Troubadour is a good fit to describe Ryan David Green, but dig a little deeper and you’ll soon realize the guy’s a guitar aficionado, with a touch sometimes so light that it sounds easy, as he bends, taps and cajoles his strings to bring out their magic.
A self-taught musician with a strong reverence for guitar masters, Ben Gallaher’s songs radiate a passion for the lyric-driven country music that influenced him as a young boy listening to his parents’ radio in smalltown Pennsylvania. The triple-threat singer, songwriter and guitarist recently released a must-hear cover of Bryan Adams’ 1983 smash hit “Cuts Like a Knife,” on which he plays every guitar part, including the song’s iconic solo.
We met with Judy Collins at the Willard International Hotel in Washington, D.C., the day of her show at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. As one would guess, the artist that prompted the writing of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” has a captivating gaze and an elegance and intellect that have been nurtured by her life’s journey.
Besides the fact that he’s one of the most important guitarists in pop music history, Steve Cropper’s career milestones extend far beyond that significant achievement. Throughout the prime years of Stax Records, when they were releasing some of the greatest soul and r&b music ever recorded, he was a crucial player, from the perspective of both musician and behind the scene
In a music era where the airwaves are destitute of rock guitar, Godfrey Townsend unleashes an album of virtuoso steel-string wonder, reminding us that our electric guitar fanaticism still has sturdy legs. Easy Journey to Other Planets saddles up and takes us for a guitar romp, unlike any that we’ve heard for some time.
In the early 1980’s Roy Rogers spent several years touring with John Lee Hooker before going out on his own with The Delta Rhythm Kings in 1986. Since that time Roy has stayed busy, not only as a performer, songwriter, and recording and guest artist, but, also as a producer of recordings by John Lee Hooker and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Roy has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and three W.C. Handy Awards. He still tours the world with The Delta Rhythm Kings, alongside bandmates Steve Ehrmann [bass] and Billy Lee Lewis [drums].
Perla Hudson, the wife of Velvet Revolver’s legendary guitar player, Slash, has navigated the depths and ridden the crests of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for a decade. And no one would be surprised if she simply wrapped herself in that self-indulgent lifestyle that we hear about that beckons and, sometimes, overcomes the rich and famous. But, we spoke to Perla, and she let us know that she and her husband had more important things to take care of and nurture.
Larry Coryell has been, and continues to be, an innovative force of jazz guitar and is credited by many with being among the first players to champion the jazz-rock and fusion movements. After reviewing his new autobiography, Improvising: My Life in Music (Backbeat Books)
By the time he was a teenager; Eric Gales was being hailed as the “Second Coming” of Jimi Hendrix and had signed a contract with Elektra records. The early 1990s saw two albums released, two hit singles, multiple awards and even an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show.
Capturing the imagination and the spirit of live performing is multi-award winning singer-songwriter, Michelle Swan, who’s solo work is impressive and her ability to front “pickup” bands in the Washington, D.C. area, and grab the attention of audiences, immersing them in her songs and on-stage charisma, is always a good lesson for her contemporaries on “how to” entertain a crowd.
