 |
 |
 |
 So I was up in San Raphael or some such place up north of San Franciso to work on a new Cray album. When we gathered that first day for rehearsals I knew all the guys...Karl,Tim Kihatsu was in the band then, of course Kevin Hayes, Cray I’d known since he was a child it seems, but this big fella standing over the keyboards with a smile like a vulture about to snatch up a lip smacking double cheese burger off the highway I’d only heard of Jim Pugh at that time...all...very...very...very good.
I had heard he was the best B3 man in the whole state, if not the world. I’d heard he could somehow play twelve notes with just ten fingers. I’d heard he played a groove so low down and nasty one time in Tiburon he’d been banned and escorted out of the city. But I hadn’t heard how big the man, this Jim Pugh, was. Hmmm?? I’m thinking.
So anyway the boys set up and they play me a few bits and pieces of tunes they’ve sorta written...I think Cray had one complete tune, but it didn’t have a bridge...Tim might have had something finished but wasn’t particularly good...Cray had another riff he played, like, about four bars of and said...well maybe you can write some lyrics to this. The guys are all looking at me like ok you won those two grammys fact is a sledge hammer wearing a derby hat could have won two Grammy’s with Cray fella playing and singing.
I rubbed my chin in thought and looked up at their expectant faces and said, " We got some work to do...but first lets play some basketball...and I get the big man."
It was marriage made in heaven. I was quick and had a great shot and Pugh was huge and could rebound like Moses Malone. Two on two we kicked everyone’s ass every day to where Cray finally came to me and said, "I’ll trade you Kevin Hayes for Pugh and give you four hundred thousand dollars." Hmmm? I’m thinking...Last thing I need is more money. What I do need is a keyboard man that can not only play "Ornithology" but goes to the board."
All that’s forgotten today. Me and Pugh had our time and place on the court and were overwhelming winners. Since then, on a more personal level, I’ve won a few and lost a few. Jim’s been a constant winner.
He don’t drink or smoke or do any sort of drug. He’s been married to the same woman, the beautiful Deborah, all these years and they’ve raised four great kids. He’s played with Cray and produced Cray and written for Cray and in his spare time still plays with Etta James on occasion. That’s some pretty tall corn right there. But it’s just the tip of the niblet.
He produces gospel records in his spare time and does organ parts over the internet for folks in Omaha and Bisby and Missoula and New Iberia and Hamburg and Scottsdale...and like...still has the time to come on down to Burbank and be the Dawwg he is. Thank you, Jesus.
So you get the picture? I love this man and I admire this man. Ain’t anything else what you might call your irrelevancy?
Jim Pugh Quote:
I was born September 26, 1954 in Amsterdam, N.Y. and was raised near Chicago. I have been married to the beautiful Deborah for 25 years. We have 4 children, Jesse, Austin, Jane and William and a collie named Hudson.
Being a father of four and playing in 'The Robert Cray Band' can be confusing. I'm part Ward Cleaver (Leave It To Beaver) - part Groove Holmes. Sometimes I get mixed up and play organ like Ward and talk to my kids like Groove.
In my career I have performed with Johnny Taylor, Little Milton and Otis Rush, recorded with Etta James and B.B. King, have produced Robert Cray, The Gospel Hummingbirds and tommy Castro, and my songs have been performed by Robert Cray Tower Of Power and Guitar Shorty. I have been a member of 'The Robert Cray Band' since 1989.
Three people I was thrilled to have met: Count Basie, Shirley Muldowney and Fidel Castro. Music I listen to: Gene Ammons, Merle Haggard and The Dixie Hummingbirds.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
