Blues
Paul Nelson was playing guitar behind his friend and musical hero, Johnny Winter, when a friendship developed. The two became musical partners, wrote songs and gigged together over the years. When Johnny had difficulty getting sober, it was Paul who stepped up to help his friend during a...
Ed Gerhard knew that there was something special about playing the guitar when he heard Andrés Segovia play on TV when he was 10 years old. He took a few lessons from a music store but learned most of his beginning skills from one of his neighbors. Ed has a unique playing style - combining the...
Steve Madaio played trumpet on most of Stevie Wonders recordings during the innovative and creative period between 1971 and 1976. Stevie was experimenting with electric keyboards and synthesizers, which Steve witnessed and took part in, including working on the classic album Songs in the Key of...
Kal David helped bring the Firebird to the blues! The famed electric guitar was not widely used for the blues until Kal began playing it in bands in and around Chicago. He was a founding member of the band The Exceptions in 1962 and the Illinois Speed Press in 1965. He later teamed with his...
Wallace Coleman played blues harmonica with the legendary Robert Lockwood Jr. as well as forming his own groups during his long career. His creative style can be heard on live and studio recordings with Robert Lockwood and on his own albums, all of which include at least a few songs he wrote. For...
Catfish Keith was proud to take part in the 40th anniversary of Santa Cruz Guitar Company in the fall of 2016. He not only performed on his favorite SCGC model on stage at the Rio Theater but also took the time to talk about his early passion for music and his introduction to the Santa Cruz Guitar...
Martin Shore began playing drums at the age of six and always found great comfort in music. When the idea of a documentary about Memphis music came up, Martin ran with the idea, which has become the award winning film Take Me To The River. The film was shown at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of...
Nick Nixon and Andy Talamantez formed The Andy-T-Nick Nixon Band, which was based in Nashville. Nick teamed up with guitarist Andy to return to music, which he had left for many years. He was a part of the Jefferson Street blues scene in the 1960’s although his background was in Opera and Classical...
Andy Talamantez fronts The Andy T-Nick Nixon Band out of Nashville. Andy’s guitar playing style is heavily influenced by T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, but at the same time, is something totally new and creative. He worked in the aerospace industry for twenty-three years before quitting his day job...
Keb’ Mo’ is the Grammy-winning blues guitarist and songwriter who got his big break in the music business thanks to Taj Mahal (interview class of 2016). He has performed as Keb’Mo’ ever since his original drummer, Quentin Dennard, stopped calling him Kevin Moore. During his NAMM Oral History...