Have you ever had a chance to speak directly
with one of your heroes?
Someone you have respected for years
from afar, and then the
opportunity presented itself to make contact?
Myself - I had to settle for a phone conversation.
But I was so uplifted by the whole thing.
You won't find a more down to Earth person
than legendary bassist
Tom Fowler;
whose connection
with the luminaries of the music biz
are hard to match.
A couple of years as a member of
Frank Zappa's recording band;
worked with Ray Charles -
Just check out his site for a fat look and listen.
He's on my friends & clos eto my heart.
He has been influencing my music
for years and never even knew it.
The short story is this.
Down to Earth guy - bunch of dogs
yelping in the background;
grinding fresh french roast
beans while we spoke -
He just talked to me of
life music and the pursuit
of pursuits in this biz we call show.
Small private stories were shared -
we made each other laugh quite a few times.
He is going to work on some tracks with me
in the really near future.
My honor to have that happen.
Talked of the old days
and life on the road.
You know the main thing
you need to make it in music is
a good travel agent?
Ben Sidron said so,
but I never believed him.
Anyway - I am so
excited I could bust.
Don't tell him will ya?
But I was impressed &
surprised at the graciousness
he would give to a
strange unknown like me;
And his true humanity
just out there over the wires.
Not a handshake
- but damn close.
Gotta love that!
Go check out Tom's site -
his music along
with the Fowler Brothers
is still out there
- and we're going to start
experimenting with
some of his stuff
and with some of my stuff.
Who knows what's next?
Thanks so much for
your time Mister Fowler.
James