Band leader Leonard formed the Bluse Mechanics on a Saturday
night at the 357 Club at 24Th and Ames in November of 1992
starting an economic engine that is still running today.
As the crowd grew from a few dancers to the full capacity of
the hall in a matter of months, barbers, beauticians,
babysitters, clothing stores, and car washes increased their
weekend sales as people prepared early in the week to be at
the 357 on Saturday nights.
The music the band played appealed to the over 35 females in
the community providing strong word of mouth and minimal
advertising expense.
When singer Charles (The Iceman) Ice did "If You're Gonna Walk
On My Love The Least You Can Do Is Take Off Your Shoes", women
in the audience would take off their shoes and laugh as they
put them in front of the bandstand---and there were a lot of
shoes there at every gig.
Money circulated to the 357 and the performers as well.
For every drink or paid admission sold, the customer spent many
times that much in preparation for the evening's performance.
Mr. Williams borrowed no money to start the band so they made a
profit from the first night.
Their product was music and he succeeded because of quality
control.
The band met for breakfast after gigs and he dispensed feedback
and guidance not unlike the restaurant scene in "What's Love
Got to Do with It?" where Ike introduces himself to Tina.
He had goals for the band and let them know how close they were
to achieving them.
Guitarist Richard Johnson a charter member, stayed with the
band for years and singer Johnnie Ray, from Memphis Tenn. made
serious contributions to the band under William's leadership
Leonard's salesmanship got them work in The Stage II, 2ND Time
Around, The Bali Hi and other North Omaha venues.
The band delivered good shows each time and eventually wound
up working in West Omaha and Midtown venues.
Their positioning in the Blues community got them work in
festivals on the bill with Indigenous, and The Allman
Brothers Band.
By building on what he started on 24Th Street, and keeping
the drama to a minimum Leonard Williams, though no longer
performing because of health concerns can be assured that
band he started will provide work for Omaha Musicians far
into the future.