We met Jim, and I was imme- diately impressed watching him work in the studio, set- ting up the high dollar mike, placing everything at exactly the right angles and heights. It takes a special talent. The guy truly knows what he’s doing.
Soon, our drummer
showed up for the rehearsal. Billy had acquired Michael McGeary for the sessions, an outstanding percussionist with a resume a mile long. Michael is an amazing drum- mer with a great jazz style who reminded both Joey and me of our former drummer Dave Haddox, as well as Dave’s most famous student, Paul T. Riddle (Mar- shall Tucker Band). Michael "Hambone" McGeary.
Billy lays down some guitar tracks. (Photo by Joey Parrish).
McGeary is probably most known for his drum work as the backbone of Jerry Jeff Walker's Lost Gonzo Band, taking the lead on numerous albums including the now leg- endary Viva Terlingua, which also features Gary P. Nunn, Ray Willie Hubbard and oth- ers. McGeary was also drummer on Michael Martin Murphy's classic Cosmic Cowboy, and was the man on the skins for Balcones Fault, who in their day, were the kings of Austin’s own legendary Armadillo World Headquar- ters.
It was obviously another example of
how downright lucky I have been to perform and record with some of the very best musi- cians on earth. That includes bassist Joey Parrish, who I maintain is one of the finest bass players I have ever known, and I have known him since 1981. Other musicians are always commenting on Joey’s talent. He doesn’t over play, he doesn’t under play. He always plays exactly what is needed. My producer Billy Eli is another one I
am thoroughly impressed with as a musician, songwriter and now, producer. Same with Jim Hemphill, who engineered the project and played guitar, including the leads. A great group of players, no doubt. Once everything was set up, we did a
bit of rehearsals, drank a few beers, and set our goal to get all of the drum tracks down the next day, Saturday. We bid one another farewell, and Billy drove Joey and I back to our hotel, stopping of at a place called P. Terry’s for a burger. They make a good one. No additives, no filler, all good stuff. By the way, I need to tell you about the
place we stayed. It was called Studio 6. From what I gather, it is the sister chain to Motel 6. Now, the rate was anything but cheap, so I kind of expected a descent place, you know. Well, the problems began on day one, and never let up. From the beds, which are made up of a metal rack with a mattress flopped over it –it slides all over the place and killed my back- to flies in the room, to the fact that nobody came to change the sheets, make up the beds, etc. the entire five days. I called a couple of times and someone actually came to
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