Sometimes you have to take a step back and ask yourself
"What is it that I want to do with my life? What makes me happy?"
I was having one of those soul searching moments, standing on a balcony in Puerto Vallarta, looking out at the beautiful blue water of the Baja and wondering what to do with my musical life.
I asked myself "1. What music do I listen to? 2. What would I do if I just wanted to make myself happy? 3. Who do I want to play with?"
The answers floated into my mind direct from my heart:
First, I LOVE Billy F. Gibbons! I love his playing, his style and the irreverant, uapologetic humor and self revelation that pervades his music. I listen to ZZ Top, and Billy's solo projects, as much or more than I listen to any other music.
Second, I want to play Billy's music! I want to dive deep into his style and play these crazy party songs! As I studied them I found the gamut of subjects covered, crazy time signatures, wild arrangement ideas and I fell more and more in love with this music!
Third, I want to play with people that I have fun with. On a whim I messaged Janet Cramer, a great drummer/percussionist I've known for a couple decades. I'd toured with her and always we always had a blast. I also messaged bassist Heather Tackett-Faludo. She's been playing with Super Chikan for 19 years and played with AC Reed and Eddie Clearwater before that. Both women are seriously professional, but really fun too.
I told them I was forming a band, calling it Tres Amigas, and that we'd cover the music of ZZ TOP, would they like to join the band? Both of them said "YES!"
Months of hard work, rehearsals fit in between all our busy schedules, and thousands of have laughs later, we're finally going to do our first gig!
It's a combined birthday party for our band, Tres Amigas, Heather and Me. December 22 @House of Blues Chicago we're celebrating a great time with 10 ZZ TOP songs, 10 Liz Mandeville originals and some great tunes from our special guest, guitarist Jack Whittle. Come check us out!
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