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It all started with Aztec Two-Step playing for us at a local restaurant. Or did it?
It was back in 1980 something when my brother told me about a little venue on Tate Street in Greensboro. He knew I really dug the blues so he wanted me to know that Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters band mate) was going to play at Nightshade Cafe’. My brother Allen was unable to make the trip for some reason so Larry Chattin offered for me to ride with him ( I was blind at the time).
The show was simply amazing. The venue had a good feel. It was packed. There were no seats. Even though I couldn’t see I could feel the crowd. It was electrifying. Everyone was dancing - with no one in particular I might add.
After a few more trips to Nightshade Cafe’ I began to dream. I dreamed of having the same quality (non-top 40) musicians play here in Danville.
It was December 17, 1986 that Bob Margolin played at the Tobacco Exchange. I remember the date because it was three days before Shannon and I were married. We celebrated the occasion by having an open party at the Tobacco Exchange.
Joining Bob onstage was Mark Weiner (harmonica player and vocalist) of the Nighthawks. It was an awesome and eventful night for sure. The venue was overflowing. At times there was a line 50 folks long waiting to get in. I guess it’s safe to say this now, but there were over 500 (200 more than occupancy limits allowed) folks listening to Bob and his band play.
During that time I was also hitting the various clubs where blues was the focus.
I had heard about this little club in Greensboro just off of ______. It was approaching New Years and we were looking for a place to enjoy some good vibrations and libations for New Years eve I grabbed a copy of ESP Magazine (Remember that?) and starting persuing the venue section. I came across the name of a band that sounded interesting. Big Bump and the Stun Gunz. That’s all it took. I was going. I really didn’t care what type of music they played - I had to see this band based on the name alone. After further research I found out that another band was playing at the club that night as well. Carlos Morlales was the guitar player in that band. Carlos went on to become the guitar player for Julian Lennon.
The show was great. Big Bump (Bubba Klinefelter) and the Stun Gunz were simply amazing. Chuck “100%” Cotton was on the drums and _____ was on bass- a dynamic trio that I got to know quite well. While Carlos was a guitar slinger of sorts and his band was as tight as could be I felt the vibe that the Gunz laid down. I went to see them every chance I got. It wasn’t long before I had them play in Danville. They played the Tobacco Exchange first then several other venues
Did I mention Aztec Two-Step way back ...up there somewhere? Well my brother-in-law Drew was telling me about this band he was really into back when he was in College. He loaned me a cd or was it an album? Whatever it was I really liked what I heard. Ahhh... it was a cd because I remember looking on the back to look at the song titles and there staring me straight in the face was the booking information. Yep - I made a call to the number and...
More... to come...
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