It’s a song that goes like this: “My pappy said, ‘Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ if you don’t stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln.’” Cue the guitars.
Chances are baby boomers who hear the opening line above will have their brains immediately follow with the world famous boogie-woogie guitar line played by Bill Kirchen of Commander Cody fame.
It is easily one of the most recognizable guitar parts of all time, and the man who invented it will be at Evergreen Theatre in Powell River Recreation Complex on Friday, April 22, as part of the inspired collaborative six-string-slingers concert entitled A Mighty String Thing.
“The String Thing isn’t going to be a serious, staid show like so many of the guitar-in-the-round tours,” says co-organizer Doug Cox, also one of the show’s performers. “We are going to have some fun!”
Austin, Texas’ Kirchen will be there along with Nashville, Tennessee’s Mark Stuart, who has toured as guitarist for Steve Earle, Stacey Earle, Steve Forbert and Freddy Fender, among others.
The show will also feature four Canadian guitarists, including string genius Kevin Breit, whose musical talents have landed him stints with everyone from k.d. lang to Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Lou Reed and Celine Dion, among others.
Montreal’s Cécile Doo-Kingué has been compared to Tracy Chapman and T-Bone Walker; she’s a masterful blues guitarist and a stunning singer/songwriter who is finally starting to gain notice worldwide as one of Canada’s great talents. This show will be her debut performance in this area.
Rounding out the String Thing group are two local area players whose careers have seen them jam with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. From stints with Long John Baldry to hosting a jam in New York City in the hazy ‘60s, Cumberland, BC’s Doug Cox and Powell River’s Sam Hurrie have both had very colourful careers and are excited to add A Mighty String Thing to their lists of musical experiences.
“The point of the String Thing is for us all to get together and have fun on stage,” says Cox, “trading licks and sharing songs along with stories.”
Tickets for the show are available at Rockit Music (6820 Alberni Street).
A Mighty String Thing
When: 7:30 pm, Friday, April 22
Where: Evergreen Theatre
Price: $30
Info: 604.485.2891, mightystringthing.com
