Born in 1960, and raised in Louisiana, I was exposed to Louisiana music at an early age. Jazz, Cajun, and Swamp Pop are part of the Louisiana music legacy.
There had always been a cheap guitar laying around the house, so I fooled with it from time to time. It was an old Silvertone bought at Sears.
I listened to Top 40 radio like most people. However, it was The Beatles that made me want to be a musician. It would be years before I understood what they had achieved in the studio, but I was totally taken aback by their work. My mother and I used to listen to them together when she was alive.
Then, when I was about thirteen, my brother Tom brought home a copy of "The Allman Brothers Live At Fillmore East." It had a profound effect on my musical thinking, and it was a far cry from the Top 40 to which I had been listening.
Then someone (Joe Hoyt--a dear friend) brought over a copy of "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs." This made me want to get to the roots of blues.
I bought a copy of Freddie King's "Burglar." This was straight ahead blues. Eventually, I would seek out more obscure work by other blues/jazz artists.
Later, in my teens, Lee Ritenour released an album titled "Captain Fingers." This was so new to me. I dinstinctly recall his version of the Stevie Wonder song "Isn't She Lovely." I shed to that album for many long hours.
For a short time in the seventies a few jazz artists did well. George Benson is one I admired deeply. He played with such taste. I was stunned.
At about age sixteen I began taking lessons from a local musician named Doug Kearney. He was adept at jazz and was a wealth of information. I got a fake book and practiced everything I could, as well as learned everything he taught me.
Years later I played with the Mambo Combo at the Cotton Gin in Alexandria. The lineup was Doug Kearney on guitar, Monty Lamaze on bass, Bud Albright on drums, and me on second guitar. I found it difficult to open up while playing in a band with my former teacher. However, this was the best band lineup with whom I had ever played. Working with such seasoned players made me a better musician. I'm thankful for that.
That band split up and I continued to work. I played frat parties at LSU and Tulane. These gigs were very lucrative and highly sought after. We played the SAE house more than any other. Many of the members of the SAE Frat House were from Alexandria. I still see them around town and they always ask about my music.
I also played with Clint West, a founding member of the popular Louisiana band The Boogie Kings. I did a seven and-one-half year stint with him. I learned a lot about professionalism from Clint. We worked between 250 to 300 nights a year at Tobe's Lounge in the Ramada Inn. I also took jobs on the side like happy hours at The Spirits, Saturday afternoons at The Daquiri Hut, etc.
I've played so many places that they all kind of run into each other when I think about it. However, I have grown tired of road work and have decided to concentrate on selling CD's over the internet. The "net" has changed the way we do everything.
So, if you want to buy some of my music, I have options available on my profile. Or, if you just want to listen, feel free to drop by anytime. I change the list of songs rather frequently, so check back from time to time. Also, occasionally, I make songs available for free downloads. Be sure to check my profile for free music.
Bobby Darin sings a "Simple Song Of Freedom"
Nilsson - Everybody's Talking
Bob Dylan - Blowin' In The Wind
Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A Changin'
The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn
Lulu - To Sir With Love
Dan Fogelburg - The Leader Of The Band
Dion - Abraham, Martin, and John
The Beatles in India (Pt. 1)
