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 several CD's over the past two decades, and their shows today are as energizing as ever. 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. He has also served as master of ceremonies since it's inception. For booking information contact: |