Now in Texas

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I got to Texas and starting playing with Jim Burdine, a colleague and friend. Jim has his own rich history as a musician with a day job, having played keys with his L.A. band, the InRhodes, back in the '60s. We've played several parties and jams.  He also introduced me to other musicians here, like Ryan Sheridan, a great bass player and all-around dude. Together we got with Steve DeMarco and briefly had a blues band (and I finally got to play harp on "Cold Shot"! Check out the video at the bottom of this page). 

I met some bluegrass guys when they needed a mandolin player for their gig at the Bluebonnets and Bluegrass Festival several years ago.  Dan Peterson approached me and got me to a local blues jam, and he invited me to sit in  on harp with the King Bees (and was lucky to play the Ptarmigan Club with 'em -- home of the "Flamin' Dr. Pepper" -- before it closed up.   

Jim introduced me to Joey McGee, a professional singer-songwriter in Bryan, Texas. Our musical sensibilities were in synch, and I've been a sideman on call for him over the past 14 years. Joey is a songwriter in the true Texas tradition. When we play, I am free to play electric guitar, mandolin or blues harp, depending on the song. It brings everything together for me: my musical tastes, my interest in original music, and playing music with a great friend. 

With Joey, I've played gigs in some sacred and revered places of Texas musical lore, including Gruene Hall and the Saxon Pub. We were the first band to play at the Round Top One Square Mile music festival that began in 2023, kicking off a new music event in Texas (pictured above). For several years we've played at Stiles Switch BBQ music event during SXSW, and we played at the (now departed) Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas.  There is nothing like playing original music in Texas, y'all. Check out the videos and pics below. There's more to come.