Bill is the son of banjo composer Tony Ellis and godson of bluegrass patriarch Bill Monroe. An acoustic blues musician and writer by profession, Bill has a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Memphis and a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. He spent nine years as the pop music critic for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, and is currently a professor teaching History of Pop Music, World Music and music theory. Among his recordings are Conqueroo, picked by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of 2003’s best albums, and the Jim Dickinson-produced God’s Tattoos, winner of Best International Blues Recording by a Solo Artist at the 2007 Bluestar Awards in Australia. He co-produced the 2005 Handy-nominated album, Big Joe Jumps Again!, by late Cincinnati barrelhouse piano master Big Joe Duskin.