Well the Jimmy Warren Band is preparing for the studio.  I know, I know............. we just released our live CD.  But I'm about to burst.  We are going to begin recording the new JWB CD that will release early 2010 and begin to prepare a 2010 tour.

We will be recording in various places this time, but I must say the material is hot and not typical.  I hate labels...you know he's a "Rock" Guitarist or He a great "Blues singer."  We are breaking out of that mold with this CD.  10 fresh, diverse tunes, straight from the heart but packed with guitar.

I can honestly say that if the new Cd was a food dish it would surely be GUMBO! 

Get ready and stay tuned as we go through this.  We will release snippets as we progress.

Jimmy Warren Band

I've been playing the blues for 20 years.  I've been blessed to take the stage with greats like Jr Wells, Sugar Blue, Buddy Miles, Lefty Dizz and many many others.  I've had the chance to take the stage at great clubs like a  packed BB Kings in Memphis and a sold out house at Buddy Guys Legends.  I've  played rooms in Austin, New Orleans, St Louis and much more.....

One thing I've learned is the difference between professional musicians and non professional musicians.  Although some musicians have attitudes, it seems to be that most pros look out for and respect one another.  Example...I remember when I first started playing in Chicago. Local blues legend Buddy Scott was proven to be more than a pro...he was pro+. 

I recall him inviting me to sit in and play all over the city, eventually leading to gigs and meeting people.  I remember sitting in with Tyrone Davis at Lee's Unleaded Blues and my first time jamming with Sugar Blue at Buddy Guys, or my first sit in with JR Wells at the famed Checkerboard Lounge., all because of Buddy Scott.  Most importantly was how Buddy treated me.

Buddy set the example of the demeanor of a pro.  I personally have tried to live his example in my life in all areas.  I want to and enjoy seeing others artists achieve success and move upward.  I like talking shop with other musicians as well as sharing my experiences and knowledge also.

I'm not saying I'm pro or pro+ like buddy.  I'm saying their is a mindset and life attitude with pro players.  I would also say there are many many pro players who are not near famous or well know.  But certainly pros.

We need more Buddy Scotts in the business thats for sure!  First class pro all the way.  I'm thankful for his example.

I don't know how other artists & bands feel about self booking & promoting, but I can tell you how I feel about it.  I hate it and I love it.

     There is a good feeling when you make new connections and help move forward in your career.  Book a great gig, get your music on new stations, receive great reviews etc......I love that!    But I hate the process.  I don't like calling clubs, agents, press, radio again and again and again and again...... only to hear "Call me back next week."  Or to send numerous emails only to get NO response. Or better yet "We love your music and sound but can't do anything for you right now." 

     I hate visiting their websites sometimes to hear crap, knowing that you provide something better.  But, really, who's to say...it's all in the ear of the listener.  Who knows, maybe to them my stuff is crap.  So you shake it off and press on.   Not looking back or getting angry....just believing in yourself another day.

    After many years of pushing forward the hard way, I'm sure we all pray for someone to come along that sees potential in you and believes in your music and abilities.  Someone that we can trust in and put our faith in to help move us further along, get more exposure and tackle new markets.

     But in the mean time, well, we just  continue in this love hate relationship.  I hate to admit sometimes, I just get tired and fed up and don't do anything but wait, or get a job at the DQ.    Somedays I'll contact 100 people...... for me it's like mood swings.

    I'd love to hear how this effects you.  How you deal with this love hate relationship.  Well if I was a drinker......well, you know!

Jimmy Warren Band
    

The Jimmy Warren Band has signed with Vision Management International LLC.  Todd Culberhouse & Al D. Eakes of Vision have worked with some of the top entertainers in the world. Artists such as:  The Rolling Stones, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Vince Gill and many others.

The JWB is looking forward to  their CD release through Vision Records & Entertainment on Aug 18th.  Join the Jimmy Warren Band mailing list to keep posted on upcoming tours and information.  For more details go to:

Jimmy Warren Band Website
Vision Management International LLC

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I have shared how I get my tone and how I use cheap fender guitars and customize them with gear typically not found on a bluesmans guitar.  However, remember the process is personal in developing the tone that fits you and your style of playing.

I'm going to share a list of effects I use to help me enhance my tone.  I do not use any of these effects to create the tone, but at times I use them to create moods in a song.

The truth is I'm like allot of others who have more pedals than they could ever use in any show, but the process of discovering what works for me has also developed a nice collection of stomp boxes.  I mix and match and switch them up depending on the material I'm playing or writing.

But there  are some constant favorites.  If your company makes any of these pedals remember me for sponsorship.........

The 1st must have is...............Fulltone DejaVibe.
     The Fulltone Deja Vibe for me is the BEST univibe pedal on the market.  I like the wah pedal style because of the foot control and the variation of modern/classic, chorus/vibe and volume.  The sound from this is clasic and can be heard by artists like Doyle Bramhill Jr, Robin Trower and many many others.  It is my first must have pedal for sound enhancement.
      I gotta say, I'm a big big fan of Fulltone products. Flat out great effects!

The 2nd must have is ............the Gigfx Mega Wah
     I love this wah.  There are so many variations of sounds from Cry, Mega, Trig, Reverse and more.  You can control the gain, volume, intensity and much more.  I like it because it is a stereo pedal and if I run dual or AB its perfect.  I own a vox gold and a dunlop....but I'm a fan of the Mega Wah by Gigfx


The 3rd must have is............ The Digitech Whammy
     I know, I know.  I'm a bluesman.  How in the world would I come to choose this pedal.  Probrably because I'm a huge Satriani fan.   Besides that the octave, dtuning and dive options are great.  This pedal adds something that alot of people don't have or use in the blues genre.  You have to  choose how you use it tastefully or it becomes to much.  But be reminded in our shows from time to time I will pull out a Satch instrumental to grab people attention and to satisfy my inner needs.


The last one I'll share is this............Vox Satchurator
    I hope blues fans aren't ready to hang me.  But it is a great distortion pedal with good tone and diveristy.  I only use it as a boost for some solos.  I use to use and sometimes still do, the Fulltone Fat-Boost (great pedal).  But the Vox pushes me over the top and gives me the extra umph..I'm looking for at times.  I do not use it as a main source of distortion. (like it was ment).


Some people think I choose unusal effects and gear for blues, but once again....listen to my CD and tell me what you think of the tones?  The truth is the most precious are the boxes used to keep a clean pure signal and no noise.

The true must have toys are GREAT CABLES & CONNECTORS.  My freinds think I'm nuts for paying $200-$300 for a cable (more than I somethimes pay for the guitar...lol)  But maintaining a pure clean signal and playing live abscent any noise is worth much more.

Many of my cables have been custom made to my specs.  I work hard at not only creating a great sound, but in keeping it clean and pure.


So, go test drive these effects if you don't have them already.  Remember great tone isn't cheap.  Also me mindful of your cables and connectors and always go gold.

till next time

Blues To Ya

Jimmy Warren


Here's one of my configurations.........................

One of the things I hear the most is compliments on my tones.  If your a guitarist you know the work involved in creating good tones and a great sound. In all honesty it takes time and experimenting.

Over the years I've used so many different types of effects, amps, guitars etc.... in pursuit of a great sound I liked and that fit me.  20 years later (lol) I feel good and have it all dialed in.  Each player is different.  Each player is in their own pursuit of a sound.  I believe it should be something that fits them and not just sound like someone they like.

I remember my early days of playing and how I only used an amp with NO pedals or effects.  As a bluesman I figured it made the music "unclean."  I always believed you should be able to pick up and plug into to any style amp or guitar and make it sound good.  That was the sign to me or a great player.

Once I felt I could do that I moved on to the "toys" as I like to call them. you know, wah pedals, delay effects etc......

As I said I really do get tons of compliments on my tone and sound.  I will fill you in on some of the equipment I use to get it and that I trust in, but remember tone really is a personal thing.

I am a huge fan of the Tech 21 power engines.  I do not use an amp. only a powered cabinet with a 3 band eq.  I use two 65watt Tech21 cabinets with a 1 -12" speaker in each.  I like them because I create my tone seperate from an amp.  I run XLR's out of the power engines into the PA.  I hate to fight with the amp, pedals and everything else in developing my sound, so I simplified.

I use a Line 6 PODXT Live for developing and creating my tones.  I like it because I can connect it to my computer and tweak and create easliy right there in my office.  Let me say this, once I created the handful of tones I use I have not touched it since (it's been years now).  Also because I can simply take it anywhere I go,with out large pedal boards or amps and ALWAYS get my sound.

The POD is my source for tones, the tech 21 power engines only provide the power to push them. 

for me this is the heartbeat of it all.  Oh yeah you got to have a great strat of course.  Mine are all customized (thats for another blog).

I like a fat tone and cleans up at a lower volume and gets ballzy when you crank it up.  I like to have a good fat warm sound with controlable sustain.  I know some of this comes from your guitar.  Pickups, wood type, fret board wiring ect.....  But wth my POD & Tech 21's I can get my general tone no matter what guitar I play.

I'm a big fan of Fulltone, Vox & Gigafx effects.  The fulltone Dejavibe is by far one of my favorite  stomp effects to use.  For me the external pedal board that houses my univibe, wah, octaver and so on...are toys for me.  I am a believer in the BBE & ISP fornoise reduction and cleans signals.  It's nice to plug in and have zero noise.

So if your looking for you sound...... try it all once and try combinations of it all.  Find out what your favorite players use and dig in.  It is a long process, but once you reach your goal it's still doesn't stop!

Blues To Ya..........

Jimmy


check out my sound....