JosephBurke.com

Appalachian Blues & Soul

// August 4th, 2010 // Joe's Blog

It’s often times rare to see a true form of self expression these days, but one individual in the small foothills of Appalachia has chosen to let his voice and his guitar be the vehicle of song. Combing the blues influences of legendary Robert Johnson and even Howlin’ Wolf, sprinkle in a little grittiness from Bob Dylan and John Prine and you get a concoction destined for talent.

T-bone is unlike any musician/vocalist I’ve ever met, encountered or had the pleasure of listening to. His raw talents stem from his his passion for music and the blues, and that energy is conveyed to audiences on stage when he performs live. From his sultry tunes like “Up On My Feet” and “After All” that will have crowds dancing and clapping to the rhythmic melodies and soulful tunes like “Let It Go” and “Oh No” they all have a place in the life and person behind the title T-bone. His passion for nostalgia and the love of the blues resonates in every song he performs live on stage.

Mid October, 2008, cold nights outside just before the briskness of Winter, on Main Street in downtown Whitesburg, KY is where many performers came to share their craft at Summit City Lounge. One could hear the raw uncut melodies of T-bone echoing out onto the streets of downtown Whitesburg during Wednesday night “Open Mic.” T-bone, along several others got their notoriety performing on the Summit City stage. It just seemed like his music fit the mood and vibe and what everyone in the lounge was feeling at that moment, at that very time. His music not only connects with people, but it makes you stop, listen and think about your own walk in life. To quote one of my favorite T-Bone compositions, “Take me, down the riverside, dip my head in, cool me off, black snake is coiled around the tree again, watch your step now, too late. My Sins they’re sinking to the bottom below, the Devil’s waitin’, back on the shore.” The meaning and depth of his music can have multiple interpretations, and ultimately it’s up to us to decide on what it all means.

It has been an honor knowing, working with and performing on stage with T-bone, and if you’ve ever had the opportunity to see him perform live on stage, you’ll know exactly what this all means. He just isn’t another would be performer, T-bone has lived the life, dove down into the miry pits and come to the surface to write and sing about it. Check out my friend coming up at the Russell County Fair in Castlewood, VA this September 7th, 2010. The fiar runs Sept. 3-11, and features some of the greatest talents from all genres of music. Support your local music festival, go out, enjoy life in song! You won’t be disappointed.

Joseph Burke,
Orlando, FL
(formerly of Neon, KY)

Tbone on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/tbonemusic009
http://www.myspace.com/scratchrivertelegraph
http://www.myspace.com/thebenwaysmusic