I Can Dig It Baby - Little Beaver
Willie Hale (born August 15, 1945), often known by the name Little Beaver, is an American R&B guitarist, singer and songwriter featured on many hit records since the 1960s. Hale was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, and acquired the nickname "Little Beaver" as a child because of his prominent teeth. He became a virtuoso guitarist at an early age. In the early 1960s he moved to Florida, and in 1969 was signed by songwriter and producer Willie Clarke to the Cat label, an offshoot of Henry Stone’s TK Records. As a session musician, his characteristic guitar sound was soon heard on many hit TK recordings, including Betty Wright’s “Clean Up Woman”. (However, contrary to some sources, he was not featured on George McCrae's "Rock Your Baby", which featured Jerome Smith of KC & the Sunshine Band). In 1972 he launched a solo career with the single “Joey”. His biggest solo hit came in 1974 with “Party Down”, which made # 2 on the US R&B chart. He also released f...