I understand that this all personal opinion, but I've played with with many, many blues legends and they respect me as a bluesman:



Me & Hubert Sumlin


Me & John Primer



Me & Steve Cropper ( I have his personal cell number)



Me & Lil Ed, after a show we did together.



Me, James Burton and my friend Travis, Mr Burton is a personal friend of mine

Also Jeff Cook .

_________________
Tony Houston

'sounded like the blues to me, Tony. :thumbsup:

I think some people who are not devoted to the blues use there playing time to throw up as many notes and flash as possible over a blues progression. You actually played the blues.

(what were you thinking?)

I too loved your volume swells at the start and finish of your performance. Most people associate that technique with a tele. You made it sound real cool. Thanks.

It'd be helpful to compare your playing to the other contestants... but since we weren't there we can only comment on the vid you posted.

I'm gonna be honest and please, this is by no means me attacking you, just want to tell you what I thought of the performance, I would want the same from anyone else.

It's possible that you picked the wrong song, it was quite boring... the Thrill is Gone is a BB song, I've heard so many bands try to do it, it never works. BB should be the only one that does it. And without any vocals it's even more boring.

Now, your playing... you have some nice licks, but your timing is way off IMO. Blues is all about feel and timing, hit one note at the right time and you won't have to say anything else. I didn't get that from the vid, it was kinda painful to sit there and listen to, sorry you just seemed like you were playing whatever and being "lazy". There was no story to follow my friend. But your playing is fine, you just need to put some soul into it!

Maybe I should consider signing up for this thing and see what happens... is it too late?

Hi Tony, a couple of questions...was that a canned backing track and did you pick it? I did notice that you didn't really get into it....like you were caught between playing and "performing"..you know the old trap happens to all of us...thinking about playing instead of just goin for it. Granted that seemed like a pretty sterile environment with nobody to play off of taking that into consideration you did hit nicely in a few spots...you obviously have more mojo than what showed up for that particular situation. As far as not making the cut "ain't no thing"

_________________
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

Yeah, it's too late http://gc.guitarcenter.com/kingoftheblues/.



Yeah, it's track #14 'A Minor Affair' from the KOTB song list http://gc.guitarcenter.com/kingoftheblues/tracks/. I figured that most players would chose one of the rock-blues tracks, and they did, so I went slower.

_________________
Tony Houston

Nothing wrong with being nice and respectful of a man willing to show his stuff for a forum to pick apart. Post some of your renditions using the same backtracks. Tony was just posting for us to listen to. I did not get the idea he was asking for constructive criticism.

Last years winner. (Nice G&L Comanche)Great mix of major and minor pent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdSjzGKjmtA

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Very cool Tony! Kudos for entering and playing great! You have a groovy style Bro and if I'm ever playing in your area I'd love to jam if you have the time. Super Stratocaster with excellent tone. Were you playing through a Fender Twin?

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Oh, I expected that and really didn't care. In the video there is a guy standing to the right. He came over to me after the winner was announced and told me that he plays bluegrass, but is a blues player in his heart, and that he thought that he loved my playing, and that I put on a show. Plus my granddaughter thought I was awesome



Yes, they had four amps, a Marshall half-stack, two Engnaters and a Fender Twin. I have a slightly modded '63 Vibroverb RI at home, I use a BOSS ME-20 http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=894&ParentId=46 with at gigs, so I used the ME-20 (with only a bit of gain) with the Twin.

_________________
Tony Houston

+1

I've heard many of Tony's tunes and have jammed with him online and
have a lot of respect for his playing...along with what he's been through
the past few years, that many of you don't know about.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Tony, I wan't to say something, that I should have said before... I think you are a good player, I just didn't like that particular solo... For whatever reason... I don't know.. I was referring to this particluar solo and, yes, its all about opinion....

As far as giving my opinion, I'll never do it again unless its asked for... That goes for positive feedback as well.. Now that I know my musical performance opinion is unwanted in this forum

My biggest pet peve about musical performance is me not getting honest feedback... I absolutely love when someone can pick apart my playing and give me tips so I can improve... But I guess I must be an exception to the rule...

_________________
In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

Really, this is not big deal. I played to a canned track, that didn't vary, for the entire 3min.

I played 'me' and was happy, the other people that were there were happy, and many have emailed me, were happy, but apparently you, and two of the three judges thought the same....but when the runner-up was announced, the player that won, thought I was the winner and was amazed when his name was called.

I thought that he & I would advance...

_________________
Tony Houston

I liked it for what it was. Good job Tony. I won,t go do it, Ive thought about it but I think its rigged.

that sounds interesting,forgive my ignorance but how is that possible in "real" time and if it is maybe we can set it up for a forum jam. I would definetly be into that. Would love to trade licks with Tony and maybe provide him with a backup that would be a bit more inspiring. By the way Tony I managed a music store for a couple of years in the mid-seventies and a few of the major manufacturers held "contests" instore, all I can say is there was a lot of nudge nudge wink wink going on with some of them. So like I said not making the cut "ain't no thing"

_________________
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

The contest that our guitar player is a judge at ( and I've known him since 1967) no way could be rigged. Our guy is just too politically correct middle of the road nice guy save the animals wash his guitar cords change strings every gig eat every two hours skinny. This guy never makes waves although has definate opinions. He's the perfect judge. He plays the Devils advocate always giving both sides of the story. He's an Accountant!!! His son is a Marine Captain!! This dude should run for office. He asks my opinion about things and weighs his thoughts and chooses what to do his own way. You couldn't bribe this guy with a handgun. We should all call him "Mr.Fairness Man" .