So here's the first (and hopefully not last) blog.
This whole myspace thing is crazy! I was egged on to get on myspace over a year ago(I think?) in hopes of landing some new work for my band, The Shuffle Kings. While that hasn't really panned out how I'd like, (but thats ok, been too busy touring with James Cotton) I've run up on alot of old friends, both musically and personally, as well as made a whole slew of new ones. (as you can tell by the number of "friends" I have)
Those of you who know me well, know I've been threatening a new record(or CD now I suppose) for some time now. While thats still the intention, gotta make some $$ so I can fund it properly. I've got a number of new material just waiting to "waxed" as they say, so be patient!!!!
I've been blessed in so many ways its unbelievable, musically, I've gotten to work alot of my heroes that are still alive, and thats been so much fun, and I've been PAID to see the world. While I can't say I've seen alot of sights, I can tell you where the best accomodations are!!! To be on the verge of turning 30 and have worked with who I've had the pleasure of working with, its mindboggling.
I've got a beautiful wife, and and even more beautiful son, Maceo, who amazes me every day. But since this is my "band page" my gushing over my family will come at a later date. But I will say watching my son grow up right before my eyes is a miracle in itself, with every road trip it gets harder to go out and be away from home. Thankfully I'm doing well enough monetarily when I leave on the road, which is nice.
I've been fortunate enough to be able to make a living doing what I love for 10 years now. Boy time flies!!!! I have to take this time to thank those who've given me the opportunity to share my gift with the world. John Primer for seeing something in a young guitarist, nuturing it, and watching it bloom. I can't thank you enough for all those bandstand slide guitar lessons!!! Eddy Clearwater for taking me to Europe for the first time, and letting me develop my "bandleader" chops. and finally, to James Cotton, for getting me back out on the road, playing the kind of blues I always loved to play, all the stories that come out in the van, about the "good ol' days"...... there's alot more ahead and everey tour proves another learning experience, and the train keeps rollin along as they say!!
There's alot of other folks I've worked with, that I didn't expound on, but thats for another blog I suppose. I have to also thank a dear friend of mine, who's stuck with me, Pat McKeever. He got me into Eddy Clearwater's band, after seeing me with John Primer, and he's by and large THE best bassist I've ever worked with. We always seemed to know where each other was going before we go there. Cut from the same cloth I suppose. So if anybody needs a good bass player, look up Pat goddammit!!!!!!
Those of you reading this thinking, "it can't be that hard to go on the road," you have to have EXTREMELY thick skin. Its not all sunshine, and roses. Its long hours between gigs in a cramped van, with a bunch of guys who smell funny, look funny, and are just trying to make it back home with some money in their pockets. (Not that its like this ALL the time, but it happens from time to time) There have been many times where the sound is messed up, somebody gets messed up, the money isn't right, when it should be. Hotels that on paper look wonderful, and you end up pulling up to the bates motel. As musicians, we all work very hard at our craft, and alot of times, don't get the respect we should. What all makes this worth doing is getting on stage, plugging in, and "lettin it rip," and seeing a roomful of people come alive and hanging on every note. Just seeing one person smile, bobbing their head to the music, or dancing(sometimes embarassingly so) our job is done. Some folks say music heals, and I see it heal every night I get on a bandstand and play. So you ask, damn doesn't he shut up? Well, this is whats on the mind of the shuffle king right now. Sorry for the rant, I'll be stepping off my soapbox now. Thanks for reading, and I promise, next blog won't be so all over the place.
Go out and support your local blues band, cause without you, there is no us!!!!
in the words of John Primer, "Keep on lovin the Blues!!!"