Page 35 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2023 Digital Edition

got paid well when you were working, and half pay when you
weren’t. B.B. King was very self-disciplined. The whole band
was jealous because he would always do things my way. One
night the piano monitor was much too loud. Turns out, the sound
man said the guitar and trumpet players told him to. That was
the only time I ever heard B.B. King cuss. He said, “If any of you
aren’t happy, I’ll give you bus fare home. I don’t wanna hear
this shit no more.” Everybody in that band was jealous (of each
other). I took it as long as I could, then I told B.B., the guys were
just too jealous.
My greatest influences were Meade Lux Lewis and Ray
Charles, says Mr. Blue. I would watch [Charles]. He would be
the headliner, and Ike and Tina Turner, Sam and Dave, and Otis
Redding would be on the bill. And I would watch him and Otis.
Mr. Blue on connecting with audiences: You know what,
I read the peoples’ minds. I just watch. I can look at them and
tell. I never have no song list, never had one, I just look at the
people. I never have been nervous.
I believe my [musical ability] is something I was born with
because I [am] mostly self-taught. I heard “Honky Tonk Train” and
I picked that out on the piano. Then I heard and learned Albert
Ammons’ “Swanee River Boogie.” He found his calling there.
Since then, I have had some mighty good times! I have no regrets.
Today, if I had my choice, I’d play by myself. Because a
lot of musicians today can’t play. He does enjoy playing with
some musicians. You know Jimmy Carpenter is damn good!
He don’t know how good he is. [Editor’s Note: Carpenter is
a multi-award-winning sax man, singer and composer. He’s
musical director for the Big Blues Bender and president of the
Las Vegas Blues Society.]
I don’t have a favorite song, Mr. Blue says. One of my
favorites, the first blues song that I ever played, is “Tennessee I showed him. He had a good ear. I said, “I’m going to do it real
Waltz.” Another favorite is Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date.” slow. You watch.” Do you know who that was? Jerry Lee Lewis.
Mr. Blue’s style has evolved. Who made me change was Jerry was a white kid, but he had a Black heart. Everything he
Ray Charles. Ray Charles [said] “Play whatever you feel.” I did had a blues touch.
learned that from Art Tatum too. They both said, “I don’t give Mr. Blue’s main hobby? Practicing. You can’t beat practicing.
a damn what it is, ‘cause nobody knows everything in music.” Nobody knows everything in music. I practice every day. When
Eden Brent told me, “When you play, open your legs and point he wants to get away from his piano, Mr. Blue likes to work in
down.” (laughs) When I play “Sell My Monkey” I always think his backyard. I like neat; inside too.
of Eden. (more laughter) Mr. Blue’s favorite meal? Pinto beans, baked chicken, salad
Music is the only thing on this earth that’s not racist, says Mr. or a side dish. He says, I learned from my dog Eden what to eat.
Blue. I describe my music by the audience. Every time I play, I I try to stay away from pork. Mr. Blue’s favorite guilty pleasure?
play to the audience. Whatever they want to hear. Sometimes I love all milkshakes, and I bake my own sweet potato pie.
they shout out “Proud Mary,” and I say which version, Creedence I went to the doctor. He said, “Man, your blood pressure is
Clearwater Revival or Ike and Tina? good.” He only takes one blood pressure pill a day. I feel real
According to Mr. Blue, the best part of being a musician good. Now nothing bothers me. Sometimes at the VA (Mr. Blue
is: you can sleep late and be your own boss. You don’t have to served during the Korean war), they ask me to take a pill (he
worry; you count your own money. My first wife didn’t want me specifically mentions Viagra) and I tell them no, that could be
to play, but now I’ve been all over the world. I don’t know any expensive! If that thing is asleep, let it sleep, it knows when to
worst part. (laughs) All of it is good. wake up. (laughter) He rides a stationary bike for exercise.
Mr. Blue’s advice for musicians? Be honest and play Every day at least for a few minutes, he says.
whatever you feel; and learn to play in all keys. When I learn I only tried cocaine once, Mr. Blue says about drugs. I
something, I play it in all keys until it sounds right. went to the hospital because [he couldn’t perform sexually].
You know, says Mr. Blue about mentoring others, here’s That was it. I decided, I ain’t gonna mess with no drugs. I don’t
a funny story. There was this white guy. He was trying to play drink and I don’t smoke. If I drink two cans of beer, I’m damn-
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” I said, “You sing it, I’ll play it.” near drunk.

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