Bob Thompson, The Master Key

This post, I'm especially proud to write...
Bob Thompson is not only my good friend, but also he's my "homeboy" as well, (Queens, New York y'all) !!!
It just seems as though I've known Bob forever and a day; I actually did know of him in New York, as we traveled some of the same circles musically.
When I moved here to West Virginia in 1971 imagine my great surprise when I found out that he lived here as well. Somewhere along the way we met and I got to hear him play and man I really saw in short order what everyone in New York was talking about, this guy played a piano to death.
What Winston Walls is to the B-3 organ, Bob Thompson is to the piano, Fender Rhodes and every other keyboard. He brings them to life.
He is one of the reasons that we have great shows like Mountain Stage. The greatness that he brings to that show in my opinion is unparalleled. If you're not sure what I mean just listen to him play the theme of Mountain Stage, it's just elegant, period.
One of the nice things that he is doing now is employing younger musicians, giving them a deserving break, and breaking out some cool city grooves with these guys. The Bob Thompson Quartet burns down the house every week here in Charleston at Legends as well as places like the ultra cool Vandalia Lounge, but truthfully, it's a whole lot more than just that, Bob is just a master and there's no denying it. In New York ( Bob will relate to this...) , when kids start getting toward the age where their parents entrust them with keys to their homes, the parents have the main keys and the kids all get a copy, we call those kids "latchkey" kids. The parents get the main or the master key because that one is the one that unlocks everything, and just as parents do they keep a watchful eye on their brood, thereby extolling them with responsibility. Well Bob has done that with these guys, giving them the musical responsibility to keep the jazz scene alive and thriving in Charleston...I think it's working !
If you're into the smooth as silk jazz groove, or the edgy jazz-rock fusion, then you need to go out and check out Bob Thompson wherever the melody leads you. You won't be sorry.

Click right here for more info on Bob Thompson.
Check out the Bob Thomplson Quartet at:
Legends
806 Kanawha Blvd.
Charleston WV, 25301.
(304) 342-2699
Don't forget also, to check out Mountain Stage live and on West Virginia PBS TV. Check your local listings for info.

To Bob, the Yankees are still better than the Mets...smile!!

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Jim Snyder, beachfront groovin'

It's really a misnomer to say that Jim Snyder is a Jimmy Buffet clone.
It's really crazy to say that Jim Snyder is egomaniacal ( as I've heard over the years) What is the absolute truth about Jim is that he is as driven a person as you will ever meet, and for whatever reason that stance may intimidate or infuriate some people, but take a different look here with me.

I've been hanging out with Jimmy now for about a month and a half at his regular Thursday gig in St.Albans at the River's Edge Cafe, and I will tell you that he has been nothing but gracious and kind to me, as well as an inspiration.
In the time that I've been hanging out with the band, Jim and I have had some serious talks about music, about life, dealing with children, and a great many other things and he has fascinated me with his knowledge of music, he has a wonderful voice and is a damn fine guitarist.
What I've come to realize is that I just didn't take the time to get to know him better and I'm sorry that I hadn't, but I'm now glad that have.
Playing in St.Albans with Jim Snyder and friends has been a great ego boost for me as well as a great learning experience...I had never really played alot of the songs that we do and it's been a fun challenge to play the sax on much of his stuff. One week he shocked me to death by telling everyone in the audience that night that, "I'm going to give you a real treat, you all need to hear Charlie Tee sing." What an honor for me, Omigod !!!
That's not someone who is all about an ego.
As far as comparisons to Jimmy Buffet it may be in the first name only, his style his voice, and the fun he brings to the music is nothing Jimmy Buffet can come even close to. I will say though that Jim Snyder's music does make one think of the beach, but it makes me think about the good times that I've always had when I'm near the ocean. To me his music is more reminiscent of Kenny Loggins, in the years just after Loggins and Messina, the Celebrate Me Home years.
Jim Snyder is about beachfront groovin' with some city slick funk thrown in.
Also, during this time Jim and I have been talking about his wonderful son Sam, who is the supreme joy in his life, and you can hear the music in his voice when he talks about Sam; he just glows with the kind of pride that I remember my Dad having about my Sisters and I, and to me that's really musical
I want to urge you, if your anywhere near anyplace that he is playing and you want to have an absolute blast of an evening, catch Jim Snyder and any of his friends shakin' the foundation. Your butt will thank you for it.

Catch Jim Snyder and friends regularly at the River's Edge Cafe on most Thursdays. It's too much fun!!
For more info on Jim Snyder, e-mail this posting or contact:
Jim Snyder
Po Box 421
Lewisburg WV, 24901
(304) 645- 6640

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Todd Burge, wit wisdom and Will

I've only known Todd for a few years but his music is so serious that I feel as though I've known him forever.
When it comes to speaking about West Virginia positively Todd Burge is the man you want to listen to. He sings with a compassion that can only come from having been born and raised in the Mountain state. His lyrics talk about moving away only to realize that home is the place you'd rather be, a home in Wood County.
I wrote once that Todd to my way of thinking is alot like Ed McMahon formerly of the Tonight Show, he appears to be very serious, but it's all a big set up for the punchline.

Todd Burge just makes me laugh out loud, he has a way of looking at things that many of us take for granted, with a humorous bent. With an eye for detail Todd paints great pictures with his music. Listening to him will put a feeling in your heart that is comparable to feelings you get when you miss something or someone terribly.
One of the things that he sings about with vigor is about leaving home because you see light at the end of your tunnel only to realize that the light you're looking at is the light from your home bekonning you back to your roots...I truly can identify.
When I left New York in 1992 for what I thought were greener pastures, I hadn't ever counted on going through the loss of my Sister, or the loss of the innocense of my city during 9/11. Even though I may not have been directly connected per se' I am a native New Yorker and those events hurt me deeply.
It took the music of Todd Burge's "Wood County Man," to make me realize just how much I missed home, and despite my love for the great state of West Virginia I miss my home...deeply.
To me, it takes real man to admit that he longs for the comfort of his childhood life and the security that being from a place like this can give you.
West Virginia has produced many many great people, and Todd Burge is in line with all of them. His music is profound and it's profoundly funny.
If you've ever listened to artists like the King of the Road, Roger Miller, and singers such as Ray Stevens, then you have the merest inkling of the kind of artist that is Todd Burge.
Todd and his beautiful wife/ life partner Lisa now also have the added blessing of their son Will. Their son has injected Todd's music with even more life, and even more humor. Todd told us through song that even watching movies like Easy Rider can have new meaning when you're watching while changing diapers.
I feel very lucky to call Todd a good friend, he has given all of us lots of needed encouragement, he is a musicians, musician, he is great painter of West Virginia pictures in song.
When you find the time please go and check out one of the states best artists...
if you love this state, you'll be glad you did, for Todd Burge is wit, wisdom, and the Will it takes to be a master storyteller.

This post is also dedicated to Lisa "Miss Leesee" Burge and master Will Burge. Thank you for your unselfish gift to West Virginia and the world of Todd, we are all better for it.

Todd has also joined the ranks of bloggers like me...here is his blog link and his website check them both out.
1.Todd Burge Music
2. Todd Burge.com

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