Croatia is rockin' Livin' My Best Life! Check out the review from Sound Guardian!

Check out the awesome review of Livin’ My Best Life by Croatian writer, Mladen Loncar, of Sound Guardian. He is also my favorite DJ in Croatia. Hvala ti prijatelju. Pustite glasno glazbu, Mike! Click HERE to check out Sound Guardian and for those of you would do not read Croatian, the English translation is below.

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Ovih malo više od 42' svakom tko imalo naginje i voli istinski rock n' blues, album "Livin’ My Best Life" bez obzira na sve biti će vrlo fokusirani predmet vašeg zanimanja. Preko CherryBurst Records ovaj album je i službeno objavljen prije dva tjedna u vlastitom aranžmanu, apsolutno vanserijskog glazbenika Rockyja Athasa.

Malo tko nije čuo za ovog doista izvrsnog gitaristu, koji ima jako puno atributa poput "Texas Tornado", "Malice from Dallas", "Young Eric Clapton" i "The Last Great Bluesbreaker Guitarist". Naravno, sve ovo ukazuje nam na činjenicu i priču da ovdje, na ovom albumu nema šale, nema praznog hoda, već da nam se onako iz prve ruke sva ona Texas furrka doslovno prolama iz zvučnika i pronalazi nas .. i što je jako bitno ostavlja nas bez teksta, jer svako malo ostajemo doista zatečeni onime što čujemo!

Rocky Athas nudi nam pravu paletu žestokih gitarskih rifova i zaraznih potezanja na gitari, čiji tonovi, čiji zvuk otvara doslovno sva vrata. Rocky ništa, ali doista ništa ne prepušta slučaju,već dapače vrlo precizno, vrlo nadahnuto i razbacano u vaša glazbena bića unosi onaj svima poznat nemir i osjećaj da smo na pravoj strani.

Kada se sjetim, koliko sam uživao u njegovoj gitari slušajući je na Mayallovom live i studijskom albumu "A Special Life" sadržava Rockyjeve zvjezdane gitarističke izvedbe i trenutke, što je pak navelo Neila Spencera iz Uncut Magazina da visoko pohvali novi rad i to izvučeno iz konteksta zvuči na slijedeći način:"... whose guitarist, Rocky Athas, resembles a young Eric Clapton". Ova činjenica govori sve jer u tim godina bez obzira što svira sve je optočeno bluesom i blues je uvijek bio ono što je Clapton želio svirati.

Slično se događa i s Rockyjem i to razdoblje definitivno je obilježilo njegovu profesionalnu karijeru. Naime, biti na turneji i svirati s Mayallom ne može si priskrbiti nitko tko sve, sav taj osjećaj i ozračje nema u malom prstu i upravo zato samo odabrani mogu svirati s istinskom blues legendom. Naravno, Athas je ispunio sve kriterije i upravo zato je i mogao biti dio te priče. Kasnije ili istovremeno Rocky radi i svoje solo albume i snima ono što voli, ono što mu daje prostora da se izrazi kao kompletni glazbenik a ne samo kao vanserijski gitarist.

"Livin’ My Best Life" dugo je očekivani nastavak nakon "Shakin' The Dust" i one boleštine, koja je zaustavila svijet.

"Livin’ My Best Life" uključuje Rockyjevu "smokin' hot" posvetu Jeffu Becku i Peteru Greenu te jednu klasičnu izvedbu Johna Mayalla na usnjaku.

Od 2017. kada se ponovo susreo s Grammyjevcem Jimom Gainesom i radom na albumu "Shakin' The Dust" pokrenuo je cijeli taj pozitivni krug ili ciklus, koji traje i dan danas. Nakon Mayallovih Bluesbreakersa Rocky je pokrenuo doista respektabilnu solo karijeru i tu je i danas.

A svi znamo Texas rock n' blues je uvijek bila dobitna formula i stil i ozračje, koje nikoga neće ostaviti ravnodušnim.

A valja i ovo napisati: u dobi od 23 godine, ovaj tada mladić rodom iz Oak Cliffa, je faca kojeg Buddy Magazine uključuje u već sada legendarni popis deset najboljih gitarista. Upravo je Rocky jedan od prvih i najmlađih, koji je dobio tu čast. Tijekom vremena, Rocky je dijelio tu čast uz Eric Johnsona, Jimmie i S.R, Vaughana, Billy Gibbons (iz ZZtopa) i Johnny Wintera. Mnogi znaju za njegovo prijateljstvo s legendarnim i nažalost pokojnim Stevie Ray Vaughanom, obojica su iz Oak Cliffa, a Rocky je iznimno ponosan na njihove zajedničke korijene i njihovo prijateljstvo. Voli spominjati ono razdoblje kada nisu bili svjetski poznati i uvijek potiče da su bili izuzetno obični i pristupačni dečki iz susjedstva i da ih slava nije promijenila u tom smislu. Cijela ova priča i što se mene osobno dodiruje upravo to dokazuje. Naime, nakon naše već dugogodišnje suradnje Rocky sam sve podiže na još veću razinu i cijela ova priča dobiva itekako značajne konotacije. Osobno sam vrlo sretan i ponosan što je to baš tako!

Rocky se sprijateljio s producentom Jimom Gainesom, dobitnikom nagrade Grammy, koji je radio znamo sve i sa Santanom, Steveom Millerom, Journeyem i Steviejem Ray Vaughanom, a 2003. proglašen Blues producentom godine. Njihovo prijateljstvo je sazrelo i otišlo na još veću razinu a nakon njegovog nastupnog albuma "Miracle", kojeg je producirao Jim. Uslijedila je ponuda, koju nije mogao odbiti: John Mayall, kultni "Godfather of British blues", zamolio ga je da svira gitaru na njegovom sljedećem albumu. Rocky je bio počašćen ovim priznanjem za svoju vještinu i s neskrivenim oduševljenjem pridružio se Mayallovim legendarnim The Bluesbreakersima, gdje su svoj obol ostavili i dali i Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood i Mick Taylor. Bio dio te ekipe doista je fantastičan i ogroman uspjeh, a Rockyjeva svirka naravno, da nije prošla nezapaženo. Guitar Player Magazine je napisao da je Rocky "izuzetni veteran teksaški "gunslinger" s opakim tonom i nadasve respektabilnom i uspješnom solo karijerom."Sve ovo itekako je imalo utjecaja i na ovaj novi studijski album, kojem je Rocky dao svojom produkcijom potpuni smisao i učinio je i tu priču doista posebnom. A u tome su mu pripomogli:Jared Watson ( gitara , vokal), njegov sin Rocky Athas II (bas gitara), Walter Watson (bubnjevi, vokal). Uz njih tu su još bili: Ruf Rufner ( klavijature), Charlie Ferguson (klavijature "Sad Affairs"), John Mayall ( usna hramonka "Long Grey Mare") i Jessica Athas (klavijature "Only In My Dreams")

Preporuka

Svi mi i svi oni koji znaju o čemu se radi definitivno neće propustiti priliku da uživaju uz odličnu glazbu, sjajan i raspaljivi rock n' blues kojeg nam Rocky Athas samo tako isporučuje i doslovno nas potiče iz pjesme u pjesmu da samo idemo i slušamo što se dalje događa. Kada dođemo do posljednje pjesme na albumu, jednostavno idemo ponovo i tako tko zna do kada. Upravo zato poznati Vintage Guitar Magazine piše " Guaranteed to shake the dust from your speakers!"

Nije da "Livin’ My Best Life" slušam samo kod kuće, već se svojski trudim da ga što više promoviram i prezentiram i u radijskim emisijama koje uređujem i vodim. On to doista zaslužuje a vi, ako već niste, provjerite zašto stvari stoje baš tako!

Na kraju slijedi još i ovo: "This album comes full circle in my musical journey from Freddie King to Jeff Beck, and Peter Green and Andy Frasier who were both in the Bluesbreakers with John Mayall every one of whom I had the honor of meeting."

"This album was written specifically to encourage you to shun the negatuve forces in the world, embrace the positve , and start "Livin' YOUR Best Life". So, please keep rockin' the blues and play it LOUD!Repeat as needed for the great day" - Rocky Athas

Više o svemu potražite na:
https://www.rockyathas.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RockyAthasOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/rockyathas/
www.twiter.com/RockyAthas
https://soundcloud.com/rockyathasofficial
Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialRockyAthas

Popis pjesama:

1. Livin’ My Best Life (4:48)
2. Only In My Dreams ( 4:55)
3. Black Cat Moan (3:48)
4. Dark Days (5:24)
5. Sad Affairs (5:29)
6. Long Grey Mare (3:06)
7. Watching The River Flow (3:43)
8. Sold Ground (4:01)
9. Walk In My Shadow (2:55)
10. Palace Of The King (3:52)

(CherryBurst Records)

Yours bluesy,
Mladen Loncar-Mike

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ROCKY ATHAS - "LIVIN’ MY BEST LIFE''

These little more than 42' for anyone who is inclined and loves true rock n' blues, the album "Livin' My Best Life" will be a very focused object of your interest regardless of everything. Through CherryBurst Records, this album was officially released two weeks ago in its own arrangement, by the absolutely extraordinary musician Rocky Athas.

Few have not heard of this truly excellent guitarist, who has many attributes such as "Texas Tornado", "Malice from Dallas", "Young Eric Clapton" and "The Last Great Bluesbreaker Guitarist". Of course, all this points us to the fact and the story that here, on this album, there is no joke, no idleness, but that all that Texas has literally bursts out of the speakers and finds us .. and what is very important leaves us speechless, because every now and then we are truly taken aback by what we hear!

Rocky Athas offers us a real palette of fierce guitar riffs and infectious guitar moves, whose tones, whose sound literally opens all doors. Rocky leaves nothing, indeed nothing, to chance, but rather very precisely, very inspired and scattered in your musical beings that well-known restlessness and the feeling that we are on the right side.

When I think back to how much I enjoyed his guitar playing on Mayall's live and studio album, "A Special Life" features Rocky's stellar guitar performances and moments, prompting Neil Spencer of Uncut Magazine to praise the new work out of context. it sounds like this: "... whose guitarist, Rocky Athas, resembles a young Eric Clapton". This fact says it all because in those years, no matter what he played, everything was covered in blues and blues was always what Clapton wanted to play.

A similar thing happens with Rocky and that period definitely marked his professional career. Namely, being on tour and playing with Mayall can't be achieved by anyone who doesn't have everything, all that feeling and atmosphere in their little finger, and that's why only a select few can play with a true blues legend. Of course, Athas fulfilled all the criteria and that's exactly why he could be part of that story. Later or at the same time, Rocky also makes his solo albums and records what he likes, what gives him space to express himself as a complete musician and not just as a hired guitarist.

"Livin' My Best Life" is the long-awaited follow-up to "Shakin' The Dust" and that disease that stopped the world.

"Livin' My Best Life" features Rocky's "smokin' hot" tribute to Jeff Beck and Peter Green and a classic John Mayall rendition on the harmonica.

Since 2017, when he met again with Grammy winner Jim Gaines and working on the album "Shakin' The Dust", he started this whole positive circle or cycle, which continues to this day. After Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rocky launched a truly respectable solo career and is still around today.

And we all know Texas rock n' blues has always been a winning formula and style and atmosphere, which will not leave anyone indifferent.

And this should also be written: at the age of 23, this then young man from Oak Cliff is the guy Buddy Magazine included in the already legendary list of ten best guitarists. Rocky is one of the first and youngest to receive this honor. Over time, Rocky shared that honor with Eric Johnson, Jimmie and S.R, Vaughan, Billy Gibbons (of ZZtop) and Johnny Winter. Many know of his friendship with the legendary and sadly late Stevie Ray Vaughan, both of whom are from Oak Cliff, and Rocky is extremely proud of their shared roots and their friendship. He likes to mention the period when they were not world famous and always insists that they were extremely ordinary and approachable guys from the neighborhood and that fame has not changed them in that sense. This whole story and what touches me personally proves exactly that. Namely, after our already long-term cooperation, Rocky himself raises everything to an even higher level and this whole story acquires very significant connotations. I am personally very happy and proud that this is so!

Rocky befriended Grammy Award-winning producer Jim Gaines, who worked with We Know It All and Santana, Steve Miller, Journey and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and was named Blues Producer of the Year in 2003. Their friendship matured and went to an even greater level after his debut album "Miracle", which was produced by Jim. An offer followed, which he could not refuse: John Mayall, the iconic "Godfather of British blues", asked him to play guitar on his next album. Rocky was honored by this recognition for his skill and with undisguised enthusiasm joined Mayall's legendary The Bluesbreakers, where Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Mick Taylor also left and contributed. Being part of that team is truly fantastic and a huge success, and Rocky's gig, of course, did not go unnoticed. Guitar Player Magazine wrote that Rocky is "an outstanding veteran Texas gunslinger with a wicked tone and above all a respectable and successful solo career."

All this really had an impact on this new studio album, which Rocky gave complete meaning with his production and made that story really special. And in this he was helped by: Jared Watson (guitar, vocals), his son Rocky Athas II (bass guitar), Walter Watson (drums, vocals). Along with them there were also: Ruf Rufner (keyboards), Charlie Ferguson (keyboards "Sad Affairs"), John Mayall (lips "Long Gray Mare") and Jessica Athas (keyboards "Only In My Dreams")

Recommendation: 

All of us and all those who know what it is about will definitely not miss the opportunity to enjoy great music, great and incendiary rock n' blues that Rocky Athas just delivers and literally encourages us from song to song to just go and listen to what's going on what's happening next. When we get to the last song on the album, we just go again and so on until who knows when. That is exactly why the famous Vintage Guitar Magazine writes "Guaranteed to shake the dust from your speakers!"

It's not that I listen to "Livin' My Best Life" only at home, but I personally try to promote and present it as much as possible in the radio shows that I edit and host. He really deserves it and you, if you haven't already, check why things are the way they are!

At the end there is also this: "This album comes full circle in my musical journey from Freddie King to Jeff Beck, and Peter Green and Andy Frasier who were both in the Bluesbreakers with John Mayall each one of whom I had the honor of meeting. "

"This album was written specifically to encourage you to shun the negative forces in the world, embrace the positive, and start "Livin' YOUR Best Life". So, please keep rockin' the blues and play it LOUD! Repeat as needed for the great day" - Rocky Athas

Find out more about everything at:

https://www.rockyathas.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RockyAthasOfficial/

https://www.instagram.com/rockyathas/

www.twiter.com/RockyAthas

https://soundcloud.com/rockyathasofficial

Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialRockyAthas

Track list:

1. Livin' My Best Life (4:48)

2. Only In My Dreams (4:55)

3. Black Cat Moan (3:48)

4. Dark Days (5:24)

5. Sad Affairs (5:29)

6. Long Gray Mare (3:06)

7. Watching The River Flow (3:43)

8. Sold Ground (4:01)

9. Walk In My Shadow (2:55)

10. Palace Of The King (3:52)

(CherryBurst Records)

Yours bluesy,

Mladen Loncar-Mike

Buddy Magazine Reveals Secrets from Rocky’s Past!

Check out the April edition of Buddy Magazine for an in-depth, deep dive interview by Andrew Daly. Thank you for the awesome interview and putting me on the cover! Keep reading below to learn more secrets from my past and check out Buddy Magazine’s website HERE for more great interviews and music reviews.

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At the age of 69, it goes without saying that Rocky Athas, a player who has played alongside the likes of John Mayall, Buddy Miles, Glenn Hughes, and more, has been around the block a time or two.

He came of age in Texas in the ’70s, a period that boasted the likes of Eric Johnson and Rocky’s close childhood friend Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others, leading to Buddy Magazine to induct Athas in the inaugural Buddy Texas Tornado class of 1978, when he was just a young pup aged 23. To this, Athas says, “It was an honor then, as it is now to this day. Being the youngest in a group that included such successful artists as Jimmie Vaughan and Billy Gibbons raised my profile and raised expectations of myself.”

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He continues, “It has been part of my resume forever, and I am often asked about it. In other parts of the world, Texas seems to have a certain mystic when it comes to guitar players in part, possibly because of that ranking. Thank you, Buddy Magazine. You rock!” [Ed. Thanks Rocky.]

While Buddy Magazine noticed Rocky’s talent very early on, top players from around the world also recognized his talent, and incorporated his style and phrasing into their own playing. And the result had a major impact – in this Guitar World article from 2023, Queen’s Brian May explains how he lifted a few tapping licks from Athas, creating the solo for “It’s Late” that became the primary inspiration for Eddie Van Halen’s two-handed tapping technique.

Accolades aside, Athas has a record to promote in Livin’ My Best Life, which is due out on March 10, 2024. Even after all these years, the veteran gunslinger has still got it. The chops that made him a mainstay amongst the greats are all over the thing, so be sure to grab Livin’ My Best Life when it drops.

As for how he feels about his new record, Athas smiles from ear to ear when asked. “Of course, after an album is released, I always hear things in my head that I would have done differently that tend to stick in my mind and drive me crazy,” he admits. “But I love writing and recording music more than anything, and I believe that my new album, Livin’ My Best Life, is my favorite at this point because it’s on the top of my mind.”

What inspired you to pick up the guitar?

I would love to tell you an interesting, original story, but I, like an entire generation, was mesmerized by the iconic Beatles performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Luckily, my brother, Nick, already played guitar and was willing to start teaching me, and the very next day, I asked my mother if I could start growing my hair out. 

Walter Trout & Rocky Athas jamming together.

A wonderful side note about my mom: she was a hairdresser at The Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas, so the idea of long hair didn’t freak her out. She knew she could just cut it off if she didn’t like it! True story.

Tell me about your first guitar and what songs you learned on it. 

My very first guitar was a Kingston three-pickup “pawn shop special” electric guitar. My parents realized very early on how important guitar was becoming to me. So much so that they memorialized my budding musical interests with a giant 8×10 Sears portrait of me with my Beatles haircut and my Kingston, which I still have, and my wife laughs at. “House of the Rising Sun” was the first song I learned to play, which I also saw on The Ed Sullivan Show when The Animals were on. 

As I got better at guitar, my mom bought me my first “real” guitar, a Gibson ES-330, but only if I promised to mow the yard and keep the garage clean without being told. Failure to keep my word would mean forfeiture of the guitar to her. I couldn’t deal with losing the guitar, so needless to say, our home never violated code compliance.  

Bluesville

Growing up in Texas, what did the music scene around you look like?

Two words. Loud and talented. Any night of the week, there were always great bands to go see because there was such an abundance of venues for live music, like Mother Blues, Sneaky Pete’s, Savvy’s, The Palladium, and Cardi’s. They all brought in national acts and were packed. It was a blast!

What shops did you like to frequent when looking for guitars and gear?

Even though I lived in Oak Cliff, Arnold and Morgan Music in Garland was the place to go in the ’70s and 80’s because they always had great used gear. I even had the chance to purchase Freddie King’s guitar from them, but I was young and thought it was “too” used because Freddie played with a metal thumbpick that nearly rubbed a hole completely through it! I didn’t understand the value of the guitar or the concept of “vintage” guitars…yet.  

Lightning

Did any Texas players influence you much? Did you meet them? 

That question requires a two-part answer. First, I was influenced by all the good players I grew up jamming with, like Jimmy Wallace, because we were all friends in the same neighborhood. We were more like brothers; everything was a giant open book between us. Remember the days before YouTube? 

If you wanted to learn something, you had to actually play the record over and over and over again until you figured it out, much to the irritation of our parents. If one of us figured out something off Axis Bold as Love, we would show each other how we thought it was played. Whether we learned it correctly or not is another question.  

Mick Taylor and Rocky in London.

As far as professional players, Freddie King was the man! I got to see him countless times in person. When I was 18, I went to see Jeff Beck at The Majestic Theater in Dallas with original Lightning bassist John Rybiski. While we were standing in line, this guy, who was “football big,” walked up holding a guitar, shook my hand, and asked if this was the line for Jeff Beck and if he could “cut” in line.  

Of course, I knew it was Freddie because he was a regular fixture at Mother Blues and holding his signature 345 Gibson guitar! Not only was his playing phenomenal, but he was one of the nicest guys in the world. He emanated joy on stage through his playing and his smile. He seemed to love making music, which left an impression on me. Music made me that happy, too. It’s one of the reasons that we recorded Palace of The King for the new album, Livin’ My Best Life. 

John Mayall and Rocky.

What’s your wildest Texas music scene story?

The wildest gig story happened while we were on stage in Austin, Texas, and a guy was dancing super crazy right in front of the band. All of a sudden, he fell straight down, legs buckling beneath him. The promoter asked us to take a break, and they called medics; the guy had died right there on the spot in front of us! The ambulance took him away, and then the promoter said, “Ok, guys, can you go ahead and start it up again?”

Needless to say, this felt pretty weird, witnessing death and all, but the promoter insisted. Can you imagine that? The last thing any of us wanted to do was rock the house, but after we finished the first song of the next set, a guy stood up, hoisting a beer, yelling, “My brother just died on this floor, so let’s all have a beer. I am buying it to celebrate my brother’s life!” That has stayed with me to this day.  

You just can’t make this stuff up. Truth really is stranger than fiction, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to bizarre and crazy events in the life of a working musician. Next time, ask me about the gig at the topless bar.  

Tell me about joining Black Oak Arkansas. How did you get the gig? Was there an audition?

No audition. I opened for Black Oak Arkansas in Paris, Texas, and about a week later, Jim Dandy called me directly and asked if I would like to join Black Oak. He basically poached me from my own band; I said yes, and on the road, I went.  

What was it like working with Buddy Miles on Bluesberries? What did your rig look like then?  

Buddy was a friend long before we recorded the Bluesberries album with Double Trouble. I remember playing football in a huge field next to a hotel if you can imagine that, with all the guys, including Buddy, when we were staying in Houston for a gig. Lots of friendships were forged on the road in situations like that. 

Buddy Miles and Rocky Athas

Anyway, I was fascinated with the great stories he told about his days with Jimi Hendrix and Band of Gypsies, and I loved his voice and his playing. He always had a groove and some soul. I never got tired of playing with him, and during that time, I used a Fender Twin and Lab L5 for the album.

You’re one of many guitarists to work with John Mayall. What’s the secret to locking in with him?

I really don’t know. This was another situation where, just like when Jim Dandy called, John called me out of the blue and asked me to join him: no middleman, no handlers, no audition. I actually thought the phone call was a prank from one of my friends, and I didn’t take him seriously. That ended up being a tad awkward for a moment, but everything ultimately worked out. 

He said he remembered seeing me play years before and heard my album, Miracle, on the radio in the UK. He liked what he heard, so he bought it and then called me. When I went to California to meet him and record Tough, I asked him how he wanted me to play, and I’ll never forget what he said. He said, “Just be yourself. That’s why I hired you. I want you to be you.” I loved it, cranked it up, and got down to business.  

Of your solo records, which means the most to you, and why?  

That is a very tricky question because all of them seem monumental at the time of creation. I am so focused on the creative process that I have no clue what the next album will be. All my energy goes into the “now,” if you know what I mean. 

Without Rocky Athas playing at Mother Blues in the 70s, Eddie Van Halen’s two-handed tapping technique (and this solo) may have never happened. Check out the Guitar World link above for more of this story.

You’ve covered classic tracks like “White Room” and “The Wind Cries Mary.” How do you approach that impossible task?

I approached the classics in much the same way I did as a kid, only better. I wanted to record the songs that shaped my playing and conjured up great memories. We just tried to be as honest and true to the original versions as possible. Walter and I have an entire album’s worth of material that we recorded just for fun, songs that we loved growing up, like stuff from Mountain, Creedence, the Moody Blues, The Rolling Stones, etc. Maybe one day we’ll put it out. Great songs are always great songs.

What guitars, amps, and pedals have most shaped your tone? Are there any you’d never part with? 

The Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9 and TS-10 are my favorite pedals, along with a vintage Vox Wah. I used Lab Series-L5 amps and a Fender Twin for as long as I can remember. I still love the Lab-Series L-5s. They were discontinued in 1981, so any time I have the chance to buy an original L5, I buy it. So, I guess the answer is that the Labs aren’t going anywhere.  

Thin Lizzy performing “Rocky,” written for Athas. Phil Lynott and the band were fans of Rocky’s, and went to see him perform often at Mother Blue’s in Dallas when they were in town.

What’s next for you?

Since the world of music is now all about being an independent artist, there is never a shortage of things to do or learn. Gone are the days of just showing up to a gig that someone else booked and playing guitar. Now, I have a complete e-commerce website, www.RockyAthas.com, and social media channels that need content. It’s a whole different kind of fun to connect with someone who loves your music when they reach out to me through the website, Facebook, or YouTube.   

So, as the life of a musician is always evolving and moving forward, I wrote about those feelings on the new album, Livin’ My Best Life. I am so proud of the guys, Walter Watson, Jared Watson, and Rocky II, for their performances. After being on the road together, we couldn’t be any tighter, and it shows through on the record. We have a unique bond since I have my son, Rocky II, on bass, and Walter has his son, Jared, on guitar.

We are truly a family affair and enjoy playing together, and the crowds see that and seem to be into it, too. Not to sound cheesy, but it really feels like I am Livin’ My Best Life, and I couldn’t be in a better band than I am right now. I took my time with this album and now, I’m hoping the world will enjoy it and that everybody plays it loud listening to my message. 

"Melodic, ripping guitar work and catchy chorus" ~ Blues Matters!

Check out this month's edition of Blues Matters!  They are celebrating their landmark 100th issue and a glowing, insightful review of Shakin' The Dust written by Clive Rawlings is included.  The staff and writers at Blues Matters have always been so supportive of my work and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything and congratulate them on hitting this milestone.  Click the link and subscribe!   Their name says it all!   

Shakin' The Dust Review ~ by Clive Rawlings

For the uninitiated, Rocky is a Texas guitarist who has been around a good few years, coming to prominence firstly with Black Oak Arkansas, then Buddy Miles BluesBerries and latterly as the last guitarist employed by John Mayall in his Bluesbreakers.  He also released solo albums with the late Larry Samford on vocals to great acclaim.  So, you will gather he's no slouch and it has given me great pleasure to review this new album.  Together with legendary producer, Jim Gaines, this is a cracker from the opening Texas rock of Dictator and the blues rocker, You Pushed Me Too Far, one of many originals with many blues licks.  I should give credit here to the rhythm section of Rocky's son, Rocky Athas II on bass and drummer, Walter Watson.  Texas Girl is great, too, as it kicks off with an amazing intro with Athas' brilliant guitar complimented by a crushing wave of catchy hooks.  Athas puts his own stamp on the Johnny "Guitar" Watson cover, Looking Back, a nice touch being that this version is slowed down somewhat.  I Need Your Love So Bad has been covered by the likes of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, but it still sounds the business here, very intense slow blues.  The most important thing in this song is the feeling that you can put in your guitar strings and that is one of the strongest points of Rocky.  It's then back to Rocky's own work again with Not This Time, a melodic rocker again with ripping guitar work and a catchy chorus.  The album ends with the magnificent Hendrix cover, Villanova Junction, in which the guitar naturally takes on the leading role and then Athas is at his best.  All in all, this is a great album in a long list of great albums by this unsung survivor of the Bluesbreakers.  Not that he needs to use that handle.  The man is a legend in his own lunchtime, as the saying goes! 

Shakin' The Dust Unpacks Rocky's Strongest Weapon! Read NOW!

The reviews for Rocky's first album since departing the legendary Bluesbreaker band leader, John Mayall, are coming in from around the world and are unanimous!  Shakin' the Dust "unpacks Rocky's strongest weapon, razor sharp and blistering guitar work"!  Writer Walter Vanheuckelom for Concert Monkey Belgium says "You Pushed Me Too Far" is one of the best songs on the album!  Check it out and play it LOUD!  #TexasStyle

Rocky Athas and Shakin' The Dust Delivers Blistering Guitar!

http://www.rockyathas.com/physical-albums/shakinthedust  

Click here to read the full, original review in Dutch and follow Concert Monkey's excellent recommendations. Thank you, Concert Monkey, Walter Vanheuckelom and all the European music fans!  For our English speaking fans, a translated version of this review appears at the bottom for your convenience.

Rocky Athas is een Amerikaanse gitarist uit Texas. In zijn tienerjaren speelde hij samen gitaar met zijn schoolvriend Stevie Ray Vaughan. Op zijn drieëntwintigste werd hij verkozen bij de beste tien gitaristen in Texas. Thin Lizzy, toch niet de eerste beste band, was zo onder de indruk van het gitaarspel van Rocky Athas tijdens het Mother Blues Festival in Dallas, dat ze er meteen het nummer 'Cocky Rocky' over schreven. In de late jaren zeventig werkte Rocky als sessie muzikant voor Polygram Records in de Memphis Ardent Studios. Daarna was Rocky een tijdje lid van The Southern Rock band Black Oak Arkansas en speelde mee op hun legendarische albums 'Ready As Hell' en 'The Wild Bunch'. In 2002 was hij te horen op 'Blues Berries' van Bobby Miles, de drummer van de Jimmy Hendrix Band Of Gipsy's. De bekende producer Jim Gaines was onder de indruk van de kwaliteiten van Rocky Athas en vond dat Rocky muziek moest maken onder zijn eigen naam. In 2003 verscheen het album 'Miracle' van The Rocky Athas Group, twee jaar later verscheen de opvolger 'Voodoo Moon' en in 2007 verscheen 'Lightning Strikes Twice' en dat was meteen het laatste studio album, want twee jaar later werd Rocky de vaste gitarist bij de Britse blues icoon John Mayall. Als het drukke schema van de nog altijd energieke John Mayall het toelaat, werkt Rocky Athas verder aan zijn eigen carrière. Zo bracht hij in 2014 nog het album 'Let My Guitar Do The Talking... With My Friends' uit. John Mayall, Smoking Joe Kubek en nog wat andere bekende vrienden van Rocky verleenden hun medewerking aan deze cd. In 2015 verscheen 'The Essential Volume I' en in 2016 de opvolger 'The Essential Volume II'. Deze verzamelaars van Rocky's werk zouden hem meer naambekendheid moeten geven in Europa. Op vijftien oktober verscheen Rocky's nieuwe album 'Shakin' The Dust' met daarop elf nummers, die buiten de vier covers allemaal door Rocky Athas geschreven zijn. Producer is de legendarische Jim Gaines.

'Shakin' The Dust' opent met de Texas rocker 'Dictator', waarin Rocky Athas meteen uitpakt met zijn sterkste wapen, namelijk vlijmscherp en verschroeiend snarenwerk. Ook in de bluesrocker 'You Pushed Me Too Far', één van de beste songs op het album, komen de kwaliteiten van Athas als gitarist weer ruimschoots aan bod. Deze 'You Pushed Me Too Far' roept herinneringen op aan Stevie Ray Vaughan. Al meer dan zestig jaar geleden nam Jimmy Reed, het door Calvin Carter geschreven 'I Ain't Got You' op. Het is ondertussen ontelbare keren gecoverd, zelfs door The Rolling Stones en Aerosmith. De versie van Rocky Athas heeft zeker een plaatsje tussen de betere covers en dat komt wederom door zijn fantastisch gitaarwerk. Zoon Rocky Athas II op bas en drummer Walter Watson zorgen voor de heerlijke rock groove. 'Time Flies' is een heerlijke meeslepende rock ballade en de bluesrock shuffle 'Texas Girl' heeft een geweldige gitaar intro. Het langste nummer op het album is de psychedelische ballade 'No More Breath', waarin Rocky weer erg veel gevoel legt in zijn weergaloos snarenwerk.

Athas weet zijn eigen stempel te drukken op de Johnny Guitar Watson cover 'Looking Back'. De Texaan speelt het nummer iets minder snel dan het origineel en dat geeft het nummer een extra touch. In 1955 had Little Willie John al een hit met 'I Need Your Love So Bad', maar het nummer werd onsterfelijk gemaakt in de versies van Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Gary Moore en The Allman Brothers. Aan deze heel intense slowblues heeft gitaarvirtuoos Rocky Athas wijselijk niet zoveel verandert. Het belangrijkste in deze song is dan ook het gevoel dat je in je snarenwerk weet te leggen en dat is één van de sterkste punten van deze Texaanse gitarist. Na deze twee erg mooie covers krijgen we met 'Not This Time' weer eigen werk van Rocky. In deze melodieuze rocker is het weer genieten van het scheurend gitaarwerk van Rocky en het catchy refrein nodigt uit om mee te zingen en te dansen. Het album wordt afgesloten met de magistrale, instrumentale Jimmy Hendrix cover 'Villanova Junction' waarin de gitaar vanzelfsprekend weer de hoofdrol op zich neemt en dan is Athas op zijn best. 'Shakin' The Dust' van Rocky Athas is een zeer aangenaam album. Vooral de gitaarliefhebbers zullen erg genieten van deze 'Shakin' The Dust'. (7,5/10)

Walter Vanheuckelom

01. Dictator

02. You Pushed Me Too Far

03. Lifeline

04. I Ain’t Got You

05. Time Flies

06. Texas Girl

07. No More Breath

08. Looking Back

09. Need Your Love So Bad

10. Not This Time

11. Villanova Junction

For our English speaking fans, below is a translated version of the review.  

Rocky Athas is an American guitarist from Texas. In his teens he played guitar together with his school friend Stevie Ray Vaughan. At the age of twenty-three, he was elected by the top ten guitarists in Texas. Thin Lizzy, not the first band, was so impressed by the guitar playing of Rocky Athas during the Mother Blues Festival in Dallas, that they immediately wrote the song 'Cocky Rocky' about it. In the late seventies, Rocky worked as a musician for Polygram Records in the Memphis Ardent Studios. After that Rocky was a member of The Southern Rock band Black Oak Arkansas for a while and played on their legendary albums 'Ready As Hell' and 'The Wild Bunch'. In 2002 he was heard on 'Blues Berries' by Bobby Miles, the drummer of the Jimmy Hendrix Band Of Gipsy's. The well-known producer Jim Gaines was impressed by the qualities of Rocky Athas and found that Rocky had to make music under his own name. In 2003 the album 'Miracle' by The Rocky Athas Group was released, two years later the successor 'Voodoo Moon' appeared and in 2007 'Lightning Strikes Twice' appeared and that was the last studio album, because two years later Rocky became the regular guitarist with the British blues icon John Mayall. If the busy schedule of the still energetic John Mayall permits it, Rocky Athas will continue his own career. In 2014 he released the album 'Let My Guitar Do The Talking ... With My Friends'. John Mayall, Smoking Joe Kubek and some other well-known friends from Rocky lent their cooperation to this CD. In 2015 'The Essential Volume I' was released and in 2016 the successor 'The Essential Volume II'. These collectors of Rocky's work should give him more name recognition in Europe. On the fifteenth of October, Rocky's new album 'Shakin' The Dust 'was released with eleven tracks, all written by Rocky Athas outside the four covers. Producer is the legendary Jim Gaines.

'Shakin' The Dust 'opens with the Texas rocker' Dictator ', in which Rocky Athas immediately unpacks with his strongest weapon, razor sharp and blistering strings. Also in the blues rocker 'You Pushed Me Too Far', one of the best songs on the album, the qualities of Athas as guitarist are again amply discussed. This 'You Pushed Me Too Far' evokes memories of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jimmy Reed, the 'I Is not Got You' written by Calvin Carter, took over 60 years ago. It has been covered countless times, even by The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. The version of Rocky Athas certainly has a place among the better covers and that's because of his fantastic guitar work. Son Rocky Athas II on bass and drummer Walter Watson provide the wonderful rock groove. 'Time Flies' is a delightful compelling rock ballad and the blues rock shuffle 'Texas Girl' has a great guitar intro. The longest track on the album is the psychedelic ballad 'No More Breath', in which Rocky again gives a lot of feeling in his unparalleled string work.

Athas has his own stamp on the Johnny Guitar Watson cover 'Looking Back'. The Texan plays the song a bit less fast than the original and that gives the song an extra touch. In 1955, Little Willie John already had a hit with 'I Need Your Love So Bad', but the song was immortalized in the versions of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Gary Moore and The Allman Brothers. The guitar virtuoso Rocky Athas has not changed that much to these very intense slowblues. The most important thing in this song is the feeling that you can put in your strings and that is one of the strongest points of this Texan guitarist. After these two very beautiful covers, we get Rocky's own work again with 'Not This Time'. In this melodic rocker it is again enjoying the ripping guitar work of Rocky and the catchy chorus invites you to sing along and dance. The album ends with the magisterial, instrumental Jimmy Hendrix cover 'Villanova Junction' in which the guitar naturally takes on the leading role and then Athas is at its best. 'Shakin' The Dust 'by Rocky Athas is a very pleasant album. Especially the guitar lovers will really enjoy this' Shakin 'The Dust'. (7.5 / 10)
 

Legendary Texas Guitarist Rocky Athas and Blues Icon John Mayall End.

As some of you may have heard, John Mayall announced today that effective immediately he is reducing his performance format to a trio to become his own guitar player. We had a discussion and a meeting of the minds. John told me that as he approaches 83 years of age this is something he has always wanted to pursue and I support his decision. I have accomplished all that I could as his last guitarist and he wants to finish his career playing guitar for himself in a trio. I want everyone to wish him well and know that even though I will not be touring with John any longer that we remain musician brothers at heart. For me, this is the perfect ending to a great run.  Onward & Upward!  I look forward to the next chapter of rockin' the blues MY way like the songs from The Essential Rocky Athas - Volume I below.  Turn it up & enjoy a taste of authentic Texas music!

Although his decision was unexpected, I welcome the opportunity to move forward and continue making music Texas Style with your help.  Please "share" my music with your friends and I hope to see you in your city soon!

You can read John's official press release by clicking HERE.