As we approach 24-years since the great blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan left this earth (have to think he’s up there jammin with Hendrix, Albert King, Hubert Sumlin, and Albert Collins), I still enjoy seeing material released today, especially material post-rehab where we see the true spirit, mind and soul of SRV unhindered by drugs and alcohol.
Came across this cool tour bus spot I hadn’t seen before – love the line “I was sleeping on pool tables, but probably this was the happiest time of my life because I was doing what I wanted to do, playing what I wanted to play”
How many of us could apply this simple principle to our lives? SRV had the guts to go after what he wanted, let’s all try to apply that to our lives moving forward.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan, texas blues by on Jun 23rd, 2014. Comment. 
It’s only fitting that the inagural year of creating the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame would see Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble join Texas giant Willie Nelson as the first inductees on April 26th
Great to see that Tommy Shannon made it out with the boys for performances with (of course) Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Doyle Bramhall II (who’s father SRV had an amazing writing relationship with), Robert Randolph, and others to accept and celebrate this great honor.
Hopefully this builds the case for SRV and DT to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside greats like BB King and Jimi Hendrix…
Here’s the story as it appears over at SRV’s official website
Filed under stevie ray vaughan, texas blues by on Apr 29th, 2014. Comment.
Can’t get enough stories about the early melting pot as Austin became the Blues Guitar ground zero for the likes of the Vaughans, ZZTop, Johnny Winter and opened the scene again for guys like Buddy Guy, Albert King, Albert Collins and Hubert Sumlin…largely impacted by the legendary club Antones – it was really the perfect storm of talent, inspiration, experience and desire and out popped an incredible blues reincarnation.
Here’s one of my favorite interviews with Stevie Ray Vaughan – he was clean, sober, happy and you can see the true man in every response to these questions…watch this
By the way – if you haven’t picked up both volumes of the Craig Hopkins “Day By Day, Night After Night” inside SRV story, you MUST pick this up. There are so many personal stories, original family/friend pictures, private stories from his earliest friends, gig posters and thorough gig lists…I couldn’t put it down.
Two things I pulled out of these volumes…
1. SRV was NOT an overnight success, he put in years of nightly gigs to pay his dues and learn the blues -by the time Texas Flood was released he was likely more experienced than most professional musicians at the end of their careers
2. He was, in many ways, a genius – gifted with an amazing ear and a passion for the guitar that dwarfed anything else in life…just as Steve Jobs obsessed over technology, SRV obsessed over the blues guitar. The books were incredibly insightful and interesting.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan by on Sep 3rd, 2012. Comment.
It still seems like yesterday when I heard the devastating news of SRV’s death in a helicopter crash after a show at Alpine Valley. Yet, incredibly it is 22-years later and the flame burns ever brighter.
Stevie Ray continues to influence a generation of guitar players, continues to inspire those who find themselves mired in addiction and I believe continues to bless us with his spirit each and every day.
In an era of electronic music, selfish interests and celebrity – it reminds me of the eighties when Stevie hit with his authentic, raw talent single-handed re-invigorating the guitar and music with feeling…god we could use him NOW!
Our hope today is with guys like Joe Bonamassa and Doyle Bramhall II as well as Gary Clark Jr can pull us through. With Stevie, you go it all – incredible talent, that unique ability to channel raw emotion through an instrument, fundamentally kind soul and the ambition of a leader…those qualities don’t come along everyday and that’s why we may never again see another SRV.
For now, here are a couple of reminders of what we had, how we were blessed, what we lost and what (god willing) we may again see one day…
In this interview, Stevie shares some great opinions and views on the music business, blues and how we got his start as well as an amazingly well spoken explanation of his addiction struggles…
Love his answer to the question “Why do you think you appeal to the masses?” – SRV’s answer “Because I try my best to play the music that I love – it’s HONEST!”
And here is an interview with his band (Double Trouble) drummer Chris Layton…some additional insights into his past playing with Stevie Ray – explaining him as a “Kind Soul” and “Gentle” – pretty much sums it up…
Don’t know about you, I’m just happy to have witnessed and been inspired by Stevie Ray and Double Trouble.
Do you have a favorite memory of seeing Stevie – leave a comment and let everyone know.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan by on Aug 27th, 2012. 2 Comments.
I had no idea that Stevie Ray Vaughan had ever met Muddy Waters, until now, most others didn’t either.
Can you imagine the stories they would have and, if a few years earlier, the kind of music Stevie and Muddy may have made together.
Two giants of the blues guitar and blues music in general, equally large in terms of stage presence and charisma, there’s no telling the possibilities.
Take a look at this YouTube video from a photographer who worked for magazines in the past who has some very exclusive photos of Stevie and the great bluesman Muddy Waters:
Isn’t that cool?
Filed under Blues Legends, stevie ray vaughan by on Dec 11th, 2011. 1 Comment.
Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the day the music stood still…when SRV passed on in a helicopter crash after playing Alpine Valley.
It seems like a few months ago, but there have been very few times I have been blown away by music since then. In fact, I would have to say I listen much more today to all of the original bluesmen – thanks to Stevie for opening my eyes to all of these guys.
Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Abert, BB, Freddie King, Lightning Hopkins, his brother Jimmie who I like more and more each time I listen to him…all brought to my attention starting with Stevie’s unwavering support of those who went before him.
And it was heart felt too…just look at any video where Stevie played with his mentors – Albert King on “In Session”, BB King, this video where he shares the stage with the great Johnny Copeland on a couple of songs – first the rocking blues number “Little Sister” and second, the laid back, but powerful “Tin Pan Alley” – watch how much he enjoys and respects being on the stage with another of his hero’s:
I am thankful each and every day that I lived in the same lifetime as SRV, it was him that sparked my own interest in guitar playing, opened up the heartfelt and pure experience of blues music, created friendships I would never have had and allowed me to share much of this with my own kids.
To all of those who were close to Stevie Ray, his family, friends and loved ones who now carry the burden of sharing the one they love with an adoring public – stay strong and you have managed his legacy well.
RIP 20-Years After to one of the greatest blues guitar players that ever lived…Stevie Ray Vaughan!
Filed under stevie ray vaughan by on Aug 29th, 2010. Comment.
For fans of the Vaughan brothers masterful blues guitar playing, here is a vintage clip where Jimmie Vaughan is at his best with a smoking blues song from the Fabulous Thunderbirds called “The Crawl”
Watch as these Texas guitar greats dual with rare footage of Stevie Ray playing a Fender Telecaster and brother Jimmie playing behind his head. Sibling rivalry or just plain Texas blues guitar jamming, what do you think?
Filed under blues guitar, New Blues, stevie ray vaughan by on Dec 14th, 2009. Comment.
If you can’t feel the groove in this blues guitar toon titled “Too Sorry” with dynamic duo Stevie Ray Vaughan and Doyle Bramhall (the original) – you ain’t got a pulse.
Oh ya…and unless you couldn’t tell, this is Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton with them…
Filed under New Blues, stevie ray vaughan by on Dec 13th, 2009. Comment.
