backup american blues news: NEW YORK BLUES: The Beat Goes On- Guitar Shorty

What's up my fellow blues lovers! This week I am submitting photos of Guitar Shorty. A little info about GS: 2007 Blues Music Award Winner - Contemporary Blues Album for "We the People." Born in Houston, Texas he was influenced early on by the sounds of B.B. King, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker and Earl Hooker. He got the name Guitar Shorty from a club owner who noticed he was younger and shorter then the rest of his band members. None other than
Ray Charles hired GS as a member of his touring band. During the late 50s and 60s GS worked with Sam Cooke, Otis Rush, Johnny Copeland, T-Bone Walker, Little Milton, B.B. King and Lowell Fulson. GS ended up marrying Marsha Hendrix, who was Jimi's stepsister and he became
an influence on the young Jimi. It is said Jimi used to go AWOL from his Army bas to catch Shorty's performances and cop a few guitar licks.

I caught Shorty's first set at Terra Blues and he was quite the crowd pleaser. As you can see from the photos he ventured out into the crowd, playing guitar with his teeth, behind his back and putting on a show for the fired up crowd. Cleary this is a guy who's been around the block a few times and knows how to put on a show. Naturally the band was tight and supported Shorty beautifully. He's another one of those guys that I just caught for the first time and I had a great time.

Again I'd like to thank Richard Lee, James Dalton and the folks at Terra Blues for providing me with access and more importantly for running the only club in New York dedicated to the Blues and keeping the Blues spirit alive and kickin'.
You want to get down with some blues? Terra Blues is the place to do it, simple as that.
And of course a big THANK YOU to Guitar Shorty and all the other artists who have been gracious enough to let me photograph them in action.

Until the next go-round, keep supporting the Blues. These cats are working hard to lay it down for you.

Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
my websites: http://www.electriceyes.us/
http://www.electriceyesphotography.blogspot.com/