Still Shots from The Coffee Shop Jam Video

Still Shots from The Coffee Shop Jam Video

FLLOYD READING INSPIRES BLT AND HANK COLLABERATION

"Lloyd Reading was born June 2, 1919 in Oklahoma. Came out to Bakersfield, California in 1938 during the Dust Bowl. Sang at the "Blackboard Cafe" in Bakersfield in '38 thu '39 as part of the Bob Manning Trio. First group to play country music live in Bakersfield. Before them it was "Horn" Bands. Played with the "Rocky Mountain Cowboys" near Visalia from 1940 to 1950. Played with Jelly Sanders for two years in that area. Formed the California Playboys, for 40 years. Had Joe Holley, Bob Wills left handed fiddle player for 7 years in his band. Now at 89 years old he still performs at many local venues. Considers "Trouts" Nightclub as his home away from home. Anna Reading is the daughter of Lloyd Reading"







HERE IS A QUOTE FROM DR. BLT FROM THE BAKERSFIELD UNDERGROUND:

"Before Buck and before Merle, there was Mr. Lloyd Reading. He's the most accessible living legend from the earliest of the Bakersfield Sound generation. At 89 years of age, he's the man the younger generations of Bakersfield Sound-rooted artists are turning to for mentoring and for inspiration. I hope to interview him for an article I'm calling Reading between the Lines. But, in the meantime, my good friend, and one of Bakersfield Sound's fastest-rising underground underdog stars, Mr. Hank Ray, and myself, would like to introduce him through a song. It's a song we wrote and recorded in a period of about 20 minutes in the BuckarooM. It's for you, Lloyd. You rock! The future of the Bakersfield Sound rests in your guitar-pickin' hands! "

Playboy Lloyd
Dr BLT featuring Hank Ray
words and music by Dr BLT and Hank Ray copyright 2008 Nu Bako Sound Recordings


PHOTO BY BLT:
Media

Playboy Lloyd
brought the Sound to this town
before Buck and Merle
before them boys were around
Playboy Lloyd
when it comes to Kern
well, you wear the crown

Playboy Lloyd
you're my mentor, man
accessible to the youngsters
and their nu sound bands
building bridges to the future
all across this land

you were a child of the dustbowl
played the Blackboard in those days
with the Bob Manning Trio
man yourself a name
playin' Trout's every Sunday night
upon the Blackboard stage
Playboy Lloyd
still alive
and on your game

Playboy Lloyd
brought the Sound to this town
before Buck and Merle
before them boys were around
Playboy Lloyd
when it comes to Kern
well, you wear the crown


Permalink: blog.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com/2008/06/28/playboy-lloyd-new-song-from-the-buckaroom-pays-tribute-to-local-living-legend.aspx

Dagney's Coffee Shop Bluegrass Jam

Dagney's Coffee Shop Bluegrass Jam was today. It was a great jam with pretty much an even distribution of instruments. The coffee shop people were very nice and a lot of patrons came in a listened. The Bakersfield Californian sent a photographer over to do a sound-slide presentation on their web page. Unfortunately I was to busy wrestling with my old banjo tuners to get the players names, but they were to involved in picking to do much interviewing. I came over with Lloyd Reading, whom used to play the old Blackboard in the late 1930.

Here is the notice:

Hey folks,
Just a reminder up the upcoming Dagney's Jam this saturday at 2:00 p.m. We held our first Dagney's Jam last saturday. I really had a great time and even though the jam was small the tunes and the music were great. Thanks to Dagney's for opening up their doors for this jam. We are not sure at this point if this is going to be an every saturday jam or every other saturday. Come on down and enjoy the tunes or help make the tunes. Jeff Russinsky will be hosting the jam and you can call Jeff @ 364-1553 or 324-7604 for more info.

THE HANK RAY INTERVIEW WITH LlOYD A. READING

THE HANK RAY INTERVIEW WITH LlOYD A. READING June 22, 2008 at the Blackboard

HANK RAY PHOTOS DURING THE INTERVIEW:





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Lloyd at the Buck Owens Chrystal Palace

I consider myself really lucky to have met and played music with Lloyd. He is a great
singer, guitarist and song writer. He has the voice of Ralph Stanley and writing skill of Hank Williams. Lloyd is a great source of information on the early days of country music and has toured and played with many of the greats, including Bob Wills.
He is the nicest fellow you can meet. I hope to play music with him again soon and perhaps we can get another interview! You can find Loyd at Trouts' Blackboard and Green Room for jam session, shows and festivals. Lloyd got a standing ovation at this years Bakersfield Music Festival (Buck Fest). Lloyd was also honored at the Bakersfield Music Awards at Trouts.

Interview:

I’ve been doin’ this music since I was 14. I had a band in Visalia in 1952 and had the band for 47 years, “The California Playboys”. I did all the Bob Wills stuff. I grew up with that music in Okalahoma. I had Joe Holly in my band for eight years before he passed away and we did all that stuff. I always followed that trend, because I grew up with it.
I’m going into the studio soon with my grand son, Mike, as engineer and I have a lead fiddler from the Fresno area comin’ down. She does all the Bob Wills stuff….those long….. drawn out notes, were going to get those recordings started and give them to Joe Streep.
Ya, I came here in 1938 and left and came back and I’ll be here until I die. I am proud to be here.


http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.photo.gif
Add Image
The above photo by Dr. Blt From:
"Bakersfield Sound Undergroud" with Don Kidwell usually on Lead Guitar is on base(BLT is a Bakersfield artist and blogger)

Below, the California Playboys, with Lloyd Reading (photos from Lloyd Reading Collection):







"Lloyd Reading was born June 2, 1919 in Oklahoma. Came out to Bakersfield, California in 1938 during the Dust Bowl. Sang at the "Blackboard Cafe" in Bakersfield in '38 thu '39 as part of the Bob Manning Trio. First group to play country music live in Bakersfield. Before them it was "Horn" Bands. Played with the "Rocky Mountain Cowboys" near Visalia from 1940 to 1950. Played with Jelly Sanders for two years in that area. Formed the California Playboys, for 40 years. Had Joe Holley, Bob Wills left handed fiddle player for 7 years in his band. Now at 89 years old he still performs at many local venues. Considers "Trouts" Nightclub as his home away from home. Anna Reading is the daughter of Lloyd Reading" (Myspace).






REVIEW OF SONG WRITING WORKSHOP
Category: Music

REVIEW OF SONG WRITING WORKSHOP THAT LlOYD READING HELPED WITH

I went out to the Black Board tonight, and all this week for a free songwriting workshop.
SONG WRITERS' WORKSHOP
The workshop was put on by Tom Rockwell, business manager at Trout's Nightclub, and the proprietor of the Blackboard stage and basement where the workshop was held. Rockwell (as he is known by all) is always on the move making sure everything is going right, to him everybody is important and everything that is going on in the place is meaningful. I am but a rank amateur at music but I love writing songs as a hobby, for fun and I tell you my skills were modified 10 fold by this exiting 3 day workshop. Some of the finest country music song writers in the world came in and helped out, including Red Simpson and Lloyd Reading.



Rockwell did an outstanding job and was there filming and or recording the class the whole time. We each took turns in the "hot seat" where we got real world stage experience in front of the class and interested on-lookers. I admit I had some bad stage freight, but everybody made me feel right at home and by the end of the third night I was fairly confident, lots of encouragement… unfortunately I was just too tired to perform my tunes. I did get some good performance early in the week though, so I came out of it feeling pretty good about my stage experience. I learned that song writing is a lot about writing and rewriting lyrics over and over until you get the product you desire and then working out the music with other musicians. Some of the Blackboard Playboys were there with high degree of musical expertise and were very helpful in this process.. This was like an inspirational work shop for song writing! A fun, and highly recommended, experience. That's-a-foe-show---


Watch the Trout's' Blackboard calendar for future free workshops

Letter from Lloyd's Daughterabout the article:


"Dad LOVES what you did on your site. One correction. Dad never played with Bob Wills. He met him about ten times but never played professionally with him. He appeared with Rose and Cal Maddox, knew Emogene (Jeanne) Sheppard and can tell you great stories about them. 'Course he has a lot of great stories. One photo has Arthur spelled Aurthur and in one place his name is spelled Loyd instead of Lloyd.
BUT,Good Job, Anna Reading"











Here Lloyd with country star Terry Hanson and Bakersfield sound Guitar hero Don Kidwell.

Jeffrey Michael's 40 Years Ago In Bakersfield, In A Night At Joes'

Jeffrey Michael's 40 Years Ago In Bakersfield, In A Night At Joes'
Jeffrey Michael's

About Joes


"Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill opened March 7, 2005. Our style is true and true, red white and blue, with a real traditional and warm establishment. Our hours are 10am to 2am seven days a week. During football season we open at 9am Saturday and Sunday and serve breakfast until 11am (subject to change, call for details). We are a full bar and have a great food menu. There is plenty of room here with a capacity of 210 with lots of parking. This place is a melting pot for all, whether you are 21 or 101, you will fit right in. Joe’s is also the proud owner of Champs Sports Pub, the best Sports Bar in Burbank and one of the very first sports bars in Los Angeles since 1983.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

We have live entertainment seven nights a week. We pride ourselves in being one of the best live entertainment bars with a large dance floor in the San Fernando Valley. We have an eclectic selection of music such as Country, Swing, Rockabilly, Rhythm & Blues, Karaoke and good old fashioned American Classic Rock and Roll. You have got to check us out, the joint is jumpin every night of the week. This is definitely a great place to come for drinks with friends, do some dancing, and a great place by far to bring a date." (joesgreatamericanbar.com).









I headed down to Burbank form (and for) Bakersfield Friday night to see Jeffrey Michaels play at "Joe's' Great American Bar". There was almost no traffic on the way up the "Grape Vine" or down the grade and over to Burbank. I arrived about dusk and the band was unloading in front of the bar. I had met Jeffery over Myspace, whom his lead guitar player, Howard Yearwood recommended. I walked down the sidewalk into the bar and introduced myself to the band. After that I helped Howard unload his equipment. I felt like I was a small part of something really big.

I had intended on interviewing the band before the show but they we really buzzy setting up and greeting fans. I setup my video camera and visited a bit with Mark Thomas, who does upright, and electric bass. Mark listened to my rambling about my country music horror film - where giant ants eat Bakersfield, he thought I was nuts. I didn't get the interview or giant ant film footage I went for, but I saw a truly great country music show. It brought me back to the old Flying Burrito brother shows I used to thrive on. I stayed for one set and had to go, but it was one of those shows you could hang for hours and throughly enjoy every second. The electricity of the performance was emanating from the entire band the entire time. I had spoken to Jeffery on the phone the day before the show and he had said "the band plays every show with the conviction and energy they would use at a giant arena, and they surly lived up to their creed! I was really stoked when Jeffery dedicated a Buck Owens song to yours truly, Hank Ray, "all the way from Bakersfield" - that was cool. There was some really cool elements to this show that really stood out to me. Jeffery has some really classic Dwight Yokem moments, done well, Howard Yearwood pulled off some amazing Clarence White, Albert Lee and even some James Burton. But throughout they maintained a sense of themselves, it was a great show - they are something good and I am sure they are on they way to the top, BLT said this best in his classic Jeffrey Michael interview (Rising Up from the Underground, BLT 2008) and his quotes are near the end of this blog..


About Jeffrey Michaels from Myspace:
"The inception of Jeffrey Michael's sound echoes back twenty years to rural Appalachia. There, in what’s known as the ‘Tri-state area’ where the borders of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia all come together, Jeffrey grew up. The geographical location provided multiple musical influences. He soaked-up his parents love for the oldies, the Southern rock and country music of his surroundings, and the gospel and blues music of his idols.

It’s no wonder Jeffrey's music cannot be put into a category, nor labeled by the current music scene. Characterized by powerful vocals that range from ethereal and haunting to raw and raucous, Jeffrey's innovative melodies and eclectic array of styles manage to bring elements of roots, blues, and rock & roll to country, and create a soulful and passionate sound unequaled by today's standards.

Years of touring with national acts have honed Jeffrey's stage skills to that of a consummate professional, while his natural charm and down to earth personality keep him accessible to his audience.



Jeffrey Michael's debut album, "Endless Rd." Released in 2001 continues to gain critical acclaim nationally. The 2005 release of the singles “Mile High” and "One Woman Man" set the stage for the release of his current self-titled album, Jeffrey Michaels which is available at C.D. baby, select stores, and live performances


Spending the past few years touring and living in east Texas. Jeffrey has moved back to, and currently performing in Southern California. Jeffrey is working on a new album which contains 11 new originals as well as a remake of Buck Owens "Second Fiddle. Hoping to be out in the fall of '08. WINNERS RECORDS partners with Steven Sharp's Sharp Objects In a superb 16-year career, Steven Sharp has promoted more than 60 No.1 hits to Country Radio, including Alan Jackson's first chart-topper, "Here In The Real World". Steven has Jeffrey Michaels' powerful story song "Mile High" slated to be released Aug. 22 to over 2800 radio stations in the United States and overseas, supporting Jeffrey's newest CD, which debuted in Ft Worth, TX, April 6, 2005.

Exerts from: Jeffrey Michaels: The historic very first Bakersfield Sound Underground interview ever!Rising Up from the Underground Dr BLT Interviews Jeffrey Michaels :“The sound comes natural to me. As a kid I didn't know that there was something called the Bakersfield sound. I watched HEE HAW and knew that when Buck sang he meant it. He seemed to be sad when he sang a sad song, and happy when
he sang something up beat. That's what singing is to me. It's putting your heart in to what you're saying. I love that the Bakersfield sound wasn't about going against
the grain, but just doing what you feel.Howard Yearwood is on B-Bender, baritone guitar, banjo, and the B.U.Vox. Then we have Mark Thomas, who does upright, and electric bass.










Then, we have Paulie "Deadwood" Sinacor on drums. I'm working on a new album that I hope to have done by July.
The band has been performing some of the material that's going to be on it. I feel like it's getting a good response.Jeffrey Michaels: Where else? Myspace. www.myspace.com/jeffreymichaelsmusic

This is more than a concert or show review for me; it was sort of a crossroads for me. When I was a kid I was a huge fan of twang, you know – “the Bakersfield sound”. I loved the early Buck Owens music and all the incarnations of the Flying Burrito Brothers. My brother and I would sneak into the Palomino Club in North Hollywood and watch The Flying Burrito Brothers, Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band, Freddie Fender, Country Gazette and so on. I was hooked on the music, and my dad and I never missed Buck Owens on T.V. This was the late 1960s and early 1970s. In about 1976 or so I got the erg to learn the music myself, some of the local folks around my school said there was a guy that played guitar like Clarence white (Clarence was the guitar god among my buddies), he played bluegrass in a band called “Hot Off The Press”. My brother drove me up to Calabasas and we caught a couple shows and later we saw them at some of the many Bluegrass festivals they had around back then. Not long after that I went over to the Blue Ridge Picking Parlor on Reseda Blvd near Ventura Blvd. My dad had made me a nice little banjo when I was about 13, so I had a little picking experience. I didn’t have much money, but I scrimped and saved and mowed a lot of lawns and started taking flat pick guitar lessons from Howard Yearwood. I took the lessons for about a year and discovered I simply could not do it. But those days were great for me; we would talk about Clarence White and trade rare tapes stuff. I quite the lessons but still touched base with Howard at the local festivals until about 1978. Then one day I went to see Homer Joy play at the Black Board Stage, Homer Wrote Streets of Bakersfield for Buck Owens. In any case we reunited after 30 years as friends and are friends once again.

Filming The Giant Ant Film at Fat Track and the Bakersfield Sign.

I think perhaps this entire project was a mistake, oh well -I'm doing it anyway.

EATEN BY GIANT ANTS

ACT ONE SONG -The old country music is gone


-The old country music is gone
You know it never had a chance
The old country music is gone
Corporate music killed it just like giant ants.
-Corporate music came to call
Like some giant ants they killed it all
I’d like to hear more like Clarence and Hank
But big corporate music owns all the money in the bank
-The old country music is gone
You know it never had a chance
The old country music is gone
Corporate music killed it just like giant ants
-America has sold its’ music out
They forgot what Bakersfield and Nashville was all about?
Watch em on TV become a Nashville star
I can’t believe its’ gone this far.
--The old country music is gone
You know it never had a chance
The old country music is gone
Corporate music killed it just like giant