Scott Bomar & Howard Grimes

I swear, everytime I sit down with Howard Grimes, I learn something new about him. This time, he told me about how he played drums on Carla Thomas' Gee Whiz record. Also, he brought along Scott Bomar of the Bo-Keys.

You'll also hear some of the music they collaborated on over the years including one of the tracks from Cyndi Lauper she did with B.B. King.



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NEXT WEEK: The Italian Job & The Juke Joint Allstars

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The Architects of Memphis Music

History is a fun subject for me. Especially when you get the opportunity to talk to those who actively created iconic historical moments. Howard Grimes, Percy & Spencer Wiggins did just that. In this episode, Jeff and I sat down with these three gentlemen to learn about the very early days of that Memphis sound, where it came from and how it happened.

Also, you'll learn what it was like for African-American performers who worked the road and studios to bring that special sound to homes around the world.



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NEXT WEEK: Harold Beane steps off The Mothership

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An Evening with Howard Grimes

This episode is a little over 2 hours. Frankly, it is pretty much at the upper limit I think most shows like this should be. Having said that, the conversation at hand here is one of the more remarkable conversations I had been involved with.

Dianna Fryer joined the conversation and she was able to get Howard to tell some really beautiful stories. You are also going to hear a bunch fantastic stories about creating "that Memphis sound". Some very funny moments and some truly touching times are all reflected here in this episode.



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My thanks to Mark Caldwell from The Memphis Blues Society for making this moment happen.

NEXT WEEK: Watermelon Slim

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Toni Green, Howard Grimes and John Gary Williams Talk About Willie Mitchell

Sometimes we get very lucky. This is one of those times. There was a very special evening that was captured at Radio Memphis when these three sat down with Jeff and I to talk about their work with Willie Mitchell. To hear legendary artists and entertainers talk about the creation of their work with this producer was an incredible experience.

I thought of breaking this down in to a two part piece however, I found the conversation to be rather compelling and it would have killed the vibe to rudely interrupt this chat. So, we left it pretty much intact.

I say "pretty much" because this was edited for time. It is a long listen, so get comfortable and enjoy this fantastic moment about making music, how to do it right and working with a man that put hits on records all over the world.



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NEXT WEEK: Grammy nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside.

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Howard Grimes - Part 2

Not much to expand on here. This is the second half of the conversation I had with Howard Grimes along with Jeff Janovetz and Mark Caldwell as it happened live on Radio Memphis.

There is a story in here Howard tells that will send chills down your spine. Fantastic stuff in this one.

If you haven't heard the first part of this conversation, check out last week's first.



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NEXT WEEK: How about a drink?

Howard Grimes - Part 1

Howard Grimes

When the phone rings and it's Mark Caldwell offering you one of the true legends of Memphis Music, you say, "Yes, please." and that is exactly how it happened. We happened to have a hole in our schedule for the Booze & Blues show on Radio Memphis and like that, Howard was in Studio B talking to Mark, Jeff Janovetz and myself.

Howard is a remarkable guy and a tremendous drummer. He started working at 12 with Rufus Thomas and got his first studio work at 14. He's still going strong.

In this first part of a two part series with Mr. Grimes, we talk the early days of Memphis music and we play some of the stuff from those days. This is an education on the history of the music from this town from a world wide known session guy.

A little note here regarding this episode. There is some music played in its entirety and was used courtesy of Howard Grimes with full permission.



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NEXT WEEK: Howard Grimes - Part 2

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