: B I O
the 00s : After much planning and prayer, we pull into Denver on a hot and sunny July 3, 2003. Within a week I'm involved in a myriad of church services and special events, and I always manage to be part of one band project or another. Here are some highlights: Freedom Toast, an original "country grunge" band drawing on divergent sources of inspiration, including Neil Young, Eagles, Allman Brothers, Jane's Addiction, Rush and King's X. We play a handful of gigs (some actually paying quite well), record a CD called Crumbs, and go our separate ways.
Fisher Queen & the Hooks, a blues band, places an ad for a guitarist; I quickly learn a CD's worth of originals, plus three times as many covers, and get on board. We're a four-piece with a female lead singer. Before ever-increasing drama tears us apart we have some good times, including headlining the 2006 Boats, Blues & BBQ festival in Pueblo.
The Hooks: In the wake of Fisher Queen's drowning, the bassist, drummer and I decide to go the power trio route. Instrumentally, we're ferocious, but the vocals just aren't up to the material, so we sink after a few months.
The Curly "No Shoes" Jr. Band: Fisher Queen's keyboardist finds a home with Curly while the Hooks are trying the power trio thing. When the Hooks throw in the towel, our drummer joins forces with Curly (huh?). A few months later, I get an e-mail saying that Curly's guitar player - and bass player - have left the band. Long story short, the Hooks are together again, backing a different singer.
CNSJ plays two disctinct roles: One as a lean, mean purveyor of power blues covers and originals, and, when she's in town, we're the band for Oklahoma-based Miss Blues, an authentic first lady of the blues, who knows just about everyone who's had anything to do with American blues for the last 60-odd years. Some highlights of our time together include a live radio spot, a live TV spot, and the opportunity to back Miss Blues at the 2008 Greeley Blues Fest. After adding a hot sax/flute/harp player and wrestling with the Denver blues scene, I call it quits.