| "Montreal was a great jazz and blues town then and so every time I could afford to get into a club to hear blues I would. I saw Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. When I picked up the guitar, the very first song I learned was "Midnight Special." Shortly after that I discovered Jimmy Reed and added several of Jimmy's songs to my repertoire. Over the years I've had the opportunity to hear live, among others, Ellen McIlwaine, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, B.B. King, Marva Wright, Sue Foley, George Leach, Kelly Joe Phelps, Scott Goudie, Denis Parker, and Roger Howse. Not the least of all these very inspiring artists has been Peter Narvaez who opened up my world to some of the great female blues artists — Katie Webster, Koko Taylor, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Memphis Minnie whose songs I love and feel privileged to perform. One blues vocalist I must mention because she's so brilliant and she's had a signifiant affect on my work is Etta James. I think Etta's recording "Seven Year Itch" is an absolute masterpiece. I can safely say that I am a vocalist first and foremost and while I'm happy to grab my axe and play for a crowd, I love it when someone wants to back me and I can just cut loose. Lots of diffrent musical styles have come and gone in my life but I can't seem to shake the blues. And that's okay with me!" | |
