Tommy Bolin Birthday Tribute! Watch NOW!

Let’s celebrate Tommy Bolin’s birthday with a little guitar history lesson about six degrees of separation .  In the 70's, Joe Walsh recommended a phenomenal guitar player named Tommy Bolin to replace him in The James Gang.  A year later, Tommy moved on to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple and his legacy grew.  After his death, I met his brother Johnnie when we both played with Black Oak Arkansas.  That friendship led to playing with Johnnie and Glenn Hughes for the Tommy Bolin Tribute tours and a great musical performance was released from that experience!  We had such a rockin' good time working together that Johnnie offered me one of Tommy's acoustic songs that had never been released for my upcoming Miracle album and Johnnie played drums on it!  Slow Driver is that song and as they say...the rest is history!  Thank you, Tommy!  

YES!  That is Tommy Bolin jamming with Lynyrd Skynyrd on his Explorer.

Want to See YOUR #TeamRocky Video HERE? Watch THIS!

Check out this video created by a fan in Greece!  I totally love it when a fan enjoys a song so much that they make their own video for it.  Want your video featured here? Pick your favorite song from Shakin' The Dust and get creative!  Something as simple as a lyric video with a slide show is AWESOME when it's created by a true music lover.  We will even help you by sending you the lyrics!  I will encourage subscribers to your YouTube channel and share the best ones on all my Official social media platforms!  Come on!  Let's share some music!  Below are the personal stories behind the songs.  I hope one of them will connect with your journey!

Want official thumbnail images and official Rocky Athas logos for use in your project?  We got them! Want lyrics for your video? Just ask and we will send them to you! Email rockyathas@yahoo.com and put "VIDEO" in the subject line to get the tools you need. Now, get creative and enjoy the music and help me Keep Rockin' The Blues! 

Shakin' The Dust – Stories I Only Share With My Friends

Each song on Shakin' The Dust expresses bits and pieces of my personal journey. Most people will identify with the themes of struggle, love, strength, and life observations making Shakin' The Dust prove how universal life experiences really are. Music is my way of connecting and letting you know that you are not alone on your journey.

Dictator is an anthem for every person who works a job or is in a relationship that is one sided. Life is too short to let someone else call the shots for your life. You must take control of your happiness.

You Pushed Me Too Far is exactly what it sounds like...being pushed too far and embracing the freedom that comes from reclaiming your identity and your authenticity.

Lifeline illustrates the importance of relationships and how everyone needs an anchor. For a relationship to evolve, a spirit of compromise and a willingness to examine your heart openly must be nurtured. This was written about someone very special in my life.

I Ain't Got You written by Calvin Carter describes the illusion of a perfect life but knowing in your heart that what is truly important is not present. This is how being on the road feels without my wife.

Time Flies is also exactly what it sounds like.... the reality and perspective on life without the rose-colored glasses. Our time here is finite but our legacy lives on so don't waste it.

Texas Girl is about that special something that defines Texas women and their strength. I got mine!

No More Breath paints a picture about my son's car accident in 2010. He laid on the roadside undiscovered for 14 hours before being life flighted to a Texas trauma center. He came out of a coma on Mother's Day. The words and groove are his but can be viewed as anyone who is struggling in life to survive metaphorically.

Looking Back is a Johnny "Guitar" Watson song that reminds me of exactly how I met my wife, Jessica. I could have written it word for word. It's a perfect example of how music can be universal but also personal. I was definitely looking back to see if she was looking back at me!

Need Your Love So Bad is originally a Little Willie John and Murtis John tune. Fleetwood Mac's version with Peter Green was the first time I heard it. When Mick Fleetwood jammed with us in Hawaii (which was the BEST jam of the tour), we talked about this song and how it was such an overlooked gem. I have always loved it and suggested Casey James sing it on American Idol in 2010.

Not This Time is about finding your voice. Since I am a non-confrontational person, I have learned that sometimes my greatest strength can also be my Achilles heel. Being a Texas boy, my nature is to try to get along with everyone and learning how to take a stand without stepping on others is important to me.

Villanova Junction is my nod to Jimi Hendrix and his influence on my playing. Before Smokin' Joe Kubek died in 2015, he told me that this was his favorite Hendrix tune that I played when we were coming up and that I should record it. This one's for Joe.

Tommy Bolin Birthday Tribute! Watch NOW!

Time for a little guitar history lesson.  In the 70's, Joe Walsh recommended a phenomenal guitar player named Tommy Bolin to replace him in The James Gang.  A year later, Tommy moved on to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple and his legacy grew.  After his death, I met his brother Johnnie when we both played with Black Oak Arkansas.  That friendship led to playing with Johnnie and Glenn Hughes for the Tommy Bolin Tribute tours and a great musical performance was released from that experience!  We had such a rockin' good time working together that Johnnie offered me one of Tommy's acoustic songs that had never been released for my upcoming Miracle album and Johnnie played drums on it!  Slow Driver is that song and as they say...the rest is history!  Happy Birthday, Tommy!  

YES!  That is Tommy Bolin jamming with Lynyrd Skynyrd on his Explorer.

We Want to See YOUR #TeamRocky Video HERE! Watch THIS!

Check out this video created by a fan in Greece!  I totally love it when a fan enjoys a song so much that they make their own video for it.  Want your video featured here? Pick your favorite song from Shakin' The Dust and get creative!  Something as simple as a lyric video with a slide show is AWESOME when it's created by a true music lover.  We will even help you by sending you the lyrics!  I will encourage subscribers to your YouTube channel and share the best ones on all my Official social media platforms!  Come on!  Let's share some music!  Below are the personal stories behind the songs.  I hope one of them will connect with your journey!

Want official thumbnail images and official Rocky Athas logos for use in your project?  We got them! Want lyrics for your video? Just ask and we will send them to you! Email rockyathas@yahoo.com and put "VIDEO" in the subject line to get the tools you need. Now, get creative and enjoy the music and help me Keep Rockin' The Blues! 

Shakin' The Dust – Stories I Only Share With My Friends

Each song on Shakin' The Dust expresses bits and pieces of my personal journey. Most people will identify with the themes of struggle, love, strength, and life observations making Shakin' The Dust prove how universal life experiences really are. Music is my way of connecting and letting you know that you are not alone on your journey.

Dictator is an anthem for every person who works a job or is in a relationship that is one sided. Life is too short to let someone else call the shots for your life. You must take control of your happiness.

You Pushed Me Too Far is exactly what it sounds like...being pushed too far and embracing the freedom that comes from reclaiming your identity and your authenticity.

Lifeline illustrates the importance of relationships and how everyone needs an anchor. For a relationship to evolve, a spirit of compromise and a willingness to examine your heart openly must be nurtured. This was written about someone very special in my life.

I Ain't Got You written by Calvin Carter describes the illusion of a perfect life but knowing in your heart that what is truly important is not present. This is how being on the road feels without my wife.

Time Flies is also exactly what it sounds like.... the reality and perspective on life without the rose-colored glasses. Our time here is finite but our legacy lives on so don't waste it.

Texas Girl is about that special something that defines Texas women and their strength. I got mine!

No More Breath paints a picture about my son's car accident in 2010. He laid on the roadside undiscovered for 14 hours before being life flighted to a Texas trauma center. He came out of a coma on Mother's Day. The words and groove are his but can be viewed as anyone who is struggling in life to survive metaphorically.

Looking Back is a Johnny "Guitar" Watson song that reminds me of exactly how I met my wife, Jessica. I could have written it word for word. It's a perfect example of how music can be universal but also personal. I was definitely looking back to see if she was looking back at me!

Need Your Love So Bad is originally a Little Willie John and Murtis John tune. Fleetwood Mac's version with Peter Green was the first time I heard it. When Mick Fleetwood jammed with us in Hawaii (which was the BEST jam of the tour), we talked about this song and how it was such an overlooked gem. I have always loved it and suggested Casey James sing it on American Idol in 2010.

Not This Time is about finding your voice. Since I am a non-confrontational person, I have learned that sometimes my greatest strength can also be my Achilles heel. Being a Texas boy, my nature is to try to get along with everyone and learning how to take a stand without stepping on others is important to me.

Villanova Junction is my nod to Jimi Hendrix and his influence on my playing. Before Smokin' Joe Kubek died in 2015, he told me that this was his favorite Hendrix tune that I played when we were coming up and that I should record it. This one's for Joe.

MUSIC MONDAY! Please SHARE!

AIN'T NO DOUBT

I don't understand it.
This ain't how I planned it.
What the hell happened to me?

How'd I let you get me?
Mistreat and upset me.
It ain't like you're something to see.

I feel a little weak
From the way that you treat me.
Feels like I'm walking the line sometimes.
.
And I can't get it straight
if you love me or you hate me.
I wish you'd make up your mind.

Ain't No Doubt about it
I can live without it.
 
Gonna take some time out.
See if I can find out
Where I'm gonna go from here.

Do I keep on trying?
Or am I just denying
The truth
When you're making it clear?

I feel a little used
And I feel confused and
Feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes

And it's hard for me to know
Just where I stand,
You're always blurring the lines.

Ain't No Doubt about it
I can live without it.

I've been trying to hold out.
Feeling like I sold out.
Why won't you listen to me?
You're headed for a fall
And you don't care at all,
And I can't make you see!
No, No, No, No

I don't understand it.
This ain't how I planned it.
What the hell happened to me?

How'd I let you get me?
Mistreat and upset me.
It ain't like you're something to see.

I feel a little weak
from the way that you treat me.
Feel like I'm walking the line sometimes

And I can't get it straight
If you love me or you hate me.
I wish you'd make up your mind.

Ain't No Doubt about it, 
I can live without it.

Now that I've thought about it,
I can live without it.

Before accepting the coveted role of guitarist for John Mayall's legendary Bluesbreakers, Rocky Athas had established a long, successful solo career.

Partnering repeatedly with Grammy Award-winning producer Jim Gaines, Rocky Athas has released a series of albums, including Miracle, Voodoo Moon, and Lightning Strikes Twice, and his band of Texas musicians has wowed audiences.

By the age of 23, the Oak Cliff, Texas native had been included in Buddy Magazine's now-legendary list of Top Ten Guitarists --one of the first and youngest to receive the honor. Over time, Rocky has shared that honor with the likes of Eric Johnson, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons (of ZZtop), and Johnny Winter.

In the late oughts, Rocky was made an offer he couldn't refuse: John Mayall, the iconic "Godfather of British Blues", had asked him to play lead guitar on his next album. Needless to say, Rocky was honored to be recognized for his skill and thrilled to join Mayall's legendary outfit, The Bluesbreakers. Former members included Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. Within weeks of the call from John Mayall, they were together in the studio working on Tough. The album was a smashing success, and Rocky's performance did not go unnoticed. Guitar Player Magazine wrote that Rocky was, "a veteran Texas gunslinger with a wicked tone and a thriving solo career of his own." 

Over the next few years, Rocky continued to record and tour with Mayall's The Bluesbreakers. Mayall's album A Special Life featured stellar guitar performances by Rocky, prompting Neil Spencer of Uncut Magazine to highly praise the new work, "... whose guitarist, Rocky Athas, recalls the young Eric Clapton."

In 2014, Rocky released Let My Guitar Do The Talking...With My Friends on Cherryburst Records.  The album is "all-instrumental, all-guitar, all the time" and samples several vintage guitars from Rocky's personal collection. It also features guest appearances by long-time friend and fellow Texan Smokin' Joe Kubek and an exclusive performance by John Mayall on keyboards,

In 2015, the ultimate, commemorative Rocky Athas series was released, highlighting Rocky's most crowd-pleasing solo work. Also included are never-before-released bonus tracks paying homage to artists who influenced him, like Eric Clapton and Leslie West. The release of The Essential Rocky Athas - Volume I & II is hailed globally by critics as "a delectable album tailor-made for the blues enthusiast" filled with "delicious howling guitar riffs".  

Don't miss this authentic Texas guitar legend and former Bluesbreaker!

Rocky's entire catalog including The Essential Rocky Athas series is available at www.rockyathas.com, Amazon, iTunes and worldwide wherever  you shop for good music!   

http://www.rockyathas.com/shop/