Blues Profile
Otis & the Alligators
by Ray Stiles
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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The group, Otis & the Alligators came about as the result of a unique jam session in 1987. Several blues artists had been jamming together regularly in Stevens Point when Otis McLennon and a few other musicians decided to get on stage one night and play four or five standard blues songs together. "We hit it and we sounded tight," McLennon said. "So when we finished playing and the bar owner asked, "What's the name of your band?" A quick-thinking musician said, "Otis and the Alligators." The bar owner then asked if he could book them. "We said Okay, looked at each other and rolled our eyes." This auspicious beginning came as quite a surprise so the new band quickly made some personnel and lifestyle changes and started booking shows. The Alligators, fronted by the wailing harmonica playing and raw powered vocals of Otis McLennon was one of the few blues bands north of Madison at that time and quickly developed a devoted following of blues fans. A typical Alligators' set features tasty originals, some old soul and R&B classics, and 12-bar saloon standards. The group has also released four albums over the past decade. Otis McLennon was born and raised in Chicago and has lived in Stevens Point, Wisconsin since 1972. Several years ago Otis helped establish the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival in Wausau, Wisconsin where his band has been an annual performer and he has served as master of ceremonies since it's inception. In 1998 he also helped form the Great Northern Blues Society in Stevens Point. Otis & The Alligators will be performing at The Reef on Friday night.
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