Swampy + Musician in Pearl River, LA

SEEKING

ABOUT

BIO-BRIEF:

I am a highly experienced musician in many genre performing professionally since 1965 and seeking to join or form a Blues, Country, Classic Rock 'N' Roll, Oldies, Rhythm & Blues, or Southern Rock band. Currently I am participating in weekly acoustic jam sessions at Counter Culture in Slidell and also at my music studio on Sunday afternoons with Millennium Mix Band. Otherwise, I am also looking for musicians to join me to replace some of my band members who are out long term due to serious illness ... please see the BandMix listing for Millennium Mix Band for more information about the band.

AVAILABILITY FOR BANDS:

I am currently available for a temporary or permanent position, or even as a session performer, as a Tenor \ Baritone Lead or Background Vocalist, Bassist, Rhythm Guitarist, Keyboardist, or as a Songwriter / Collaborator, or even as a music instructor. I am a dependable team performer with a full complement of pro grade equipment and reliable transportation, although I do try to avoid driving after dark due to declining eyesight. from 27 years of battling glaucoma. However, for transportation after dark, my darling wife, Susie, supports my musical endeavors and is a willing chauffeur for those nighttime gigs & rehearsals!

PROFILE SUMMARY:

I retired after 40 years in the electrical power engineering profession, and I finally have adequate free time to devote exclusively to my artistic musical pursuits ... so I am hoping to find like minded musicians that enjoy making music as much as myself.and also want to have a few good times. Since moving in 2021, my new homestead also has an on-site, full facility, music studio with adequate space for rehearsals and jam sessions. I have 59 years of pro musical performance experience. Hence, I am neither an inexperienced `wannabe' kid musician nor just another "Old Rocker" or over the hill hayseed "Country Picker". I perform a mix of many genre of music preferably songs to encourage the audience to get up and dance. I am not exclusively limited to Blues, Classic Rock, Rhythm & Blues, or Country! I perform every song with feeling, selecting songs to encourage the audience to have a good time. My usual performances are a mix of:1950's - 1960's Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm & Blues (Motown Soul), Golden Oldies, 1930's - 1950's Big Band Pop, 1960's - 1970's Classic Pop and Classic Rock, 1920's - 1980 Classic (Hillbilly, Outlaw, & Red Dirt) Country and 1980 - present Contemporary (New) Country, 1950's - 1960's Instrumentals, 1950's - 1960's Swamp Pop, and .1960's - 1970's Tex-Mex.} I also perform a collection of holiday songs as needed when gigging for a major holiday event. My personal favorites are Blues, Classic and Contemporary Country, Classic Pop & Classic Rock 'N Roll Oldies, R & B Oldies (Motown Soul), and some Swamp Pop plus a few Funk and even a few Bluegrass and really old, country songs when playing acoustic gigs.

CURRENT REPERTOIRE

Currently I have over 1,660 songs in my vocal repertoire. I play solid beat driving or smooth flowing walking bass lines and even some 2 / 4 thumping for old time classic country songs. I also play snappy rhythm guitar riffs and rhythms, and keyboard fills. My vocals are still strong and on pitch. I am also trained to perform multi-part harmonies as needed when singing background or multi-part vocal leads.

I provide music lessons for beginners or anyone feeling the need for a little help to sharpen their musical skills and are searching for someone to tutor them to play better guitar, bass, or keys to sharpen those instrument skills or even to improve their vocal skills. Simply give me a call for some free one on one lessons! It would be my pleasure to share some musical knowledge and experience with you and help you to sharpen your talents.

CONTACTING SWAMPY

Since the BandMix Terms of Use (TOU), restricts external email addresses, hyperlinks, phone numbers, and websites in the DESCRIPTION Section, (BandMix will automatically remove them!) If you are a premium BandMix member, feel free to contact me through BandMix messaging or for everyone, my direct contact information is below in the EQUIPMENT LIST section. (Please look near the bottom of my Equipment List to reach me!) ...... Thanks Jim / Swampy

INTRODUCTION (ALL ABOUT SWAMPY):

Without a doubt, I am a bona fide melomaniac! I began structured vocal training in 1962 at age 10, although I had been singing in the church choir during services several years before that. I began seriously learning to play guitar in 1963 and I was good enough to go pro in 1965. I have performed continuously ever since. I have literally thousands of performances behind me. Nowadays, I perform even better than I did in my youth, with more musical knowledge and understanding and with even better developed techniques and talent. I plan to continue performing until I am physically unable or I book that permanent gig on a cloud with the angels! Despite being in fairly good shape for my age, I do have some chronic health concerns ... 1.) Diabetes-II, 2.) Very poor eyesight from 27 years of living with Glaucoma slowly diminishing my eyesight, 3.) Without being a smoker, I have smoke triggered Asthma likely from too many years of exposure to second-hand smoke while performing in all those smoke filled clubs and lounge venues. Nowadays, if possible whenever booking gigs, I much prefer booking the smoke free environments to minimize the irritation to my eyes and lungs.

MY EQUIPMENT

I own all necessary pro grade equipment for full venues. (PA Mixer & Amp, PA Floor Monitors, PA Main Speakers & Stands, Microphones & Stands, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Electric Bass Guitar, and Electronic Keyboards). I also have a vocal repertoire of over 1,660 songs with associated tabbed song-sheets that I've created for every song. (A necessity for me since it is well beyond my capacity to remember that many different song lyrics and musical progressions.)

ATTITUDE

I am a team player and as "laid back" and "as easy going", as a person can be. I very seldom actually get perturbed or get angry enough to explode when things go completely wrong... instead I use my engineering expertise and customer service training to find satisfactory resolution to the problem and simply work it out. I don't intend to just quietly allow time to steal making music from me. I refuse to give it up without a good fight! (So, won't you please help make a vocalizin', bass thumpin', guitar strummin', key ticklin', song writin', music teachin' grand-pappy happy? After all, I probably don't have all that many good years left in me, anyway!).

MUSICAL STYLES

I don't care for and don't entertain requests to perform any Alternative, Death Metal, Dubstep, Electronica, Emo, Gothic Rock, Grunge, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Hip Hop, Modern Rock, Progressive, Punk, Ska, World, or any form of the mostly vulgar Hip Hop - RAP. However, I am willing to play bass or rhythm to any of these genre just don't expect me to be out front screaming out the lyrics to any of it ... my old pipes just won't handle that kind of strain!. I can play bass or rhythm guitar to almost anything on the fly without difficulty once I have heard the song a few times or after I review the sheet music. Besides my voice, my primary instruments (in order of proficiency) are Bass Guitar, Electric and Acoustic Rhythm Guitar, and Electronic Keyboard. I also have an extensive vocabulary skill which is very helpful to writing lyrics when composing songs.

MY MUSICAL JOURNEY:

My musical journey began with me singing in church services in the mid to late 1950's and formal vocal music training in 1962, in the 4th grade elementary school and continued through 8th grade with me soloing at many chorale concerts and in the church choir. In 1963 my dad gifted me a very old, well used 3/4 sized acoustic guitar, a Mel Bay guitar instruction book, and a new set of Black Diamond guitar strings. I learned to tune it by ear with a pitch-pipe, play every chord in the book and quickly change between the chords, properly strum the rhythm patterns, and pick lead lines by practicing daily after school for a few hours. By 1965 I was sounding and playing well enough to perform in public so after a few weeks of busking tips at local restaurants, I moved from acoustic to electric guitar, bought a 25 Watt Amp, and a good mic and stand. I continued my music training beyond grammar school with 4 more years of men's chorus in high school, lettering in chorus for my junior and senior years. I received more voice training and vocal sight reading as a part of the music curriculum there.

My strongest talent is singing lead vocals while playing bass or rhythm guitar or keys. I enjoy playing many genre of music. I try to avoid the lounges and clubs whenever possible since most still have a smoky atmosphere which triggers allergies in my eyes and lungs, making it too hard to see or breathe. Also there are far too many hassles with the drunks and dopers, and too many brawls for my liking! At my age, the reflexes just aren't what they once were when dodging the flying beer bottles, bar stools, and fists! And I sure can't move fast enough to dodge them all! Even worse, nowadays, you may have to dodge a bullet, too!

Since retiring, I devote much of my free time to continuing my music education. I am always learning new to me songs or writing new ones as my muse arises. I enjoy creating tabbed song-sheets, exploring music theory, and making a few home recordings and even teaching guitar and vocal music to students that have a desire and potential. When asked by another band, I will occasionally fill in for gigs or studio work if they are in need of a vocalist / guitarist / bassist or keyboardist. I perform many gigs lagniappe, but this is for my enjoyment too! Despite the weight of all that equipment, as long as entertaining is still fun for me, then it's not really work then is it? Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Thanks --- Jim / Swampy

Screen name:

Swampy

Member since:

Jun 12 2007

Active within 24 hours

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

60

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

6-7 nights a week

Most available:

Days

Influences

My earliest influences were New Orleans Jazz and the Big Band music of the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. Al Hirt, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, David Rose, Glenn Miller, Lawrence Welk, Mill's Brothers, Mitch Miller, Pete Fountain, Tommy Dorsey, Tony Almerico, etc and grammar school choir where I was introduced to Christian Gospel singing in harmony and solo in front of large groups. Plus I can't forget my dad, who also immersed me in the "Hillbilly Classic Country Music" my dad enjoyed and played when he was a young man back in the 1930's and 1940's up in Missouri..

In my early teens, I was learning to play new Rock n' Roll lead guitar and sing vocals (Many thanks to Beach Boys, Four Seasons, Elvis Pressley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Rivers, Rolling Stones, Santo & Johnny, The Animals, The Shadows, The Trogs, The Ventures, plus many others) as those mid 1960's new Rock and Roll / Pop and Rock-a-Billy Blues songs were on the radio top 40 every week.

The following are some other musicians and bands that inspired and influenced me over the years:

Blues:

B.B. King, Blind Boy Fuller, Chuck Berry, Elmore James, Elvis Presley, Freddie King, Howlin' Wolf, Jeff Healey, Johnny Rivers, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tracy Chapman, ZZ Top, etc.

Classic Rock / Swamp Pop / R & B / Soul / Funk:

1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, 2010's thru current especially Swamp Pop:

Aaron and Art Neville, Alabama, Animals, Beatles, Bobby Day, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, Cat Stevens, Cookie and His Cupcakes, Creedence Clearwater, Dean Martin, Delbert McClinton, Eagles, Eddie Floyd, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Fats Domino, Fifth Dimension, Funky Meters, Herman's Hermits, Jay and the Americans, Jimmy Clanton, Joe Barry, John Fogerty, Johnny Rivers, Jokers, Led Zepplin, Lloyd Price, Lou Rauls, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meters, Otis Redding, Platters, Robert Palmer, Rockin' Sidney, Roland Stone, Rolling Stones, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Simon and Garfunkel, Steppenwolf, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tab Benoit, Temptations, Three Dog Night, Turtles, Van Broussard, Wayne Foret, Wilson Pickett, ZZ Top, etc.

Classic Country "Hillbilly" Music / Contemporary Country Music, Bluegrass, and Tex-Mex:

1920's classics through contemporary with emphasis on 1960's, through 2010's. Alan Jackson, Belemy Brothers, Bill Monroe, Blake Shelton, Bob Wills, Bobby Bare, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Chapel Heart, Charley Pride, Chris Stapleton, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Dwight Yoakham, Eddy Arnold, Eddie Rabbit, Everly Brothers, Freddy Fender, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Hank Thompson, Hank Williams, Jack Greene, J. D. Wilson, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Johnny Paycheck, Marty Robbins, Mel Street, Merle Haggard, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, Little David Wilkins, Loretta Lynn, Lynn Anderson, Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Rooster Quantrell, Skeeter Davis, Tammy Wynette, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Tracy Byrd, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings.

Country / Rock Crossover:

Music from the 1960's: Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Johnny Rivers, etc.

Instrumental:

Bent Fabric, Booker T. & The MG's, Boots Randolph, Duane Eddy, Floyd Cramer, Herb Alfred & The Tijuana Brass, Johnny & The Hurricanes, Lee Allen, Santo & Johnny, The Champs, The Chantays, The Safaries, The Shadows, The Tornados, The Ventures, The Virtues, Young-Hot Unlimited

Texas Swing:

1950's thru current Bob Wills, Rooster Quantrell, Hank Thompson, Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, etc.

Southern Rock (Rock a Billy):

Alabama, Black Oak Arkansas, Elvis Presley, Jim Oertling, Johnny Rivers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Whiskey Myers, ZZ Top, etc.

Instrument experience:

Vocalist:

Expert

Vocalist - Baritone:

Expert

Vocalist - Tenor:

Expert

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Bass Guitar:

Expert

Background Singer:

Advanced

Keyboard:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

GUITARS:

1978 Fender F-15 Acoustic Guitar,
1965 Fender Stratocaster,
1966 Fender Mustang Bass,

KEYBOARDS:

1990 Casio CT-370 Keyboard, w/ Stand
2011 Casio WK 500 Keyboard, w/ Stand

AMPLIFIERS / INSTRUMENT SPEAKERS:

1965 Kustom 200 - 200 Watt Head, 2 - 15 inch Speakers in Roll-Tuck Cabinet, Instrument / Bass Amplifier
2014 Fender Champion 100, 100 Watt Combo Guitar Amp, 2 -12 inch Fender Speakers
2019 Fender Rumble V3 - 200 1-15 inch Fender Speaker, 200 Watt Combo Bass amp

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM and SPEAKERS:

2006 Kustom PA KPM8420T- 8 Chanel, 400 Watt, Powered Mixer Head w/ Stand and Cables
2006 Kustom 2ea. - KPC15, w/ 15 inch - Speakers w/ Horns and Stands
2006 Kustom 2ea. - KPC12M w/ 12 inch Speakers and Horns Floor Monitors

MICROPHONES:

Shure SM-58, Cable, Stand
Shure 585SA, Cable, Stand
AudioSpectrum AS-400, Cable, Stand
AKG D8000S, Cables, Stands

PEDALS:

Vocal Harmonizer - 2020 TC Helicon Critical Mass, with Battery Eliminator
Looper - 2022 Boss RC-1, with Battery Eliminator

ELECTRONIC DRUM MACHINE:

2004 Alesis SR-16 Electronic Drum Machine, with AC Power Supply

MISCELLANEOUS:

1985 Nady Wireless Guitar system.,
1-ea. Chicago Music Stand w/ light.

Recording / Sound Engineering:

2014 Focusrite, Scarlet Solo Digital Interface
DAW Software - Audacity and ProTools

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Direct email Decoder:
{JIMKNOCH(at)HOT_MAIL(dot)COM} [leave out the underscore and all brackets and parentheses, join HOT and MAIL into a single word and change the (dot) to a period and the (at) to the @ symbol)]. I will reply as soon as possible.
Home Phone, land line is (985)-863-3316, leave message and return number for missed calls.
Limited Cell or texting to (985)-807-6729 (expect dropouts and delays)

MUSIC

CALENDAR

Past Events

FORUM POSTS

• In Finding musicians at 04/23/11 18:06:15
• In Playing in Public at 12/28/07 00:16:14
• In MUSICIANS STILL TRYING TO ROCK, BUT HAVE KIDS NOW? at 11/06/07 13:21:50