CHICAGO BLUES: Memphis Dallas and Smilin Bobby Video Interview by Terry "Gatorman" Lape
Last Thursday Night I spent in Memphis with my fellow blogger Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms. He is the keyboard and Mississippi saxophone player for the "Reba Russell band." Nocturnal Bird of Prey and I had a BBQ dinner like none other. Man, oh, man it was finger licking good. There are a lot of BBQ joints in Memphis and you really have to know a local to find the right joint. Nighthawk had told me previously about the best BBQ joint, but he did not pack his pistol so we went to another more touristy spot. After the BBQ we went to a local place called Neil's. Neil's is a very nice corner type bar. It is complete with pool tables, back entrances and bathrooms with no names on them. (Sorry Susy). The thing I liked the most was that the Memphis Blues Society was having their Thursday Night Jam session. Robert and I played a couple of songs and had a real good time. Nighthawk introduced me to all the pickers. They all were exceptional blues players. In 1977 our illustrious congress voted Memphis the home of the blues.
The reason that I stopped in Memphis is because I was on my way to Dallas to the world's largest guitar show. Memphis is just about half-way between Chicago and Dallas. One day's drive to Memphis and another to Dallas. I might add my 1995 Saturn logged 37 miles to the gallon. Not bad folks. My visit to Dallas was two fold. My daughter is studying musical theater at a Dallas Conservatory and of course the guitar show. Dallas is nice, but unfortunately I was too busy to seek out any blues clubs. I did however go to a musical in Fort Worth. Had a nice time at the theater, but it sure wasn't the blues. Because of this past week on the road I am posting the following interview with My Blues Mentor Smiling Bobby. This video was produced a number of years ago and was shot by my friend Jim Quattrocki
Pleased to be part of this great blues adventure, some of the great blues artists she has met with are: Shannon Curfman, Delta Highway, Roger Earl, Jace Everett, Sue Foley, Sonny Landreth, Moreland & Arbuckle, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Bobby Rush, Gina Sicilia, The women of Saffire, G.E. Smith, Chris Smither, Derek Trucks, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds!
Monica's passion for music started with songwriting. She has been named as a suggested artist in the VH1 Song of the Year Contest. Her song, The Whiskey's All Gone, placed as number one on the billboard country blues charts on Soundclick.com. Her proudest accomplishment thus far, has been an invitation to perform at a weekday show at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville!
Having honed her skills with intensive one-on-one mentoring sessions with songwriting gurus John Braheny, Rick Beresford, and Debi Cochran, Monica continues to develop her songwriting craft.
Monica has studied voice with blues great, Gaye Adegbalola. Kirstie Manna has also mentored Monica on the many aspects of her stage performance as a blues artist. Monica is excited to share her words and music with you!
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