A stampede of both music legends and one hit wonders have risen from Austin’s music clubs and corner bars to reach national fame and stardom. This long list of pickers, singers and others includes Janis Joplin, the 13th Floor Elevators, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Fred and His Playboy Band, as well as Texas blues brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, just to name a few.
Guitarist Robben Ford began his musical journey at age ten as an alto sax player. A keen interest and understanding of the woodwind instrument, as well as a fondness for the ‘cool jazz’ sounds of Paul Desmond and his legendary recordings with guitarist Jim Hall, helped fuel his musical aptitude at a young age. It proved to be an attraction that only intensified, as the sounds of Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane became elements within the same fascination. Integrate that scenario with an interest in the blues and a flair for emulating Mike Bloomfield and other blues guitar favorites, and one can easily understand Robben Ford’s fondness for both instruments.
Rocker, singer-songwriter, award winning author, music workshop leader and more, Debra Devi, hits all cylinders with her hi-test drive that’s made her talents highly sought after for on-stage performances and presentations. And her ASCAP award winning book, The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John) is an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award winner, that has grabbed the attention and accolades of some of the best blues masters of our day.
As a follow-up to our Tal Nacarrato interview, here’s PART 2! We found Tal’s insights into performing, practicing, lessons learned to keep focused very helpful and one of our interviews that’s helpful to return to periodically to remind us of how to raise our games as musicians and on-stage performers.
Classically trained, Naccarato clearly knows his way around the fretboard as illustrated on his new album, Ten and Two Blues, to be released on April 27th 2022, as well as on his last three albums, Hot House Flowers, Piedmont Black & Blue, and Dreamflower Sessions…
Not only is Teddy Richards a seasoned session musician, he is also a well-accomplished singer-songwriter and performer, and as a result has opened with his original compositions for artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Seal and The Verve Pipe. He’s also co-written some great songs with the likes of Andrew Farriss (INXS), Carlos Alomar (David Bowie), and Marcy Levi (Natalie Cole, Joe Cocker) and the legendary, Al Green.
Tal Naccarato is game to roll along the landscape and streetscapes of America to make musical and spiritual connections with others in all walks of life who appreciate and share his love of well-crafted original music, music that comes from life’s hard won experiences and from the souls of artists.
Here’s a classic Guitar International interview from March 17, 2008. By Michael Shea. Roy Rogers. Photo by Michael Shea. Let’s get it over with right at the start. Master slide guitarist, Roy Rogers, was named after the King of the Cowboys film star. Roy will be the first to admit that he’s had fun with […]
Singer-songwriter, Jeffrey Pine, hails from the Santa Barbara, California, environs, although he’s toured the country performing solo and with others. Pine also periodically finds himself recharging his creative spirit, by seeking refuge and maybe silence in the beauty and solitude of the desert.
On the circuit, A.J. Croce has opened up for such musical icons as: Lyle Lovett, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Dave Matthews, Ray Charles and traded licks with Willie Nelson, Ry Cooder, Waylon Jennings, the Neville Brothers, and David Hidalgo. Fans could also find him on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Today Show, Good Morning America
A fine bluesman in his own right, Kenny Wayne Shepherd pumps his own style of blues into both savage mean licks, as well as in moving heartfelt emotional riffs that cut deep with the best of his contemporaries. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Shepherd earned his blues stripes with an explosive amount of guitar flash, but also by sticking to the roots of the blues…
