poppin` (Vizztone/XLNT)
2016 - Three Chords Too Many (XLNT)
2013 - Moving (Vizztone)
2012 - The Teaser (Apic)
2008 - Southern Experience (self release)