Shoals music and other local scenes? I guess it would be the quality of the music. The talent bar is pretty high and the pool very deep, so you find multi-generation combina- tions you don't find elsewhere. David Hood playing on his son's Bettye LaVette produc- tion, Scott Boyer III sit- ting in with the Decoys while his dad recovers from surgery, N.C. Thurman, pi- anist with the Decoys, play- ing and writ- ing with a number of young bands drawing on his talent in many ways, Travis Wammack and his son Travis Wammack, Jr., a.k.a. Monkee Man playing together for years.
What do you miss most nowadays from the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music? I miss Barry Beckett and Jerry Wexler who died; Roger Hawkins and Wayne Perkins who are still with us, but aren't playing like they did for decades; real horns; the Muscle Shoals Music Association's Records and Producers Seminars; Wild Waterski Weekend parties; retail record stores with real records. I really don't have any fears about music's
future, it has existed longer than mankind's other languages. It will continue to exist as long as there are people to make it. I would hope the day will come when everyone has
the ability to communicate in that language.
Which memories from Lynyrd Skynyrd, J. Geils Band, and Taj Mahal make you smile? While I was working with LeBlanc-Carr we opened for these bands. That was real ex- citing, but the real Skynyrd smiles came from my first en- counter with the Jack- sonville group. I promoted a show with a couple of friends April 22, 1974 in Flo- rence, AL,
(Anthony Scarlati Photo)
that featured the Outlaws opening, Skynyrd headlining, and this guy named Jimmy Buf- fett we paid $75 to drive down from Nashville with another guitarist, Roger Bartlett, to play an acoustic set in front of the curtain while the bands' gear was changed out. Everything was fine as long as the crowd could hear the roadies hustling cases, but as soon as it qui- eted down behind the curtain a loud "Rock and Roll" rose from the crowd. It was soon followed by more shouts and heavy foot stomping. The Buffett set was cut short when he and Roger were drowned out. I wish I still had that Buffett contract. J. Geils Band was always fun to tour with.
The music was great, the crew was friendly and helpful, and there was always something going on. We got along so well, they asked us
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