Bonamassa was born in Utica, New York. He received his first guitar from his father at the age of 4, and by age 7 he was playing Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix tunes note for note. At the age of 11, during a short period of being mentored by Danny Gatton, he learned such styles as country and jazz as well as heavy rock. During this time with Gatton, Bonamassa sat in with Gatton’s band whenever they played in New York. He first opened for B. B. King at 12 years of age. After first hearing him play, King said, “This kid’s potential is unbelievable. He hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface. He’s one of a kind.” At 14, he was invited to attend a Fender guitar event; during that trip to the West Coast he met Berry Oakley, Jr. Bonamassa and Berry founded the group Bloodline with Miles Davis’s son Erin and Robby Krieger’s son Waylon. They released one album which produced two chart singles — “Stone Cold Hearted”, and “Dixie Peach.” He has since played with other music greats including Buddy Guy, Foreigner, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker, Gregg Allman, Steve Winwood, Paul Jones, Ted Nugent, Eric Clapton, and Derek Trucks.

Teresa Russell is one of the hardest working entertainers in Ventura County. Described as “the most awesome Female rock guitarist…ever!” is simply an understatement – Teresa Russell is one of the best guitarists out there: male or female. Teresa, is the only female to ever qualify in the “top eight” for the national finals in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s lead guitar competition, Guitarmageddon.

I hope you enjoy the video I’m featuring this week because Teresa Russell rips it up in her rendition of the Jimi Hendrix classic, Red House!

HOT BLUES FOR THE HOMELESS

Howlin’ Wolf is one of my favorites. At about 2:35, it appears that Son House was there, in fact there are other videos from the same set on YouTube, and some claim that it is, indeed, Son House. Kinda makes sense, as House was re-discovered in Rochester about 1964, and this performance was in ’66. In another video, Wolf seems a bit pissed at House, as it appears Son House was drunk and was supposed to perform. It’s cool, too, that Wolf played both guitar and mouth harp.

House lived in obscurity in Rochester for decades. He lived next door to Joe Beard, after that man moved to Rochester from the Delta in the 50′s, in fact Joe claims it was Son House who got him to play guitar. I’ve met Beard a few times, and a friend happens to be one of Joe’s old mouth harp players from about 20 years ago. That friend would play out with Joe whenever he was in town, and they would pack the house (Dinosaur, etc.).

From what I gather they (House and Beard) lived over on Greig (sp?) St., off Clarissa near to Corn Hill. House worked on the NY Central RR, until he was re-discovered in ’64. Several of his interviews and performances are on YouTube.

Thanks HowardRoarke for this excellent suggestion and account of Son House and Joe Beard!

Happy Birthday Elvis!