The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

The passage of time ultimately comes with the passing of friends and loved ones. It's the nature of things. We all die sometime. It's never easy to deal with for those left behind.  I'm not exactly young and I've definitely passed my share of caskets. It never gets easier. Today I was informed of the death of my friend and one-time UK booking agent Mike "2 Tone" Russell. He was in his 70s and his health hadn't been great for some time but damn, you're just never really ready to hear it.  I can tell you lots of things about him. He loved 50s rock & roll. He loved rockabilly. He dug the whole old school Teddy Boy scene. He dug old cars. I doubt he loved anything as much as fishing for carp! (to those of us in the US, I know just how bizarre that sounds. No, he didn't eat them. In the UK, especially in Wales, carp fishing is all about catch & release. Very humane really.) He had a carp nemesis, Buster, who resided in a muddy pond just outside ...

 Some Tips On How To Master An Instrument  * find the instrument that speaks the language you comprehend  * if you believe you "can't", you won't. If you push yourself,  you'll do just fine.  * you will start at the beginning,  just like everyone else.  * you will progress at your own pace.    * you will find obstacles in your way. You can either give up or learn how to overcome.  * you will not always remember everything every time. * learn to make sounds before notes,  chords, arpeggios.  It took you years to learn how to speak.  This won't happen overnight either.  * it will be difficult at times.  Learn to enjoy those times.  * practicing is fine.  Playing is better and often more productive.  * learn to play with others  * learn to understand and appreciate the space between notes  * mistakes happen. Pay attention to them. They might teach you something cool. * you probably won't bec...

I was asked this morning to write another article for a magazine that I used to write for. The timing was perfect as I'd received some news that put me in a contemplative mood. That, for me, usually equates to 'getting into writing mode'.  OK, I finished the article and emailed it. Still in writing mode...so time to empty the brain a bit. What better subject than GUITAR? I thought you'd agree (and if you don't, neener neener). I'm supposed to record some bass lines for a friend's project later. I enjoy playing bass. Always have. Some might even say I'm good at it. That particular instrument is a nice change in how I approach a song. While I've played guitar for over 40 years, I've only been primarily a guitarist for just over 30. Those other years were spent thumping basses.  Regarding guitar, many have noted that I have my own style. I'm told that people can hear a recording and know if its me. Whether or not that's a good thing remains ...

 I've been posting this for what, 14 years? 16 years? I've lost count. Its 2020...time has lost meaning. Each day feels like a month. Some hours feel like weeks. But thankful? Damned right I am. If you're reading this...we made it this far! Time to dig in, avoid green bean casserole at all costs, and count our blessings. FYI...green bean casserole is what started this mess! Thanksgivus: that's what she called it. The 'she' in question would be a very short, loud, middle aged black woman with retardation who I supervised for years. Her name is Omega...fitting because she truly is THE END! Omega didn't exactly have a speech problem but I think her hearing wasn't 100% on the mark, as certain words would get slurred together such as "Thanksgivus". Another fave was her version of Social Security, which often sounded more like "sociable secretary" (of which I've known a few). Thanksgivus (which is what I now prefer to call the US holida...

 I'm pretty sure no one reads this anymore...and really, I'm OK with that. So, this ones for me. This whole pandemic thing has been hard on me. I know...BOO HOO. Its been hard on everyone. I just need to vent. It'll be good for me. As I was saying, pandemic hard...me no handle well. For the first time in 40+ years, I have no shows booked. I had shows...but when I ceased working with Hawkins (for reasons most of you probably know) those shows went.  Still buying gear...like a damned junkie. Bought a lap steel, a new guitar (both dirt cheap) and a surprisingly inexpensive upright bass. (its worth a LOT more than I paid...but I digress) My depression finally kicked into full gear in August. It had been bouncing around, up and down, since March. Probably a similar situation for others who share this particular malady.  I had been functioning pretty well. Just slower than I'd like. I've become a hermit. With the exception of necessary trips, I've not left my neighbor...

photo by Nick Ker It seems the country is ideologically divided. This is never a good thing. The so-called conservatives have the White House, control of the Senate and a majority on the Supreme Court. They've been going out of their way to fill judicial seats wherever they can. How does this play out in the long term? Something to think about. Come November, there is always a chance of an extreme Red Wave. Complete and utter control of all branches of government. What if that wave extends through all 50 states? Then what? What sort of dystopian horror show might we one day soon wake up to? Immigrants Pretty easy to guess they'll be gone. Our borders will become super fortified. No one gets IN or OUT. You have to worry about that last part. Immigrants aren't just migrant farm labor, housekeepers and drug dealers/rapists/bad hombres. A growing majority of doctors in this country are from other countries. Names like Singh, Patel, Chang, Hidalgo, Reyes, Nguyen, e...

I've been a money-earning guitar basher for 40 years. Some might tell you I know what I'm doing. God and I will probably have a chuckle at that...but I digress. People often ask me who I listen to. The answer could take weeks, possibly months, to answer...if its even possible. I listen to all sorts of music, for all sorts of different reasons. Some because its music I should listen to (Bach is at the top). Some simply because I dig it (The Blasters, The Beatles, The Ramones all come to mind). I love my blues! Gimme the Alberts (Collins/King), the Kings (BB, Albert, Freddie), the jazzier cats like Tiny Grimes, Bill Jennings, and Little Charlie. I listen to some music for inspiration, some for instruction. Some stuff I'll listen to on recommendation. But just what the heck am I listening to these days? Aside from SEE ABOVE, this is a short list of my more recent go-to pickers...and what I dig about them. Jim Campilongo: A bizarro Telebender. I first got hip to him when...