When the Monkeydust Settles

This is another installment in the Artist Spotlight Series.   I plan on doing more of these, if you would like to be featured, or would like to suggest an Artist, please contact me at drazil91@hotmail.com I originally met Shane at a "No Jacket Required" (NJR) jam session hosted by the band "Bonedaddy" at Lowe's House of Bourbon in St. Andrews. I was really interested in interviewing him after I heard a couple of his original songs and played with him as well.  He also has a webseries known as "Artist One" that is worth checking out. What got you started in music? At a very early age my parents took me to a cookout. There was a blues band performing and I knew right there, that music was what I wanted to pursue.    Is there anyone in your family that is musical, who are they and what do they play?       Yes, my youngest brother Steven. He plays a variety of instruments. His main is guitar, piano, ...

I will remember you, your silhouette will charge the view, of distance.......atmosphere.....-Yes I am fairly active on social media and I have joined many groups on facebook.  One of these is called "Music of the Florida Panhandle" which seemed like a nice bunch of folks in the local music scene.  It was apparently started as a forum for drummers, but administrator duties had been handed to a bass player named Ken.  He explained that he had been fairly busy lately organizing "Battle of the Bands" type events and had recently become ill.  He asked in the forum if anyone would be interested in being made an admin of the group.  Myself and another bass player named Tom both volunteered.  Why must it ALWAYS be the bass players?  I received friend requests from both of them and accepted. I had been adding mutual and local musician friends for a while on social media, and discovered many great people.  I am guilty of  adding everyon...

This is the first installment in the Artist Spotlight Series.   I plan on doing more of these, if you would like to be featured, or would like to suggest an Artist, please contact me at drazil91@hotmail.com I have wanted to interview Melissa, the "Blue Mama" of the Band as a "sit-down" type discussion for quite a while, but our schedules would not permit it.  She was kind enough to provide some great insight in her answers to my questionnaire.  I highly recommend checking out her live show. ---disclaimer:  I am occasionally paid a performance fee by this Artist Photo courtesy Ken Shaffer What got you started in music? I come from a musical family, both mother and father. My maternal grandmother played accordion, violin, mandolin, guitar, and sang. My mother played piano and sang. My paternal grandmother plays piano. My father plays trombone, trumpet, piano, and sings. When I was 4, I started with accordion lessons. I was the y...

Well, I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer.  The future's uncertain and the end is always near.- The Doors My phone rang with a call from a musician named Melissa, aka Blue Mama.  I had first met her at Whiskey's.  I had pulled into the parking lot and I could hear her from outside blowing the roof off with her voice.  She plays guitar , but her voice was the first thing I noticed. I invited her to the NJR jam down the street at the Beach House as I was leaving, and before she arrived, I busied myself telling The Dude how great she was and he told me "Slow down, relax. I will give her a listen."  I felt like a talent agent.  I explained that she would be a great fit with the usual gang of musicians.  There are many musicians that show up to the jams, but she was one that could lead a band.  The Dude greeted  her and invited her onstage.  After about 2 songs, I tipped my invisible hat to HIM. S...

You know the rules  and so do I  A full commitment's what I'm thinking of-Rick Astley I have received a few rather unexpected emails this week.  I am considering changing careers after reading these offers. from:   JannWenner@rollingstonemagazine.com Date:  Monday 26 March 2018  9.26am To:  Matt Coleman Subject:  Publishing Request Dear Matt, I am the editor of Rolling Stone Magazine and I have become an avid reader of your blog.  Your writing style is reminiscent of the early days of our publication.  I would like to meet with you regarding "franchising" your concept and perhaps having you freelance for us as well. I will have the appropriate contracts drawn up while you are flying to NY with the attached first class ticket. Regards,  Jann from:   casting@jeopardy.com Date:  Tuesday 27 March 2018  9.26am To:  Matt Coleman Subject:  Contestant Search Dear Matt, ...

If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?- Lynyrd Skynyrd After playing a few times at Whiskey's Saloon, I am invited down the road to a place not so distinctively called "The Beach House".  The Dude, Vato and D.J. have by now christened the jam sessions "No Jacket Required" aka NJR.  I figure this refers to the fact that many talented musicans show up, are just handed equipment and jam. I had seen this phenomenon in New Orleans with a friend and fellow musician named Tony.  I ask the same thing that everyone asks me when I invite them to this place.  "WHERE is it?"  It turns out to be the westernmost liquor license in the county.  I cast a wary eye at the cloud accumulation in the sky and attempt a run at it on my motorcycle. I arrive and find motorcycle parking, thankfully, because the other option is in a sand dune.  My street tires  and thin kickstand would not handle that.  There is a bonfire going, as usual ...

I hear the train acoming, it's rolling round the bend.-Johnny Cash All my life I was told that one day, I would understand Bob Dylan.  I STILL don't.  I did come to understand Johnny Cash, though. He was a regular guy with regular guy problems.  I first listened to "Ring of Fire" as performed by Wall of Voodoo and became intrigued.  Johnny even had Trent Reznor write a song for him called "Hurt".  I highly recommend both, however, I digress, this post is about the stripped bare original core of Cash's music.  I would come to know Johnny Cash well. I got word that another open jam had been going on at a place called "Whiskey's".  I had been invited more than once by Joe, a drummer that has shopped where I work for years.  "Bring your bass, and quit making excuses!" He messaged me.  "These guys will like ya, I hate ya, but that's besides da point." He tells me with his usual Philly attitude. Fair...