Ammed Solomon, premeditated grooves

Sit back and let me tell you about a brotha, who not only pounds a beat, but lays down a groove as well...
If you're ever at the Empty Glass, and you hear me shout out...MED--------SOL-O-MON !! Then you know that I'm calling for one Charleston's greatest treasures, drummer Ammed Solomon.
Ahhhh, Ahmed one helluva great guy, a good friend, and a marvelous drummer, and agreeably one of Charleston's finest.
I met Med in 1992 when I arrived in the Capital city. He was playing with the band Plutohead, a powerhouse aggregation of players. Since that time I've seen him back up countless other musicians and singers. When he sits behind that drum kit you can rest assured that he is not only keeping time, but also laying down some serious funk and soul, or rock and roll.

Ammed is known by many endearing names: Med,I'm Eddie, Ed, Eddie, Premed, Dr.Drummie (that's one of my nicknames for him...), or a host of many others, but all of those names add up to one great guy.
I have had the distinct pleasure of having Med sit in with me over the years, and getting to feel first hand how he sets the pace, and shapes a song. He always drives me, and that is a good thing.

If you've visited Mountain Stage you know that Ammed as their resident drummer is one seventh of the reasons why that show is such a phenom, and a great success.

For me Ammed is more than just a drummer, he is also more than a dear friend, he is a brother of note.
Anyone this good should be arrested: in his case he should be arrested for his role in premeditated grooves, Ammed's funk can kill ya.
If you ever are in the Charleston area and are in need of being uplifted be sure to follow the sound of the groove, I'm certain that it will lead you right to his door.

Catch Ammed Solomon in any number of these great musical situations: Mountain Stage (check you local listings, or click the link above), The Voodoo Cats, the Soul Doctors, or last but not least Julie Adams and the Rhino Boys. You'll be glad you did.



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Julie Adams, walking the groove line.

A line from Julie's song "I Don't Mind Walking," says that "I'm glad to do what I have to, just to bring you back..." Well let me tell you, if you listen to this Sister sing, believe me, you won't be going anywhere, but to the dance floor, or to a seat to listen to a true Charleston gem.
Sit back, relax, and let me tell you about this remarkable singer.
I met Julie in 1993, when I first arrived in town and started making my way in the music scene. The scene here was of course Mountain Stage, and Ms. Julie Adams is of course the first lady of Mountain Stage, and was one half of the Fabulous Twister Sister (which also featured Violinist/Fiddler Deni Bonet...).
Jules just has one of those voices that you can't take your ears away from. Back in the day, they used to call a voice like hers, dreamy. For an instrumentalist like me (most of the time...), her sound makes me want to grab my saxophone and play it as if it were the woman I loved.
Julie is also one of the funniest people I know, and there have been times when I've played music with her that I can't look at her because when she gets to joking around, I just lose it .
On the other hand, when she starts crooning a ballad like Ron Sowell's "Wires and Wood," it just lilts me. I picture myself sitting out in an open field and watching the breeze blow the grass around me.
Julie is one of those singers who can fool you, almost; because when you see her out in the street, you would tend not to see her as a person involved in music. I don't mean that in a negative way, it's just that she looks very unassuming for a singer, but soon as she opens her mouth, it removes any doubt that this lady throws down with the best of them.
Julie Adams is always walking the groove line, and if you check her out you won't mind walking with her, and you'll be glad you did.
If you're in the Charleston area, listen for the sound of a vocal groove, then follow it, and pray that it leads you to the pot of gold called Julie Adams.Your ears, and your feet will thank you.
Catch Ms Julie Adams on Mountain Stage, and also in her other guises as lead vocalist of the Blues du Jour, or her small ensemble known as Julie and the Rhino Boys (which feature her Mountain Stage brothers, Ahmed Solomon, on drums, and Steve Hill on bass).
Click on the link here for info about Mountain Stage

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The King's Court (T J King)

I'm gonna say this and I know that I'll catch absolute hell from someone; but please, before you bless me out, read on...
T J King is one of the funkiest White guys on the planet !!!

Now I know that many of you are going to wonder why I happened to choose this young man for that position, and what makes me an expert ?
Here's the thing, even when I see TJ, my body just starts moving. To hear him talk is musical, to watch him play, is musical, and his energy will infect you like the best drug ever could.
I met TJ late last year when I made a rare appearance to sit in with my great friend and mentor, Spurgie Hankins.
Spurgie, like so many other musicians our age in this area, are constantly aligning themselves with younger players. Ever teaching, and inspiring, the best way that we know how...by being on the bandstage, and working it out.
Later on in the evening, in walks a young man with a bag of tricks that would make Felix the Cat envious. Young Mr. King takes his sweet time, gets set up, then in short order we take a break. While at the bar, he comes over and introduces himself, and I think, hmmmm, mannerly, but I bet there is some catch.
Well, after the break, back to the stage we go, Spurgie calls up TJ, and when the brother starts playing, believe me it was like crack cocaine for Charlie Tee, I completely forgot what the heck I was doing, because I was sooo digging what the "KING" was putting down.
As I said earlier, just talking to him is musical, so imagine what it's like to share a stage with him.
I have come to love this young man, who has a heart of gold, and pile driver hands.
When you're in the King's Court you can bet that you will bow down to the rhythm.
So back to my assessment, TJ King is the funkiest White guy on the planet...
OK smart alecks, I know that there are other people who are just as talented, who can make us move, I'm not that out of it, but believe me, TJ's stuff is so serious, that combining him with anyone, any musician that I can think of, he will accentuate their music, and lift it to the sky.
It got me off my fat ass !!
Whatever you do, if you even think that he is playing somewhere in the area, go and check out a new Charleston gem, and wonderfully, refreshing helluva nice guy...you'll be glad you did.
Catch TJ King holding court most Tuesday's with the Spurgie Hankins band at the Empty Glass in Charleston.
Also, another treasure tid bit, TJ is on the air at ROCK 102 FM. most evenings. His show is music, his life is music... hail to the king !
By the way, what makes me an expert ? MY EARS !! Check him out, and your ears won't lie to you either.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Quite Frankly, it's Rachel

I just love it when I discover a hidden treasure in music. For me it's almost equivalent to winning the lottery, and when I least expect it, it can be even better, like serendipity. So let me tell quite frankly about Miss Rachel Franks:

There I was, minding my own business when onto the stage steps a svelte, sinuous, and sultry singer, who opened up her mouth, and just slayed me.
The stage: Toyota motorworks, the occassion, Toyota's 10th anniversary celebration, an event held at their Putnam County headquarters.
Larry Groce (of Mountain Stage fame) was asked to put together a musical lineup to help the Toyota company celebrate this milestone in West Virginia. Larry pretty much pulled out all the stops to make it an event that Toyota would not soon forget.
The lineup included the Mountain Stage band, Bob Thompson, The Carpenter Ants, and The Blue Notes featuring one Rachel Franks.
Now you have to understand that I am fanatical about singers. I don't have a problem with whatever style they choose just as long as they can deliver the goods...
Well let me tell you here and now, Rachel not only delivers, but it was like watching Aretha, or Patti, or Chaka Khan at work stoking the crowd to a fever pitch, and this Sister just completely blew me away.
It was a crying shame that the Toyota employees weren't there to hear what they sorely were missing.
None the less, I had such a grand enough time listening to Rachel that I probably made up for the lack of a crowd.
Afterwards, I asked Steve Himes (the leader of the Blue Notes) for a copy of their CD, and since that time I listen to it at least once a day.
Rachel is a singers singer, and I would easily put her in the same category as the late Minnie Riperton, she just works the nerve of a song.
So you see, Toyota's loss is my gain. I'm saying all that to say that if you want to make a dull day bright, go and check out this hidden treasure wherever the raw sound of vocal power is flowing, you be glad that you did, but quite frankly that's just Rachel.

Click here for info on Rachel Franks, and the Blue Notes.

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Phil Ruby, Diamond in the Rough

If you're into jewelry you know that rubies are precious stones, but you also know that there is nothing like the brilliance of a diamond.
Well I know a fella that is as precious as a ruby, with the sparkle of a diamond...
Just a little play on words as I tell you about a wonderful musician and singer with a sparkle in his name, and some polished musicianship in his game...Phil Ruby.
I met Phil in 1995 when I played saxophone in a country band called County Line. Phil replaced our regular bassist Paul Billante' for a period, and let me tell you when the brother opened up his mouth to sing I was moved to say the least...what a wonderful voice.
Fast forward a few years...I hadn't seen Phil for quite awhile, then I started sitting in with Jim Snyder at the River's Edge here in St.Albans, and lo and behold who was the bassist, Phil Ruby.
I know alot of bass players who make a stab at trying to sing and play, but it seems to be a bit difficult for them, but Phil makes it look easy as he weaves his way through songs as diverse as Roger Miller to Keith Urban.
I got an e-mail from him recently and he was telling me that he was interested in doing some solo work, then he proceeds to tell me that he played at a party and the people there thought that he should strike out on his own and so some gigs...he actually sounded suprised by their comments.If these people knew what I knew, they would know that in Phil Ruby there is a diamond in the rough, and given the right circumstances we just may have another superstar singer on our hands.
Phil in my opinion is one helluva guy, and a grand musician, and he's sat in the back for far too long. Hopefully with this post and some loving prodding we can get him to start playing out more so that everyone can get a chance to see and hear this wonderful musician.
If you're out in the St. Albans area on most Thursdays, stop by the Rivers Edge Cafe and check out Phil with Jim Snyder and Friends. During the night Phil usually gets to switch to guitar and sing lead for a set, and I'll tell you that voice will be just the right touch to start off your weekend. You'll be glad you did.

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Michael "Stoney" Burks, the human Xerox machine.

If you ever want some true inspiration, this is a story that you don't want to miss.If you ever want to know that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind on, then this is the story for you.
Michael "Stoney" Burks is a true inspiration as a musician. He not only can play most any instrument, but he also masters them completely.
Stoney has been one of my dearest friends for a long long time.We were roommates, as well as bandmates for a number of years, and he is one of the people that I think of when I think about all the possibilities of what you can achieve in music.
I first met Stoney when I was in Stratus and the band went to Detroit to do a gig .If memory serves me correctly, I think that he was playing trumpet with someone else, when we recruited him to come to West Virginia to play with us which he accepted readily.
When he got here he quicky establised himself in the black music community as a musician of note. He joined Stratus as a second horn player along with Dugan Carter on the tenor saxophone.
Somewhere along the way he and I and Joloyd ( Stratus' drummer) ended up rooming together along with another friend of mine who was also from Detriot, so it was the New York boy with the Detroiters ( man that was a scene...),we had this serious apartment in Dunbar, threw some of the jazziest parties ever and jammed around the house all day long.
As it turned out we used to store the band equipment at the apartment, so Stoney had access to all of the instruments that we housed including a Fender Rhodes electric piano, and being inquisitive as he still is, he started teaching himself how to play.In nothing flat he became a serious keyboard player; from there he set his sights on the electric bass, and quickly mastered it.
Stoney is like a human Xerox machine in that he can copy something to perfection,even getting all the nuances.
My little brother still amazes me with his skills as a musician. I think about so many people out there who want to play music so badly, they spend countless dollars and countless time trying to become musicians, when the truth of the matter is that all they need to do is spend quality time with an instrument, and play something slowly until they get it...that's what Stoney does, and it truly does pay off.
If your out and about in the Charleston area, go check out Stratus and Stoney Burks wherever mellifluous sounds are emanating, you will be glad you did. You can also check out Stoney, Dugan Carter, and David Loyd, collectively known as Full Flavor, at the Empty Glass on Fridays during Happy Hour.They're one of the few musical situations that even during a Happy Hour people take notice of...It's that good.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Tim Courts, pounding out his path.

It's incredible to me to watch a guy like Tim Courts, because if you try to keep up, he can take your breath away with so much movement.Then again, maybe I should, since I need to lose weight, a day with Tim might just do me a whole lotta good...

When you talk about a man who is everywhere at once, you could be very well talking about this guy. It might make you wonder if our friends in Point Pleasant are on to something, with the Mothman thing.
Almost every time I look up in a musical situation in this town, smiling back at me is Tim Courts.
First of all let me say, that if you are seeing him, you are listening to one of Charleston's newset treasures. This brother's got the goods, he's a great drummer, keyboardist and arranger and he utilizes all these skills when he is involved in any number of his musical situations.
With jazz legend Bob Thompson, Tim can be heard playing pile driver drums,with First Baptist Church, he swells the keyboards, directs the choir, and they all make a joyful noise, and I know that he works 'em hard because my daughter Kendra is one of his choir members, and I know personally how great a singer she is.
The deal here is that Timmy Courts is pounding out his life path, and that path is set on loftier heights.
When you have the great Winston Walls, and Bob Thompson as your mentors, unless you just don't give a damn, which way do you think you're goin'?
I've known Tim now for a few years and I feel happier everytime I see him because he seems happier to be doing what he's doing, making music for the masses... literally.
If you can slow down your vehicle long enough, somewhere in this town is a young man who is making music that gives you a reason to be here, and that man is Tim Courts.Be sure to catch him, you'll be glad that you did

To be sure, I know that you can catch Tim most Tuesday's with Bob Thompson at
Legends
806 Kanawha Blvd.
Charleston WV, 25301
342-2699

Also. Tim and the great First Baptist Chuch Choir
Shrewsbury St.
Charleston WV, 25301
This is a beautiful church with the friendliest folks, head there for Sunday prayers.

Supprort Live music today tomorrow and always...and that would include going to church services. It's joyful for a reason.

Lisa Thomas Peery, a sound from above

Having played the flute as my principal instrument for many years, I can tell you first hand that it's not nearly as easy as one thinks to master it.
Of course that statement is true of any instrument, but that little woodwind can be a bear sometimes, unless your name is Lisa Peery...
I'm going to tell you about a Charleston lady who has made her chosen axe one that makes the Angels weep with joy and exuberance.
I've been a fan of Lisa's since I met her in 1993 at a jam session that she Kai Haynes, David and JoLoyd,and David Lavigne used to hold on Saturdays at the Firehouse club on the East End of town. This night saw them take on one of my favorite pieces at the time, Carly Simon's "You Belong To Me." In the original song my hero David Sanborn takes the Alto sax solo, so imagine my wonderful surprise when Lisa not only nailed it with the Flute but also made it sound twice as good, plus sang the hell out of the song to boot.
Charleston has many fine Flutists, but Lisa' s sound is from somewhere else...a sound somewhere above in the Heavens.
She and her wonderful husband Al (a great trombonist) have carved themselves a nice life here in the Valley, while she plays in our wonderful West Virginia Symphony, Al plays the 'bone with Blues du Jour. They are the travel bandits.These days when I see the 2 of them, they're headed off somewhere...it's all so beautiful ( no pun intended).
Lisa, I'm very sad to say hasn't been playing out much these days and I miss seeing her in the fray.She's too talented to be sidelined to just the Symphony.
There is much that is great about this dynamic and beautiful lady, and I sincerely hope that if you read these words, you'll make it your business to seek out this incredibly talented woman...you'll be glad that you did.

First one to find her and get her to re-appear publicly and play for the masses again wins a CD of their choosing...the challenge is up, e-mail my post. Lisa, come back to us, we miss you!!

Catch Lisa Thomas Peery with The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.