John Lennon Birthday Tribute! Please SHARE the love!

Clearly, John Lennon was (and is) my most influential artist.  I spent my childhood mesmerized by him and my adulthood studying his artistry in song structure.  This recording is the result of deconstructing Dear Prudence with Walter Watson.   All of the tracks are performed solely by the two of us.  Walter did an amazing job on all of the vocal parts.  I handled all of the bass and guitar duties. Man....did we have a good time in the studio!   Thank you, John and Happy Birthday! 

Stevie Ray Vaughan Birthday Tribute! Listen NOW!

Steve and I met in the 5th grade at the talent show in the school auditorium of L.K.Hall Elementary School in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas.  In the audience, sitting on the first row, was Stevie Ray.  We didn't call him that back then...he was just Steve.  After I played, Steve came up to me and said "Hey, I saw you playing guitar and I play guitar, too." It was an innocent, simple moment that formed the friendship that was fueled by endless talk of guitars and Jimi Hendrix and the newest album at the record store.   It was really nice to have someone like-minded, as we were, in those early days of our childhood.  To this day, I still love talking about guitars and Hendrix.   Wow...what cool days those were. Happy Birthday, Steve! Miss you, brother.

Music Extra - Listen very carefully to the end of the song and you will hear how I voiced my guitar with my wah wah to say "Stevie Ray, Where have you gone?"

This video is just so cool because it shows how Steve was “one” with his guitar.  I love it!  His confidence and style developed from years of playing every night, wherever he could. Enjoy his showmanship! This is #TexasStyle!

Rocky and Jimmie at the Wildflower Music Festival talking about their Oak Cliff days.

Freddie King Birthday Tribute - Texas Cannonball

Texas Cannonball was written by Rocky Athas and Buddy Miles for the Bluesberries album, to honor the master, Freddie King.   The Bluesberries album with Buddy Miles and Double Trouble was recorded in 2002.   Happy Birthday, Freddie King!  

MUSIC MONDAY! Please SHARE!

AIN'T NO DOUBT

I don't understand it.
This ain't how I planned it.
What the hell happened to me?

How'd I let you get me?
Mistreat and upset me.
It ain't like you're something to see.

I feel a little weak
From the way that you treat me.
Feels like I'm walking the line sometimes.
.
And I can't get it straight
if you love me or you hate me.
I wish you'd make up your mind.

Ain't No Doubt about it
I can live without it.
 
Gonna take some time out.
See if I can find out
Where I'm gonna go from here.

Do I keep on trying?
Or am I just denying
The truth
When you're making it clear?

I feel a little used
And I feel confused and
Feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes

And it's hard for me to know
Just where I stand,
You're always blurring the lines.

Ain't No Doubt about it
I can live without it.

I've been trying to hold out.
Feeling like I sold out.
Why won't you listen to me?
You're headed for a fall
And you don't care at all,
And I can't make you see!
No, No, No, No

I don't understand it.
This ain't how I planned it.
What the hell happened to me?

How'd I let you get me?
Mistreat and upset me.
It ain't like you're something to see.

I feel a little weak
from the way that you treat me.
Feel like I'm walking the line sometimes

And I can't get it straight
If you love me or you hate me.
I wish you'd make up your mind.

Ain't No Doubt about it, 
I can live without it.

Now that I've thought about it,
I can live without it.

Before accepting the coveted role of guitarist for John Mayall's legendary Bluesbreakers, Rocky Athas had established a long, successful solo career.

Partnering repeatedly with Grammy Award-winning producer Jim Gaines, Rocky Athas has released a series of albums, including Miracle, Voodoo Moon, and Lightning Strikes Twice, and his band of Texas musicians has wowed audiences.

By the age of 23, the Oak Cliff, Texas native had been included in Buddy Magazine's now-legendary list of Top Ten Guitarists --one of the first and youngest to receive the honor. Over time, Rocky has shared that honor with the likes of Eric Johnson, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons (of ZZtop), and Johnny Winter.

In the late oughts, Rocky was made an offer he couldn't refuse: John Mayall, the iconic "Godfather of British Blues", had asked him to play lead guitar on his next album. Needless to say, Rocky was honored to be recognized for his skill and thrilled to join Mayall's legendary outfit, The Bluesbreakers. Former members included Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. Within weeks of the call from John Mayall, they were together in the studio working on Tough. The album was a smashing success, and Rocky's performance did not go unnoticed. Guitar Player Magazine wrote that Rocky was, "a veteran Texas gunslinger with a wicked tone and a thriving solo career of his own." 

Over the next few years, Rocky continued to record and tour with Mayall's The Bluesbreakers. Mayall's album A Special Life featured stellar guitar performances by Rocky, prompting Neil Spencer of Uncut Magazine to highly praise the new work, "... whose guitarist, Rocky Athas, recalls the young Eric Clapton."

In 2014, Rocky released Let My Guitar Do The Talking...With My Friends on Cherryburst Records.  The album is "all-instrumental, all-guitar, all the time" and samples several vintage guitars from Rocky's personal collection. It also features guest appearances by long-time friend and fellow Texan Smokin' Joe Kubek and an exclusive performance by John Mayall on keyboards,

In 2015, the ultimate, commemorative Rocky Athas series was released, highlighting Rocky's most crowd-pleasing solo work. Also included are never-before-released bonus tracks paying homage to artists who influenced him, like Eric Clapton and Leslie West. The release of The Essential Rocky Athas - Volume I & II is hailed globally by critics as "a delectable album tailor-made for the blues enthusiast" filled with "delicious howling guitar riffs".  

Don't miss this authentic Texas guitar legend and former Bluesbreaker!

Rocky's entire catalog including The Essential Rocky Athas series is available at www.rockyathas.com, Amazon, iTunes and worldwide wherever  you shop for good music!   

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