As we near the end of the year and reflect on what is important in our lives, I wanted to share a story about a "Special Event" that happened in the Tampa Bay area this fall.
It was a benefit for the late Craig Van Tilbury who related to me, while he was working with me as a guitar player recently, that his "claim to fame" was being the guitar player for Joey Dee and the Starlighters of “The Peppermint Twist” fame in Europe.
"The Best of The Best" of Tampa Bay’s Musicians/Blues Musicians, came to skippers Smoke House on Monday Sept. 27th 2010 to honor Craig’s memory.
In the audience was: Damon Fowler and his band, Sean Chambers, Steve Arvey, Jimmy Griswald, Charlie Morris, Sarasota Slim, Ed Wright, Branson, and George Harris - guitar player and owner of Panda Recording Studios.
Steve Arvey had this to say, "I didn't even know Craig, and I needed an Amp once, and he just loaned me one. What a great guy!"
As a guitar player he was in rotation with Sarasota Slim and slated to play a
gig with me the week he passed on. It was always a pleasure to work with him on shows at Brandy’s and Screwie Louies.
Joey Dee and The Starlighters took the stage joined by George Harris on guitar, and local saxophonist, Tim Eddie, to honor and remember Craig.
The closing show was The Damon Fowler Band joined by Ed Wright on his right, Jimmy Griswald on his left and left of Jimmy was Sean Chambers. They were all playing together, and trading leads from left to right, and back again. They played songs by Craig’s favorite guitar players, from Roy Buchanan to Jimmy Hendrix. Then near the End, Damon Fowler took off his guitar and brought up Branson to play, and Sean Chambers offered his to George Harris, and they continued to pass leads back and forth in an awesome display of musicianship! These are not just the BEST guitar players in Tampa, but knowing them, and playing with the majority of them, these are among the best players in Florida! Not only is a fitting tribute to the man, but also to the music and community to which we all share.
As to my involvement in the local scene as a band leader I use as many of these guys as I can put to work as The ambassador to the Blues Hall of Fame. I initiated inductions into the Blues Hall of Fame, and make sure they receive the recognition they deserve. These are "real deal" guys that ARE playing the Blues. So my involvement is to work with Anybody and Everybody to see to it that the Blues continues to flourish and prosper in Tampa Bay and beyond.
The other ambassadors of The Blues Hall of Fame that are in Florida; Gabe Butterfield and Sally Squitieri of Sopchoppy, Jeff Todd of Central Florida, and Al Stone of Jacksonville are all as committed as I am in this endeavor.
As to Craig--I won't say "Craig YOU will be missed" I'd rather say "Craig, YOU are remembered!"
Randy Bluesman Hock
www.myspace.com/randybluesmanhock
http://www.reverbnation.com/Randybluesmanhocksbluesmachine
*EDITOR’S NOTE*
Randy is currently in a song competition and if you want to help out (no registration and just TWO clicks!) here is the info…you can hit it daily up to Jan 2nd and every vote is not only a vote Randy, but a vote for the blues!
Living The Life of The Blues has moved up again to #2.
You can find it here: http://www.musictampabay.com/
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