Top Talents Head To the Beach

New York City, eat your heart out!

Not only is it sunny and warm here in the Carolinas, but Steve Bailey, Victor Wooten and Randall Freakin’ Bramblett are headed our way!

March 3 – Steve Bailey & Victor Wooten at CCU

Bass Player magazine said, “Steve Bailey is to the six-string fretless bass guitar what Columbus is to America.”

Internationally acclaimed bass wizards Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten will be at CCU’s Edwards Recital Hall on Thursday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

Do you know who these guys are?

Myrtle Beach’s own Steve Bailey practically invented the fretless bass. Well no, but he started playing it after he ran over a fretted bass with his car. Bass Player magazine said, “Steve Bailey is to the six-string fretless bass guitar what Columbus is to America.”

He’s played with a huge number of high dollar artists; including jazz greats, Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, David Benoit and more. He’s shared the stage and the recording studio with folks like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jethro Tull, Chris Duarte, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Kitaro, Carol Kaye, Billy Sheehan, and, of course, the other half of his double bill, Victor Wooten.

Five-time Grammy award winner Victor Wooten, no slouch himself, has earned the title of Bass Player of the Year award from Bass Player magazine three consecutive years and, according to his website, is the only player to have won the award more than once.

Victor is a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (banjo master Béla Fleck, Victor Wooten on bass, Jeff Coffin playing saxophone and Roy “Futureman” Wooten on his drumitar (drum/guitar developed by the innovative Grammy winner).

Together they conduct Bass At the Beach, a clinic/competition held in Myrtle Beach and attended by bass players from all over the world and the even more intensive Bass/Nature Camp held at Wooten Woods, just outside Nashville.

“It’s rare to be able to hear someone with creds like Victor here in Myrtle Beach,” says Bailey, who is an associate professor in music and artist in residence at CCU. “We found out early on that bass players getting together is an accident waiting to happen – it’s like trying to get two elephants to ballet dance together. But when we met each other in San Francisco in 1991, we had a chemistry that’s unheard of, and we’ve collaborated on CDs, clinics, DVDs and conferences since then.”

Five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten takes the approach that music is language.

The show at Coastal Carolina  will feature music from the duo’s signature Bass Extremes project as well as their recent solo efforts. This much anticipated performance will be the second stop on the bassists’ Pushing the Limits Volume 3 Southeast tour. About the event, Bailey says, “Surprise guest performers are always a possibility, and ticket holders should bring a question or two, as we are prone to interact directly with the audience in intimate venues like Edwards.”

For more info, check out their websites: Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey. Tickets are $20 general admission or $15 for CCU/HGTC students, staff, alumni, seniors and kids 17 and under. Pick up your tix ahead of time from the school’s Wheelwright Box Office (843-349-2502) or at the Recital Hall that evening.

March 5 – Randall Bramblett Band at South By Southeast Music Feast

Right on the heels of Bailey and Wooten comes the rockin’ Randall Bramblett Band.

Randall Bramblett first came to the attention of music industry insiders (and some astute FM listeners) back in 1973 for his amazing saxophone work on Laid Back, Greg Allman’s first solo album. Allman tapped him again for his follow-up The Gregg Allman Tour, recorded in part at Carnegie Hall, for which Bramblett was again recognized by musicians and serious music lovers. One-time Allman Brothers keyboard player and more recently a backline fixture for the Rolling Stones, Chuck Leavell says, “Randall is, in my opinion, one of the most gifted and talented southern singer-songwriter musicians of the past several decades.”

Bramblett is a true musician’s musician, proficient on saxophone, keyboard and guitar. He is a skilled and highly regarded songwriter. His tunes have been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Sea Level,Rick Nelson, B.J.Thomas,  Hot Tuna and so many others. He’s toured or recorded with Steve Winwood, Gov’t Mule, Widespread Panic, Levon Helm and Cowboy.

His vocals are emotionally-charged and honest, stripped down to bare the soul. Born and raised in Jessup, Ga., Bramblett crosses genres seamlessly, melding rock, blues, soul and even pop to deliver a collection of heartfelt southern songs.

Honestly, it’s hard to imagine this much talent all crammed into one guy, and don’t get me started on his band. Longtime collaborator Davis Causey on guitar is a standout; drummer is Gerry Hanson, who often functions as the band’s producer; there’s Mike Hines, also on guitar; and bass player Michael C. Steele. These guys are all talented, successful musicians in their own right. Together, the Randall Bramblett Band is a powerhouse.

Randall recently released Live At the Rialto Room, a DVD recorded on Feb. 13, 2010 at the Rialto Room in Athens, Ga. This was the CD release concert for The Meantime (Blue Ceiling Records 2010), a sparse, sophisticated recording by Randall Bramblett with Gerry Hanson on drums and Chris Enghauser on upright bass.

Randall Bramblett Band (L-R) Gerry Hansen, Mike Hines, Davis Causey, Randall Bramblett, Michael C. Steele. (Photo Jason Thrasher)

About the concert, Randall says, “It was a great night of music, and one of the most beautiful performances of my career.”

I haven’t gotten my copy yet, but I know it will be stellar. And, happily, Randall says he’ll have some at the South By Southeast show, so bring your wallet. You’re going to want at least one.

The South By Southeast Music Feast takes place, as usual, at the historic Train Depot in downtown Myrtle Beach (851 Broadway). Tickets are $25/$20 and include potluck, pizza, homemade desserts, wine, beer, soft drinks and coffee. Feasting starts at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7. Email your reservation to southxsoutheast@aol.com by 3 p.m. Friday and pay at the door. Come early, this show will be SRO. See you there!

Patman & Robin To the Rescue!

Deejay Pat Patterson has always been about the music and since he and wife Robin formed the Large Time Network and Patman & Robin Records, it’s even more evident.

This dynamic duo is on a mission to find and share the best in “beach, boogie, blues and beyond,” and while they’re at it, let’s save the world from musical sameness and low budget crimes of production.

They’re my super heroes!

The Large Time Network (www.largetime.net) was formed on Feb. 2, 2010, about a month after the sale of John FM, where Pat had programmed music and was the on-air deejay.

Pat and Robin saw it as an opportunity to become even more involved with the music they both love – beach, boogie. blues and beyond. During his show, Pat plays a lot of older, obscure R&B from the 50s along with today’s popular tunes charting on Beach Music 45. He gets requests from all over the world.

The show streams live on Warp Radio from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email your requests to pat@largetime.net.

“Robin and I both have such a love for the music,” Pat told me in a telephone interview last night. “We saw a label as another way to get more music out there. We wanted to give artists some other opportunities.

“Robin has a real good ear and a great feel for the music. She has a knack for ‘hearing’ a tune after about ten seconds.”

He went on to tell me that it was Robin who found “Till the Day After,” an old Huey Lewis tune and sent it to Mike Farber with the now defunct 120inc, who got it to N.C. beach artist Craig Woolard. Perfect song for Craig. It was Robin who found “I’m In Love With the Girl Next Door,” again another hit for Craig Woolard.

“We had a list of songs that we wanted to get for the new compilation CD Something ’bout the music! We had help from Bobby Simmons [former keyboard player with the Rickey Godfrey Band and now with Shag Attack] and Odell Mickens [with the Traamps and the New Jersey-based Wall Street]. Odell helped us out with Keisa Brown’s song.”

He’s referring to track no. 8, “Some Bridges Need Burning Down” by the Keisa Brown Band. Originally performed by Mississippi-born soul blues singer Keisa Brown, who passed away in 2006, this is a tribute by her band. Vocals are by drummer Jerome Tyus. “It’s different, “ says Pat, “They  left out some of the repeat vocals, put their own stamp on it. It’s a nice tribute to her.

“There’s a story to tell about ‘Muskrat Love,’ too. We’re good friends with Billy and Jack Jeffords. We were all out on the patio. They were playing some songs for us that they had written. All the brothers were there. All of a sudden they were playing ‘Muskrat Love.’ We told them: we want you to go into the studio and record it. Nothing fancy … exactly as they did it on the patio. Even with all of today’s technology, this was recorded raw – guitar, acoustic bass, bongos … no electronic enhancement … four vocals … one take. And Wayne, who was singing lead, passed away in Nov. 2010.”

Track no. 7 on the CD is “Can’t Get No Lovin’ Over the Telephone” by internationally known blues singer, Toni Spearman. “She’s originally from Greenwood,” Pat told me. “I get emails from all over the world – Zurich, India, China, Finland, from people who have seen her in concert the night before and she has talked about the CD and the Large Time Network. And what a band she has. During mastering, one of the guys wanted to know if this was her band or studio musicians … No, her band travels with her, and they are good!”

A side note here, mastering was done in Easley, S.C. at Buddy Strong’s Southeastern Sound Studios, known for their work with Marshall Tucker Band.

“I Can’t Wait Forever,” is written and performed by Grammy winner Debra Hutchinson, another Greenwood connection, by the way.

“I think “I’m Fixin’ To” by Rev. Bubba D Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets is a real sleeper,” says Pat.” It’s from his 2008 Let My Peoples Dance CD. Great song and production.”

The Joe Pope Tams weigh in with “Numbers,” chosen for its happy, upbeat sound.

Patman & Robin Records release 'Something 'bout the music!'

“Shaggin’ in the Moonlight” comes from the current generation of Swingin’ Medallions.

Track no. 12 is “Georgia Pine” by Chocolate Thunder from her 2008 Ear Candy CD, which was produced by bass player Franklin Wilkie,  who had the unenviable job of taking over after the death of Marshall Tucker Band’s Tommy Caldwell.

“Linda Rodney [aka Chocolate Thunder] has a tremendous voice. She has a great talent and needs to be put out so people can hear her.

So far the most successful single from Something ‘bout the music! is track no. 2, “My Knees Are Gettin’ Sore From Crawlin’ Back To Your Door.” Penned by Rickey Godfrey, lyrics are  – no surprise – humorous, clever and spot on. Shag Attack does a super job with the tune. Drummer Jimbo Durham is on vocals, and the song fits him to a T. The rest of this strong four-piece group is Bobby Simmons on keys, Ronnie Goldman playing guitar and Mike Hill on bass. Pat would like to see this group getting some more notice, and I have to agree. Rockin’ good job, guys.

Pat goes on to tell me that both the title track “Something ‘ bout the Music,” performed by Donnie Ray and the Earl Gaines tune, “You’ve Been Good To Me,” came via Memphis-based Ecko Records. “You’ve Been Good To Me” was released on a 2010 Earl Gaines recording titled Good To Me. He passed away New Year’s Eve in 2009.

“‘Something Bout the Music’ – the song, the feel, the music … that’s what we’re all about,” says Pat, and I can hear him smiling over the phone. He’s having a large time!

Track list for Something ‘bout the music! (Patman  Robin Records/ Sept. 2010) “Something Bout the Music,” Donnie Ray; “My Knees Are Gettin’ Sore From Crawling Back To Your Door, Shag Attack; “I Can’t Wait Forever,” Debra Hutchinson; “Kind Man,” Rickey Godfrey and Ronnie Godfrey; “I‘m Fixin’ To,” Rev. Bubba D Liverance; “Shaggin’ In the Moonlight,” The Swingin’ Medallions; “Can’t Get No Lovin’ Over the Telephone,” Toni Spearman; “Some Bridges Need Burning Down,” Keisa Brown Band; “You’ve Been Good To Me,” Earl Gaines; “Numbers,” Joe Pope Tams; “Muskrat Love,” Jeffords Brothers; “Georgia Pine,” Chocolate Thunder; “Justified,” Out of Towners; “Let’s Dance,” Don Dixon.

Something ‘bout the music! is available at the Large Time Network website (www.largetime.net), in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. at Judy’s House of Oldies on Main Street, and out of the back of Robin’s car.