May 27, 2006

• MEMPHIS

  Several entries back, I said that I was going to Memphis for the Ponderosa Stomp, a celebration of rockabilly and early rock’n'roll normally held in New Orleans, but held this year in Memphis for the benefit of residents of New Orleans, particularly musicians from the Big Easy, I expect, who are having a tough go of it. After all, they are entertainers, and New Orleans residents and visitors are still trying to get to the point of enjoying and providing entertainment. Hats off to Winfield Scott “ Scotty” Moore for his part in making the festival possible

  
  

   I drove from Pennsylvania to Memphis, about 955 miles or so, starting Saturday, May 6, 2006 and getting there Sunday, May 7, at about 2:30 in the afternoon. It was about a 15-hour drive, with an overnight stay in Harriman. Beautiful weather; beautiful state. It is easy to fall in love with Tennessee. The highways are very good and the people are great. Even the gasoline is less expensive, the food is very reasonable and often comes with extras. The Shoney’s restaurant on Sycamore View Road saw a lot of me.

  
  

  I did take some photos, and I am not sure how to group them, so I will post them and do the best I can.

  
  

  First, Beale Street, a happenin’ location that was having its own blues celebration at the same time as the Stomp about three blocks away.

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  Second, the outside of a restaurant owned by B.B. Somebody. From the level of sound emanating from there, the thrill is definitely NOT gone!

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  Next, some performance photos. I will never be a professional photographer, because I can never get close enough to my subject. I am always afraid of distracting someone or blocking someone’s view of the performance. Real photographers, it seems, are never afraid of sticking their camera lenses up somebody’s nostril, no matter whose view they block and for how long. Consequently, they get some great photos. Sorry, that’s not me. I will continue to get lousy, dark distant photos because I am not going to be intrusive. More power to those who can do it. I am simply not one of them.

  
  

  I changed my mind. I am just going to post some photos, some performance, some not.

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers, with Deke Dickerson sitting in on guitar ( in red). Sonny is 74! Can he rock! Holy cow! He blew the lid off the place. Deke is great on guitar, too. These are two very talented and classy gentlemen.

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  The great D.J. Fontana, Elvis’s drummer, holding down the beat for Sonny Burgess. It was great to hear two SUN recording stars playing together.

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  What a thrill THIS was. I got to meet and chat with the great Winfield Scott ” Scotty” Moore, one of the giants of rock music. Scotty was Elvis’s original guitar player, and is responsible for all those great guitar leads on the earlier Elvis records. When you hear Keith Richards say that he wanted to be Scotty Moore, THIS is the guy he is talking about. Sensing that I would understand, Scotty said to me, “You know, sometimes this is still fun.” That was great, coming from Scotty, who was not well-treated by the Elvis Presley organization, and has had many health problems in recent years. But Scotty has continued as a generous humanitarian, also being involved in New Orleans disaster relief. Thanks Scotty, for allowing me the pleasure of spending a few minutes with you.

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  If I had to pick one reason out of all the others to drive to Memphis, it would be to have met this man. James Burton, from Shreveport, LA, is the guy who did such brilliant guitar work on Ricky Nelson’s hit records, who was a member of the Shindogs on the TV show “Shindig,” and who, from 1969 to 1977, was the leader of Elvis’s stage band in Las Vegas. I heard him play, I met him, and I am here to tell you that this is one of the nicest, most humble persons I have ever met. He is a true class act and what a guitarist! James could tell this was a very special moment for me, and he was most gracious. Many thanks, James! Check out his page on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame website, sponsored by…uh…ME!

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  This is my third guitar hero. Although not as well-known as Scotty and James, Eddie Angel is a major force in the field of rockabilly and surf guitar. Eddie plays and records with Los Straitjackets, the Neanderthals, the Planet Rockers, and several other groups and artists, lending his unique guitar artistry to their music. I have known Eddie for a number of years and it is a privilege to know him. When I told him I was putting his photo in with Scotty and James, he said, ” You’re putting me in some heavy company, man!” He always calls me “Man,” which is technically true. It is also true that Scotty and James are heavy company, but Eddie deserves the recognition also. He is generally regarded as one of the best in the business, and that’s good enough for me! Eddie wasn’t there to perform. He was just hanging out and networking with other musicians. He is one of the guys whom I wish I could play like. Okay, why am I holding a cane? I was at that point in my second glorious week of gout, so I was smiling through my pain!

  
  

  Although each of the guys has done a lot of recording, I decided to spotlight Eddie’s album, which I have. He does a great job on “Buzz-Buzz-a-Diddle-It.”

  
  

   

  • 5:14 pm
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