Bman's Blues Report: James 'Buddy' Rogers - My Guitar's My Only Friend

Monday, November 12, 2012

James 'Buddy' Rogers - My Guitar's My Only Friend

James 'Buddy' Rogers
New CD My Guitar's My Only Friend

In the few short months since its release, British Columbia blues guitarist James 'Buddy' Rogers' new CD My Guitar's My Only Friend has been getting regular airplay and admirable reviews from critics in Canada and USA, as well as regular positions on the Roots Music Report charts.

Here is what some critics had to say:

"It is clear he has a passion for the blues. Listen to any of the instrumental portions of the songs and that is instantly recognizable. His guitar playing is stalwart and reminiscent of his blues heroes. He can write a blues tune; that becomes indisputable when listening to the title track. The album is solid and worth a second or third listen." - Blues Rock Review

"My Guitar's My Only Friend" was my first intro to James "Buddy" Rogers, and what a great intro is was, one that truly had me not only becoming an instant fan but also has me really looking forward to more of his music in the future, but for now, I am pretty glad I have this little treasure to listen to" - John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network

"You would you be able to play these songs even 50 years ago. You can feel every moment. He has found his voice and his place in the blues tradition. When he plays his guitar, your questions are answered." - Wasser Prawada (Germany)

My Guitar's My Only Friend has been added to Radio Submit for programmers and stations to download for broadcast.

About James 'Buddy' Rogers:

Most blues musicians can proudly recall their age and stage in life when they received their introduction to blues music. It is a coming of age in a sense – before the blues and after the blues. For Vancouver’s James ‘Buddy’ Rogers, life as he knew it was inherently different after discovering the blues.

James ‘Buddy’ Rogers learned to love the blues close to home. His dad, Bud worked for the railroad and often brought home records and a guitar and by the time little Buddy was 10 he was lifting licks. By 11 he’d formed a band and started gigging. Within two years he was a regular at local blues clubs. At 15 his band Texas Storm was being booked by Canada’s top agency for opening concert slots. “My dad went to the liquor control board and got a license that he would take to bars so I could legally play there. I began playing shows sitting in with all the great blues guys around Vancouver back then. The ones that really stand out, who took me under their wing, so to speak were the late Muddy Fraser, Tom and Jack Lavin, Jim Byrnes and Russell Jackson. These guys always invited me out to play with them and open for them.” Rogers recalls.

At the age of 19, Rogers teamed up with former B.B. King bassist Russell Jackson and began tour that lasted five years. Based in Kansas City, they played an endless string of clubs, concerts and festivals sharing the bill with Canned Heat, Sam Taylor, The Holmes Brothers, Elvin Bishop, Kenny Neal, Katie Webster and countless others. In 2000 Buddy started his own band and played blues clubs across Canada and Europe. When he wasn’t working under his own name he appeared on US tours and recordings with many other blues acts.

James ‘Buddy’ Rogers main influences on guitar - Johnny Watson, Jimmie Vaughan and the three Kings - plus years of being a blues road warrior have helped shape him into one of the most inventive and penetrating blues guitarists performing today.

His new CD My Guitar’s My Only Friend was produced by Tom Lavin of Powder Blues fame and features 10 songs written by Lavin and Rogers.
This CD showcases a guitar and voice forged by a life in the blues. James ‘Buddy’ Rogers; his blues is here to stay.