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 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 Burdine introduced me to Joey McGee, and I’ve played with Joey and with Jim longer than I’ve played with any other musicians. Joey is an incredible singer-songwriter in the true Texas tradition. As his sideman in a duo or in his band, I get to play guitar, mandolin or harp, depending on the song, the set-up, and his in-the-moment inspirations (!!).
With Joey I've played some sacred and revered places of lore -- Gruene Hall, Saxon Pub -- and some incredible events, e.g., the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas, and "off"-SXSW in Austin (at Stiles Switch BBQ).
Be sure to see the video clips below!
...written by Joey. At the Grand Stafford in Bryan, TX
...written by Joey. At Stiles Switch BBQ during their 'off" SXSW event
...by Joey. At the Grand Stafford.
...another original. At Stiles Switch BBQ in Austin.
....original by Joey. At the Village in Bryan TX during First Friday.
...original by Joey. Picks up in the song as Joey introduces the band, last song of the gig, Grand Stafford in Bryan TX
Joey covers this tune at a gig in downtown Bryan, TX
Joey covers the Whiskeytown tune at a gig in Bryan TX
...original by Joey. At the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas, 2018
...closing out Joey's original, "Hurricane" at the Grand Stafford in Bryan.
...original by Joey. At Stiles Switch BBQ in Austin
from one of those Sunday afternoon gigs at Gruene Hall, 2018
...from a party back in 2012. Steve DeMarco on guitar, Jim on keys, Ryan on bass.
Finally I get to play harp on a James Brown number!
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