I vaguely remember our gear being broken down on the road to Pine Bluff but can't real- ly recall the entire episode. We generally did in excess of 250 shows a year and so much of the grind just ran together. Too bad you guys didn't get to do that show as we could've probably used a night off!
Watching you play live, to me you are more like Jeff Beck, and not necessari- ly a Texas blues rocker. How do you feel you have been labeled over your career the most, and has it been a posi- tive for you?
First off considering there are only twelve notes in all of western music, there's nothing that is completely original and hasn't been touched on by someone else. So, with that being said, it all comes down to your touch, style, and feel. I've been compared to other players and I always thought that's good in that at least I got their attention long enough to cause them to make a determination. I learned from my biggest guitar influences like my father, Otis Rush, Albert King, BB King, Hendrix, Chet Atkins and so many more. By studying and emulating their licks and styles it caused me to develop my own, sort of an amalgamation of those who were influential in my world of guitar. Otis Rush and Albert King licks were much easier to play as they and I play upside down and left handed. When I saw that they played the same way I did it gave me hope that my way of playing was okay. The physics were the same so they were easier to steal from.
Rusty, I think we should also mention that the Point Blank family has lost some brothers along the way in recent years. Please tell us a little about those who’ve passed on and does that some- how inspire you and Big John (O’Daniel) to carry on with the new record?
As for losing musical brothers, Point Blank has lost four members. Wild Bill Randolph in 2001, Phillip Petty in June of 2010, Kim Davis in October 2010, and Michael Hamilton in May of 2011. This has been very rough on those of us who remain. They were my best friends whom I spent more time with than anybody in my blood family. We shared the highest of highs and the lowest of lows together. We have experienced things togeth- er that most people in life will never under- stand unless they have toured together like we did. I miss them terribly and they were my brothers in many ways above and beyond the melodies we shared. The good thing is, I will see them again. John and I continue playing in Point Blank and I know each one of them left a mark on us that will continually show up in our music.
You make no secret of being a Christian and it seems to glow from you onstage. Like myself, you don’t take a backseat politically with your conservative, common sense convic- tions on our country and your patriot- ism. Do you feel those qualities drive your writing and inspire your playing more these days?
Being a Christian isn't something I do, it's what I am. So, I feel that the gift given to me by God is nothing to hide or be ashamed of. I am very open regarding my walk in faith and hope that it shows when I am playing as I believe that's why the gift of music was given to me, to amplify Him. A lot of people I know that saw my transition from not saved to saved would ask me "wassup dude, are you a Jesus freak now?" I'd just answer truthfully and say yeah, aren't you? Many said no but the seeds were planted. I have seen many of these same people later come to the Lord so I see how powerful and important my testimo- ny is. It's cool to love Jesus and I'm blessed to be able to show it. I vote politically for the
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