Darrell Ramsey, Truly, Semper Fi

Place your seat in the upright position, because we're about to descend in the land of a true mountaineer.
Let me introduce you to one of my dearest friends, Darrell Ramsey.

I actually met Darrell many years before we officially met in 1993, when I was here visiting my chiildren in 1987. I had been here for about a month, when my then wife urged me ot get out the house for awhile. My son had told me about a friend of his who played in a band and he wanted me to go and hear them.
What my child didn't tell me (and I'm actually glad...) that this was a country band.
Not that it made a difference, but I just wasn't prepared for 2 things. The first, how damn good they were and second, the gentleman on whom this blogpost is written about today.
Fast forward to 1993, the scene is the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta an annual citywide event which showcased many of the local acts. I was working for the Musicians Union and went to make sure the staging area was set OK for the act that evening.
Imagine my complete surprise when I see that it is none other than Darrell Ramsey and his band County Line. I hate to say this, but they remembered me before I did them, but I'm glad they did because after their gig, one word lead to another and they invited me to join the band...which I hurry up and did. Did I say they were good...
Over the 5 plus years I spent with them, we enjoyed rocking out many joints and honky tonks along the way.
Not only did I learn an encyclopedia's worth of music from Darrell, but also I learned that fine art of showmanship.
Darrell, if you've never seen him, is one of the best frontmen/ leaders that you will ever see in the music business.
Some people can sing, some can play an instrument. but it's truly rare to have both in one who does it this well. He is also one of the funniest men on the planet. If the music thing wasn't working he would give Jeff Foxworthy a serious run for his money.
Darrell is just a rare gem, plus he's just too damn cool for me. Seriously though, I want to tell you about the kind of man he truly is.
One Friday night we were scheduled to play at place in Charleston which just happened to be down the street from where I was living at the time (how convenient...). Well, I arrived ahead of the rest of the band, and when I walked in and said that I was playing here tonight, the bartender looked at me sort of in shock.
What I didn't know was that this was a bar that was not frequented by people who look like me (if you're not sure where I'm going here just look at my picture and come back, you'll understand it then...).
When Darrell arrived he was told that because I was in the band that we would not be allowed to perform.
My friend was deeply insensed, and told the bartender, the owner and anyone else who would listen that you are "missing out on one the finest musicians that you'll ever want to hear, and if you don't allow us to play, you need not EVER call us again." He then proceeded to take the entire band out of the gig. The owner said "but you guys can play here. " Darrell then said "that's not gonna happen, if we can't play with Tee, then the hell with you."
 Let's just say that County Line with Charlie Tee prevailed. You see, when the house realized how much it stood to lose that night, they decided that tonight there would be in their midst a Black man from the Bronx.
Needless to say,we smoked the place, and burned it to the foundation, and to boot, they invited us back several more times. Talk about knocking down barriers.
Of course this cemented my love for this wonderful human being. Dr King would have been proud.
County Line days behind us and Darrell and I remain the best of friends, but I truly wanted the world to know how much I love and respect this man, this former Marine who is truly as the corp says Semper Fi (always faithful).
Darrell was out of the scene for far too long, but he is starting to stir down in the southern part of our great state, so very soon, you'll be able to catch him do what he does best. No matter where he is performing, be sure to get yourself there to see him, you'll be glad you did.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Robert Shafer, flat out pickin'

Please sit back and let me tell you a story about one remarkable musician.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Robert Shafer.
Folks, let me tell ya, Robert Shafer is truly one of those rare entities that come once in a lifetime...so I am glad to say that it is in our lifetime.
I first met Robert back in 1993 when I arrived here in Charleston and from the time that we met, we have been fast friends. Luckily for me as well he became my bandmate in The Carpenter Ants for a period.
On our regular Wednesday night gigs Shafe would wow our audiences with that flatpicking magic that is his trademark.
To this day, there are just some licks that he played that defy logic for me. It was enough for me to have Michael Lipton be the other guitarist, but watching him and Robert create solos was even better than going to music school.
Robert handles so many different styles of music with such ease, you wonder...was this guy born with a guitar in his crib? The answer, YES!!!
One of his musical heroes the late Danny Gaton would have been absolutely proud of all that Robert has accomplished. He has been several times the National Flatpicking Champion. He's won several contests at our Vandalia Gathering. He has recorded with many artists from Allison Kraus to Johnny Staats and The Carpenter Ants in between.
To be sure Robert has also been a recording artist in his own right.
One story that sticks out for me is a trip we (The Carpenter Ants...) took to play in southern Maryland. On the way to the gig we stopped by to view the home of Danny Gaton. As I said earlier, he was one of Robert's heroes, when we reached his home Robert was so moved just being in his presence that his eyes began to well up. That moment so moved me, that it cemented Robert's stature in my heart.
Aside from being a phenomenal musician, Robert is also one of the funniest guys I know, you don't want to get in his crosshairs with something funny, believe me.
In all, I just want to let you know about this man who just goes about life flat out pickin', and tell you that if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in action, make it your business to go and see him whereever you hear the sound of a guitar maestro at work,, you'll be glad you did.
Also,be sure to check out Robert in any of his entites such as his great disc "Hillbilly Fever," Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys, The Carpenter Ants CD, "Long Live The Queen." and several Mountain Stage CD's
You can catch him on Facebook too!!!
One last add on...catch him on You Tube.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.