Seems I was using WAY TOO MUCH space in the INFLUENCES box on the profile page, so...it's been pared down.  For those of you actually interested in who and what gave me the bug to start and keep doing this for a living, below you'll find an expanded version of Davee's INFLUENCES with a wee bit o' history thrown in... Thanks for dropping by and spending a little time with us.

Read On (and on).       

Influences...

From the very early days...Ricky Nelson, Johnny Horton, Satchmo, Pete Fountain, Big Band Swing, Mid 60s AM Radio (blasting away under the pillow at night on my older brother Bob's 'transistor radio'), THE BEATLES, CCR...

Two other important early influences were a pair of New Yorkers from The Bronx, who worked a few summer seasons near my home town up in 'The Great North Woods' of New Hampshire... Alvin Young and Norman Bifano...Among others, they turned me on to TSOP, Lou Rawls and Sly Stone. From them, I also learned that friendship, like music, knows no color bar.

After I started playing the guitar, I guess it comes down to all time guitar faves. GEORGE HARRISON (my main man), followed by ERIC CLAPTON, LESLIE WEST, ROBIN TROWER and The Three KINGS (ALBERT, BB and FREDDIE).

From the late 60s through the mid 70s, we always listened to everything. Back then, after hearing just a couple of notes or a phrase you KNEW who was playin'...Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Santana, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter, Peter Green, Mark Farner, Frank Marino, Peter Frampton, Jan Akkerman, Steve Howe, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood (hard to tell if he's a better painter or picker), Richie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Elvin Bishop, Gary Rossington, Peter Banks, Amos Garrett, all these and more.

There's something truly magical about all those great, larger than life Chicago Blues artists as well. Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, Son Seals, Magic Sam...Time and space here won't allow for all the other great players that can still take me away to another time and place, their influence still felt.

I feel fortunate to have been mentored early on by two great players that gigged around northern New England,  Boston based Funk Rocker - Chris Hewitt (Chris Martin Group) and Canadian Blues Great, turned World Class Luthier - Brian Monty (High Street Underground). See some of Brian's works of art at www.brianmonty.com ... Susan Pinker wrote a really cool Montreal Gazette article that you can read. The link is on Brian's website.

Moving on, friends and 'brothers in arms' Wayne Roberts and Steve Robbins helped me stretch out beyond the funkier Blues that was my playing foundation. They turned me on to the singer/songwriter approach to (what I STILL consider to be) 'real Country' music. A tip of the hat to Jonathon Wilson's input also, for playing a part. They are probably why  much of my writing still leans in this direction.

Then, there's the era of the 'Token Eskimo Blues Band' (dubbed 'Oreo Blues Band' by J.W.). A band from 'scratch', including brothers Leo and Julius 'Boody' Mason along with a revolving cast of characters like Mel and Belle (The Hell Sisters), Tank and Butch. We had some strange,'semi-magical' ability to turn EKU off-campus club dates into 'Happenings'. Mostly, pure unbridled passion fueling crazed hijinx.

Various and sundry Blues artists have kept me on the road to discovery (Thanks, Slim). Seeing BUKKA WHITE perform was an epiphany in itself. Playing shows with JOHN LEE HOOKER was one of life's big treats, as was being coached by ALBERT KING from the side of the stage.

During my years in Houston, performing with Joe 'Guitar' Hughes, an artist that never received his due in 'The States', was an honor and privilege. Joe, like many Texas Blues guitarists of his generation, used T Bone Walker as his foundation, then added his 3rd Ward Texas and Gulf Coast guitar approach to accompany his rich soulful voice. An excellent songwriter, his graciousness and support will always be remembered. All part of the great learning curve of LIFE, LOVE and MUSIC.

Current influences on my ever-evolving writing and playing styles seem to come from all around. Mostly, my life and travels. There's so much great stuff out there... tho' you won't hear most of it on your payola'd homogenized 'mainstream station'. The MySpace network has been an eye and ear opener (just look at the 'Top Friends' section below), with old and new 'friends' able to reach a new and larger audience.

One should be open to new experiences, be it MUSIC, LOVE or LIFE in general. Musical Influence is all around. Sometimes, songs just come. Like Bukka White once stated, "I just reach up and pull 'em out of the sky".  Art imitates life imitates art...

Thanks.  Play Hard.  Travel Safe.  db