In another life I was a musician - in fact, guitar money played a big part in putting me through my undergrad degree years at Michigan State University. Well, here we are almost 40 years later and an album that I co-produced and played guitar, bass and B3 organ on has been selected as one of UREVIEW's "Best Re-Issues of 2009". I'm thrilled that our work got some national recognition - the trouble is we had to wait almost 40 years to get it! Forget the album, just let me be 21 years old again! All kidding aside - congrats to me (of course) and my talented pals who worked on the album "Papa Never Let Me Sing The Blues." John Drendall, the centerpoint of the album and a brilliant singer/guitarist; Dick Dunham - fantasic drummer and singer (Dick and I go back to the mid-1960's at Swartz Creek High School where we played in bands together); my good friend Jim Spillane - another Creeker who did background vocal work on this album and was my partner in Bluejohn for many years; Nelson Wood - who did some great harmonica work and to this day plays any instrument you hand him wonderfully - and a host of other talented maniacs: "Elmo" aka Mike Skory on piano; Stiff-finger Eddie aka Tom Caruso on slide guitar; Vern "The Bopper" Albaugh on flute; and Ross Maxwell who kept our attitudes right when we needed some adjusting. I also must send out a great big cosmic "thank you" to our studio engineer and co-producer, the late Bryce "Jive" Roberson - a great guitarist and one of the most unique individuals I've ever met. May the Great Spirit bless you Uncle Dirty, and I know you're on the Other Side giving somebody a hard time about something as I type this... Photo credit on the album cover goes to Bill (Jesse) Arnet who taught me a lot about photography back in the day and was a fellow staff member at the MSU Instructional Television Center. Bill's now living in the Virgin Islands and running a very cool and affordable Virgin Island Wedding Service. John and Dick are still playing (along with bassist Sid Seymour) and recording under the name Damion and you can check out/purchase their latest CD release "Steamy Night in Texas" very soon on their website.
