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First it was a gate way drug, an email from Alligator Records, informing me that I could just try it once, and not get hurt, harmed, hooked, or held up. Simple enough, I'd give it a try, last September, after a day long visit to the fair, loaded on elephant ears, corn, soda, and drenched from the rain, trying to spare myself and wife from having our kids spend the rest of the evening with us and our unknown venture for the night. We foisted our boys onto our friends and knew that they would be in good hands, if for some reason we were unable to return back to them in a state, that would be of value to their upbringing. After, leaving the fair, we headed home , cleaned up a bit, and headed to a local club to check out this JJ Grey & Mofro. On Alligator's website, I first gave alisten and thought about the subtle influences that I detected, then I went to the band's website, and was suprised to see who was singing, as in at first, due to the soulful nature of the voice and music, I envisioned that JJ was..... not white, as in "white guys can't jump". Not that race matters I thought, but if this guy can play/and sing with that much soul, and his band can too, I must take this all in live, given the chance. It was like seeing Johnny Lang for the first time, at 16 yrs. of age, how in the hell, could a kid not only play like he did, but where in the hell did he experience the blues, to be able to sing with that much emotion and play the guitar as purposeful to match. Hell, what happend, I first thought about Johnny Lang, Stevie Ray Vaughn died and there was a soul transfer..... or what? JJ Grey, and his band know of what they sing and play. It was like going to a black church on Sunday, cause if you weren't compelled to move while soaking in those notes and words, something was wrong....with you. Some guys can play, some guys can sing,some guys can write, but few can do all three and make it work wit as much emotion,feeling and sense of where the come from, and then be able to tell you the story.
It was just the beginning, that night almost a year ago, from then it was getting to talk with JJ and some guys after the show, an autograph, some CDs, a couple more show, some autographed "Dolls",some more photos, then there would be the prized autographed Epiphone SG Special electric guitar autographed by JJ and courtsey of Alligator, Madison House, as well as Gibson Guitars, for which deepend the addiction.
Could it get any better than this? Yes. And it did at the Winthrop Blues Festival in July, up front again, with the wife and friends, talking up a storm about JJ Grey & Mofro to strangers, converting and convincing them if you will. Then, th summer was capped off by getting to see them one more time, with the family,friends, and making more. All fans. Only to get the chance to show my boys some talent, let them experience what we know, and hopefully get them strung out on some good stuff too. Don't even get me started on the opportunity to feed these guys, watch friends and family get a chance to hang for a few minutes with them, and only know that there has got to be more great things to come from JJ Grey & Mofro's music.
Back in late 2007 I was a bit frustrated with music - I was just uninspired, nothing new got me off. I knew I had to branch out a bit to find some interesting stuff, some independent artists. Knew they were out there, just didn't know where to find them. Then one day I'm looking up some stuff on Marc Ford and find him on the same bill as MOFRO at the Belly Up. And that he's OPENING for them. I thought, if Ford's opening for these guys they've gotta know their shit.
So on new Year's Day 2008 I gave Country Ghetto a chance. After one listen I thought it was okay. Then i found the boys on the archive and downloaded a show from Ashville that they closed with Harp & Drums. That song blew my mind, then I listened to Country Ghetto a few dozen more times and saw how great it really was. Within a month i had the other three albums, and I haven't looked back since... Well, that is, until now...
---------- "You know, you know, you know, what I'm talkin' about!"
I think I can speak here for Sue Webb and I both when I say it was at the CHURCH known as Skipper's Smokehouse, about 1 minute into the FIRST live Mofro song we EVER heard...Brighter Days. We both looked at each other like, "WTF have we gotten ourselves into?"! And to quote Brother JD, "Shit ain't been the same since".
These men bring joy into our lives on a daily basis and we are grateful for each and every one of them...including George, Scone and all the ones before and after. Mofro IS music and music IS life.
Ain't no party like a MOFRO party cause a MOFRO party don't stop.................
ES
---------- "Now if you happened to come down here tonight...and you don't wanna hear the person next to you sang, and you don't want'em to dance, cause you might spill your drink, you came to the wrong show in the wrong venue."
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 10:25 PM
hey, there's a subject under the first drop-down menue called "when did you first see the boys live" there are some more great stories from other folks on this board about their first mofro experience
good and fun stuff in there!!! ---------- "Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." -Nietzsche
My buddy from San Francisco told me back in '02 about a band from my neck of the woods that had been tearing it up out there... funny I had never heard of them and heres a guy from Cali tellin me whats up. Anyway, saw a show at the Freebird later that year and, well, "shit aint been the same since"
tearing it up is right...that show from San Fran 2-22-02 is an instant classic... ---------- "Now if you happened to come down here tonight...and you don't wanna hear the person next to you sang, and you don't want'em to dance, cause you might spill your drink, you came to the wrong show in the wrong venue."
September of 2006 we had some folks from Florida visiting our little holler. And Gregg, always interested in hearing new/different music asked if they had anything they wanted to play. They put on "Blackwater" down by the far pit, and I was too busy gabbing and watching the kids to take a listen.
The next week or so I was home (while the kids were in school) to steam clean awl the carpets in the house. Gregg (he works at home) said that the band Mofro is playing the Orange Peel next month and would I like to go. Gregg had made a copy of "Blackwater" and put in on my iPOD. I tell you that I didn't even get through the title track, I paused the music and open his door to his office and said Get the tickets!
That October 2006 was my first live Mofro show, and I have never ever walked away from a concert EVER with what I walked away with that night! I was truly amazed with the energy that band put out. It was a spiritual moment for us and Gregg said, and I quote "That was the best concert I have ever seen! Hands Down!". and that is saying alot. and over the last 3 years my knowledge and admiration have grown for all the members past and present and I am sure it will continue. The music of JJ Grey & Mofro has now become a part of my daily life and I love that!!
:o) ---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
A nurse that I work with had seen them years ago when they played a tiny club in Bloomington that her brother in law owned. She raved about them, but I never gave them a chance. I saw that they were going to be playing a slightly bigger club about two years ago, so I went. Holy Shite. I was blown away. I've seen ALOT of live music, but their show is hands down the most fun I've ever had at a show. I've only seen them 4 times since, but I will not miss them again. Truly life changing. I can't believe that they aren't playing larger venues.
