Jammin with Bands

"JAMMIN WITH BANDS"

Well, Getting into as many places as possible was the goal for a few years. I was playing in a few different Bands while this traveling Scene was happening. One of the Guys that came over to my house to ask me to play in his band was a guy by the name of Jerry Holloway. He was a bass player that knew a lot of people and he lived just down the street from me. We practiced a lot at his house so we could start doing all kinds of Gigs.
(this picture is from one of those gigs) We played everything from:
Junior Rodeo Dances, JC's on 16th Street in Phoenix, Knights Clubs, Wickenberg Rodeo Dance, New River Bar, Golden Spike, Wagon Yard and many many Wedding Receptions. It was a 4 Night a week Job and I was having the best time ever. I was lead signing and playing lead guitar.

We had a great time playing all over the valley. It was a lifestyle that was hard to get used to. We developed a little following of Fans, that made it easier getting ready to play another night. Meeting good people and doing what I enjoyed,, was a lot of fun.



SAMMI SMITH-Recording Artist.

One of my most memorable opportunities was to have the recording artist come to stay with my family as we were living in the Garfield Home. My Sister Stephanie met her and invited her to come stay with us. I remember meeting her and just was in awe knowing that she was a famous singer. I can remember the time she picked up my Guitar and starting to sing her most famous hit at that time. "Help Me Make It Through The Night" Her voice was so clear and she sang with a little accent. She invited me to play the song for her as she sang it,,, I was thinking in my own head, This is Pretty COOL.
There was a time when my Sister and her (now deceased) husband Buddy Long who played for his entire life, took me took a nightclub. She was invited to go up and sing along with Buddy playing the Bass.. She told me she wanted me to go and accompany her do her song. I was a little scared but she was kind and made me feel as if we played together all the time. I can still remember how beautiful she sang and how the music sounded that night. She stayed for a couple months and I felt pretty special having her in my home.
As a Tribute to her I just completed a Studio Version of that very song with Professional Recording artists. I hope to have it released soon.

That made lasting impression in my life.

This is how I remember Her!

"SAMMI, My version of your song is dedicated to you all of the memories that you helped create in a young mans life." Thank You-Dave Hutzler