Robert Cray is releasing his first studio album in five years This Time on 8-11-09, pre-orders taken by this Friday will be autographed by Robert.

Check out Bob's Myspace site for more info http://www.myspace.com/robertcray.

_________________
Tony Houston

I must confess this is my first time hearing this man and WOW. Thanks for bringing this artist to my attention!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Really? You've never heard of Robert Cray? Wow, I'm amazed, check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmxu3ACX0xo&feature=PlayList&p=624D763E0FE3B0E2&index=0.

I know Bob and will post a story if you want to hear it.

_________________
Tony Houston

Well...I've heard of the man but never heard his music. I didn't know I'd like the blues this much! Thanks for the video link and fire away with that story!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Wow, I'm not being snide, but how can you play rock (if you do) and not like blues? Most people that say they don't play blues, may not like a particular style of blues. Playing blues will make you a better rock player, and jazz player as well.

Yes, I said jazz, John Coltrane remarked in an interview that the all the great jazz players had played blues. Playing blues teaches one how to improvise.

_________________
Tony Houston

In the last year I've started exploring more music...I used to be just alt. rock. Same with guitar playing...I just started in the Spring so I can't play a lot yet. I just never explored the blues much before...it's not that I didn't like the genre...just never exposed to it much I guess. I was just trying to show my excitement...it may not have been the best way to say it

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Thanks for introducing me to Mr. Cray's music...I'd still like to hear your story sometime.

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Oh, ok, great, I didn't realize you were young, and had just started playing guitar.

I was 22yrs old when I started playing guitar, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Santana were, and still, my guitar heroes. It was from reading the liner notes on Layla, and The Allman Brothers 'Live at the Fillmore East' that I learned about Jimmy Reed, Elmore James and T-Bone Walker.

I had already experienced Freddie King, The James Gang, Grand Funk Railroad, The Funkadelics and other groups live, but wasn't playing guitar than.

I met Robert Cray on his first national tour, they were playing small venues like the Canal Street Tavern http://www.canalstreettavern.com/index.php in my home town of Dayton, OH.

I think it was a wed night, but I remember that there was only about 10 people in the club. Cray sat with me all night drinking beers. The tour had his band coming thru the Mid-West to the East Coast, and back the same way. He was booked to play at Canal Street in 12wks. He told me to bring my guitar & amp, and that he would let me sit-in for a couple of songs.

About two weeks before he came back, I had a bike accident where I broke my elbow and two fingers. But by this time, Albert King had recorded Cray's 'Phonebooth', and the club was packed. There was a table reserved for the band and Cray had me sit with him.

Even now when he has a show, and I attend, he has backstage passes for my wife & I.

_________________
Tony Houston

Yeah I am just a 23-year old starting my guitar journey. I grew up with Clapton's music playing...and in the last few months Santana and Hendrix albums have been purchased and enjoyed a lot. Cray will be added to my collection soon! It's awesome how you got to hang out and became friends with a great musician. Did you get to sit-in with him on songs after the injuries from the accident healed? That would've been sweet!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Hey, that's the age I started, I should be the poster boy for late guitar bloomer . And you're right it is a journey, playing guitar has taken me to places, and had experiences that I never expected. I love playing guitar



No, it was shorty after that last gig that Cray went to Chicago and recorded the great blues album 'Showdown' http://tinyurl.com/kslz6o with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland.

The Robert Cray Band went to playing larger venuses and over-seas. Cray also played, and recorded with with Eric Clapton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBilW9cPfDA



No, I never had the chance to play with Cray, but I have played Hubert Sumlin

Lonnie Brooks

Lil Ed

and the late great Lefty Dizz

just to name a few of my friends .

_________________
Tony Houston

That's cool! I've never gotten to meet real musicians...much less play with one. Awesome!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

I was in the same boat as Fenderseeker09 just a few months ago. I just listened to rock and metal, and I thought I didn't like blues. SRV snapped me out of it and got me listening to a ton of blues, and even jazz. I'm still really excited about it.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

I'm listening to Mr. Cray right now actually. Smooth voice, kickin guitar...what more can ask for in music to chill out to. Really good stuff!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Man, don't sell yourself short. If you play music, you're a real musician. Some are just better and luckier than others and catch a break.

Bluesmen are the most approachable musicians on earth. I've met many, David "Honeyboy Edwards, Carl Weathersby, Charlie Musselwhite, Lonnie and Ronnie Brooks, Lon John Hunter, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter. Just great people who love to tell you all kinds of stories.

Robert Cray is an amazing artist. He has tone to die for great lyrics, just a great human being.

Did you read my SRV post? I have a pick he dropped at a live show .

If there is one Robert Cray CD or tunes to download, it's "Live from Across the Pond" http://www.amazon.com/Live-Across-Pond- ... 424&sr=8-9

It's been out for almost three years, and I still listen to it on a regular basis, like I did yesterday.

_________________
Tony Houston