William R. Emerson,[1] was an American R&B and rock and roll singer and songwriter turned preacher, best known for his 1955 song, "Red Hot.

He has worked with blues musicians, such as Earl Hooker, Lonnie Brooks, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Robert Knighthawk.

[2] Emerson received an athletic scholarship to attend Florida A&M University, but left to join the United States Air Force during the Korean War in 1952.

He released another single backed by Turner on guitar before leaving his band and joining a group led by Phineas Newborn.

[5] On the Chess label he recorded "Holy Mackerel Baby" and a remake of "Woodchuck" which was an earlier Sun single.

As a songwriter, Emerson wrote dozens of songs for artists such as Junior Wells, Willie Mabon, Wynonie Harris, (' Buzzard Luck '), and Buddy Guy.