Doubleshot
2000-2002 B'ham AL
After the G-Men I spent several months woodshedding and writing new songs. It was a refreshing and creative time. But within six months of leaving, Mike Dye called me up: He and Seebie had moved on and joined Mark Barrett, a talented guitarist and front man, to form a house band for Bob Staples, owner of a couple of local bars. It was strictly a cover band, for a fun and steady gig. Together, those guys formed Rattlesnake Productions, committed to bringing a variety of acts to Bob’s venues. They missed no opportunity to promote us.
Bandmates
- Mark Barrett - vocals, guitar
- Seebie Camp - bass, vocals
- Mike Dye - drums, vocals
- Tim Elliott - vocals, guitar, harp
The Scene
And they did. In a short time we opened for Jimmy Thackery, Scott Holt, Commander Cody, Magic Slim, the Nighthawks, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Big Mike Griffin, the late Sean Costello, Joe Louis Walker, Cash McCall and Clarence Carter – and those are the ones I remember. We played biker gigs (at Kenny’s in Pell City), and a couple of memorable Halloween parties in Trussville (*where was* that place?). Frankly, I needed the work and Bob gave us plenty. Mark knew how to put on a show and how to read a crowd. Mike and Seebie had a blast, and I got to meet a lot of musicians I'd respected and enjoyed for many years (e.g., Russell Smith, Mark Wenner) and got to experience some of their quirky humor (Thackery, the Commander; Thackery loved the old Roadhog Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys recording, and would cite segments in a heartbeat. The drummer told us they had to listen to it on the bus!). There was also the occasional off-beat incident or two at some of these gigs that make for great stories with the right company.
Upshot
In time, Mark and I had our differences, unfortunately. I really learned a lot from him but wanted more from the band. We were very good. And then we all noticed a huge drop in the vibe when we opened for Thackery the Thursday after 9/11. Crowds just were not into the music like before. Bob eventually sold his bar on Valley in south B’ham and moved his attention to his bar in Pelham. Mark hooked up with other musicians in town and started booking his own gigs. He's still at it, too. You can find him online and in New Orleans, often playin' gigs on Bourbon Street.