Davey Knowles - tears down the walls at red rock!

Davey Knowles is phenomenal.  I've written about him many times before, here's a post from when I saw him this summer.

(This one's for you, Tom D.)





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Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam - Awesome show on Sept. 26

I've never reviewed a concert I haven't been to, but I know for a fact that Davy and his band were great last night - because they are just GREAT.

I was suppose to go see them open for Queensryche and Chickenfoot but got lost for hours due to my terrible sense of direction and bad memory.  I really don't want to talk about it further than that :(

(I did get to see Robert Cray on 9/24 and he wrote the song "Back Door Slam" which Davy named his band after).

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, Queensryche, Chickenfoot

I'll tell ya what's a real bummer - when one of your favorite bands is opening for a popular band and tickets sell out before you get a chance to buy one. Of course this is great for Davy, but it sucks for me.

They are playing near me the day before and after my birthday and both shows are sold out except for bad seats in the bleachers in the back. Ugh.

On the other hand, I can go see Robert Cray that same weekend very close to where I live. I just need some good LIVE guitar to sustain me. General admission plus you have to buy dinner if you want good seats...sounds perfect. My friends around here keep asking what I want to do to celebrate, but going to see music like this with people that don't appreciate or enjoy it is awful, I rather go alone!

Davy Knowles

Back in May I wrote that I had my fingers crossed about the possibility of seeing Davy Knowles this summer and guess what - I did!  Now to try to find the words to describe one of the best shows I've ever seen.  I think if my favorite guitarist of all time heard him play, Stevie Ray would agree with me that

Davy Knowles is a legend in the making

If you check out my sidebar you'll see that I first heard his prodigious talent back in August '08 and was immediately aware that I was listening to a superb musician.  Tonight I experienced it firsthand and it blew me away.  Listening to a CD is one thing but seeing it, hearing it and feeling it live in person brings it to a different dimension.  You must make it a priority to check him out for yourself.

Tonight Davy's talent and passion radiated from him along with his evident joy in performing for an appreciative audience.  You could tell he was genjuinely pleased, maybe even a bit taken aback,  by our powerful reaction.  After the show he took the time to sign autograph's and meet people and he had quite a line of fans.


Joe (Rock and Roll Guru) had interviewed Davy earlier in the day and confirmed that he is the authentically nice person he seems to be.  I serioulsy doubt that fame will rob him of that as it does to some musicians.

Joe and Drew

To top off a great night, Joe introduced Drew and I to Davy so I got to shake his hand and say hello.  I admit, it was a thrill.  The kid is adorable and sweet in addition to being a kick ass guitarist.  I also had the pleasure of meeting his manager and hopefully will stay connected with him to keep all of you up to date on when and where to catch Davy and Back Door Slam. 

Get this - he is going on tour with and opening for CHICKENFOOT this Fall.  I know there are some serious Chickenfoot fans that read here.  Let me know what you think of Davy and BDS, I'll be shocked if you don't walk away impressed.

I will never forget this show.  I will never forget the woman who sat next to me who enjoyed the show as much as I did (hello!  I didn't get your name! the pics I took didn't turn out too great).  Lastly,  I will never forget how meeting Davy was a reminder of meeting SVR - both guitar greats.

On a personal note...I fly home to California tomorrow, but next year, I am headed back to Milwaukee for Summerfest.  If you've never been you're missing out!

My first time at SUMMERFEST!

Summerfest is incredible. Its the BIGGEST rock and roll show ANYWHERE and I can imagine spending an entire week there. Too tired to describe it but check out their website to get a feel for it....

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE these two women! Just got back from another great performance by two of the queens of rock and roll (imo there are very few women that can claim that title, it belongs to Janis, Chrissie and the Wilson sisters).

Not only was it a great show, but I got to sit between two guys who are passionate about music, Drew (my honey and the reason that I am here in Wisconsin) and Joe, the fantabulously groovy rock and roll writer and blogger extraordinaire.

It was great to meet Joe (aka Rock and Roll Guru). He is exactly the same in person as he is on his blog - full of life, fun, interesting and a down to earth great guy.

Ann and Nancy kicked ass as usual. Those two only get better with age. I love them! Ann's voice is exceptional. She's managed to keep her voice strong all these years. Not a single note was less than perfect. And Nancy is so fun to watch....she plays with her own style and sense of fun. I hope they keep rockin for years to come.

They did one of their new songs during the encore. It hasn't been released yet and I can't remember the name of it, but they dedicated it to "Michael" and I assumed they were referring to Michael Jackson. To read a very moving story about Stevie Wonder's performance and tribute to Michael last night at Summerfest, see Joe's post here.

Tomorrow night its back for more great music, we will be seeing Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam. In fact, I may even get to meet Davy, should I tell him I chose his band as the number one new band of 2008? Can not wait to hear him play/sing.

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam "Coming Up for Air" Review

YES! My new favorite rockin blues band has a new CD coming out on June 16. Got my review copy today (thank you, Sharon Weiss, at W3 PR!) I've been listening to it for the last couple of hours and its great. Produced by none other than the talented Mr. Peter Frampton.

Right now "Hear Me Lord" is playing - written by George Harrison. I believe its the only song on the CD that is not an original. "Amber's Song" is so pretty and sad. The whole CD is great. I am not disappointed. I think there first one will remain my favorite but they came through again the second time around.

"After a brief break from two years of non-stop touring, Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam is back with a new album produced by Peter Frampton and mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Coming Up For Air, a smorgasbord of rockers and acoustic ballads, includes Davy s and Peter s dueling guitar solos on George Harrison s anthem, Hear Me Lord, and an extraordinary bonus track duet with Jonatha Brooke of her Taste of Danger. The album is built around nine Davy originals (two co-written with Peter Frampton). Highlights include rockers Tear Down The Walls and Riverbed and the soulful Can t Take This Back. After a three week solo stint opening for Jeff Beck in April, Davy and the band are hitting the road again in support of this album."

Geez, I really don't want to give this copy away - you're gonna have to buy your own this time, its worth it!!!!

I hope to maybe catch these guys this summer....my fingers are crossed.

Back Door Slam - Live From Bonnaroo

It's no secret that my favorite NEW BAND from last year was "Back Door Slam". Sadly they dispersed after one recording together, but lucky for their fans there is a new CD out of their performance at the Bonnaroo in '08. There are some great songs on the new CD, I highly recommend it and have a copy to give away. I will do a drawing of names on Sunday the 17th to let you know who wins, so if you'd like it leave your name in the comments.


Outside Woman Blues (Live Version)

Heavy On My Mind (Live Version)

Gotta Leave (Live Version)

Riding With The King (Live Version)

Almost Cut My Hair (Live Version)

Come Home (Live Version)

Back Door Slam (Live Version)

It'll All Come Around (Live Version)

Redhouse (Live Version)

Been Down So Long (Live Version)

Davy Knowles - Good News, Bad News

My favorite new band of 2008 was Back Door Slam. The first time I heard Davy Knowles sing (knowing he was only a kid) I was blown away! I hadn't been that impressed by a new artist since...well, since I heard Jonny Lang for the first time (no offense to Jonny, I love him, but I think Davy's got a rare talent that we don't see often).

Sadly, the band broke up recently. That's the bad news.

The good news is that Davy will continue his career as a solo artist and has been has been recording new material in Los Angeles with none other than Peter Frampton producing. And he's going on tour opening for Jeff Beck beginning April 6 in Scranton, PA.

Be looking for a review of BACK DOOR SLAM—LIVE FROM BONNAROO—a double vinyl album that I will be receiving from Blix Street. Can't wait for that!

The Ripple Effect on the Radio, with special guest...me!

I just got off the air with Pope, Racer and Boston - the guys from the The Ripple Effect blog - one of the best music blogs on-line.

When they asked me to be a guest on their show I was flattered but scared....me, on the radio? NO WAY! I would make an @ss of myself, I'm a "written-word" kinda girl. But how could I turn down a request from these musical connoisseurs? I admire their ability to FIND GREAT MUSIC plus they are so funny and, underneath the humor, very professional with their show.

"Catch the best music you're not listening to on the Ripple Effect. Now every other week on internet radio. Wednesday night 9 pm Ripple (pacific) time. Hit button for details."

So thanks, guys, it was so much fun and you helped me through!

They asked me to bring three songs for them to play and I chose:

"Songs for Boys" by U2 off their first album "Boy"
"Come Home" by Back Door Slam off their first (and only so far) album
"Suddenly Wonderful" by MIGGS, one of my favorite bands that you may have never heard of...yet

I had so much fun talking to those guys. If you want to discover new music their blog is a great place to go to read reviews and the radio show is an excellent place to hear their weekly selections.

The guys said some incredibly generous things about my blog and compared it to a local bar where people stopped in after work to say hi, chat with each other and see what was new. I can't think of a higher compliment! THANKS AGAIN FOR HAVING ME!

TRUE CONFESSIONS:
Just listened to the interview - I don't like how I came across when they complimented my blog...I was stunned by their kind words and trying not to sound all emotional (a typical response for me) so instead I came across kind of BLAH like "oh thanks, guys". I will learn for next time to not THINK, to just BE and hopefully it will go better. :)

Back Door Slam

Was listening to the radio today and heard this song by these guys. The lead vocals/guitar is only 21 years old but seems to have an "old soul". If you like rockin blues check them out, you will hear the Robert Cray/Clapton influence. Must have this album!