Hey there M.G.D.,

'Preciate the compliment and I'm real glad that you're going to exlpore your own style. Driving home today I heard a guy on our local blues radio station trying to sing just like Howlin' Wolf. Well the harp sounded good because that guy was showing some originality and creativity but the singing guy just sounded kind of silly. Hey he was probably having a blast but he wasn't really creative and didn't really express himself. Instead he expressed what he thought he "should" sound like.

When I play, I know there's some Fred McDowell licks, some Son House, some Bukka, a little Elmore and some R.J. but I tend to reflect my youth and sound a little like Jimmy Page's accoustic stuff. Or so I'm told?!? I don't try to sound "like" anybody because I don't feel very worthy of copying them. I don't know their experience, I cant. I don't have the same point of referance becasue the world is a very different place now and I sure don't want no '30s type depression to come along and teach me either!!!!

I'm ramblin on

Once again this is just one frustrated blues guy's opinion. What ever keeps the blues alive is good even if you want to sound just like Robert Johnson. By the way, if you do end up sounding like R.J. please call me up, I'll be the first to buy a ticket!

Gene