Texas Cannonball was written by Rocky Athas and Buddy Miles for the Bluesberries album, to honor the master, Freddie King, who was a fellow Texan that inspired Rocky. The Bluesberries album was recorded with Buddy Miles and Double Trouble in 2002 with Jim Gaines producing the magic. Happy Birthday, Freddie King! Play it LOUD!
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.
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.
At 85, the British blues legend, John Mayall, is planning to return to touring next year. Let's all wish him a very happy birthday with many more to come! During my time with John, we created some magical moments on stage and in the studio. One of the more memorable times between us was created when John appeared on my solo album, Let My Guitar Do The Talking…with my friends, playing organ on Think About It. Enjoy! Don't we all hope to still be able to stand on stage at 85? Cheers to you, John!
A entire generation of guitarists were inspired and influenced by Jimi Hendrix, who was born November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. All of my guitar friends were equally mesmerized by his playing and stage presence and I even experienced his live show three times! He was amazing to watch! When it was time to record, Shakin’ The Dust, I couldn’t resist recording one of Hendrix’s lesser known works from his Woodstock performance, Villanova Junction. Please enjoy, share and celebrate the Hendrix legacy! And don’t forget to play it LOUD!
When I was a kid, Jimi Hendrix was by far my favorite guitar player. As an adult, one of the many benefits of being friends with Buddy Miles, drummer for Band of Gypsys, was hearing his countless amazing and inspirational stories about playing with Jimi. So, imagine how thrilled and honored I was to be asked to record a Jimi Hendrix classic with the drummer who actually played with him. It was a rare and extraordinary experience.
Buddy Miles, Double Trouble and I paid our respects to Hendrix with our rendition of The Wind Cries Mary with Grammy Award winning producer, Jim Gaines at the wheel. This track was included on the album Blue Haze - Songs of Jimi Hendrix. For all you gear heads who are curious, I recorded this track using my all original 1960 Strat through a 1959 cream colored Bassman amp!
