RE: [Harp-L] My Honeyboy Edwards story

[James Conway <harp3333@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On a summer Sunday afternoon 20-25 years ago, I heard some sweet, acoustic, slide guitar coming out of the Wise Fools Pub. I went inside and it was Honeyboy and another guitarist, Curtis Crawford, on the bill. It was my first introduction to acoustic country blues and it caused me to begin listening to and playing fingerstyle guitar, open tunings, slide, etc. The journey began and I started going to the Jazz Record Mart to buy country blues cassettes and catching shows. I learned a lot from the recordings and the cassette liner notes. In about a year and a half I had the honor of doing a 30 minute opener for Honeyboy and Curtis at U.S. Blues (a big hangout back in the day for the original Second City players..Belushi, Ackroyd, Murray..) I have some promo posters of that show that I cherish! 

Honeyboy was a character.  He'd go to the IV or V on a blues whenever the hell he felt like it and half the fun of going to a Honeyboy show was watching how his bandmates would cope with this! He had an amazing memory too! I'll miss him, his music, and his stage voodoo!

cheers,
Jim Conway

harp3333@xxxxxxxxxxx
www.jamesconway.net

www.youtube.com/jamesconway01



> Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 08:50:32 -0500
> From: michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] My Honeyboy Edwards story
> 
> When I was 21 I travelled Europe for a half of a year.  I was in
> England in a small town (Bath?)  And there were posters for a Honeyboy
> concert that night.  I went to the club but they were sold out.  I
> pulled out my 21 year old ego and demanded to speak to the manager.  I
> explained to him I was a serious harmonica player and I would get more
> out of the show than probably anyone in the audience and I deserved to
> be there.  I suggested a deal.  I would play a song for him.  If he
> didn't like it, I would go on my way.  If he liked it, he would have
> to find me a seat.
> 
> He said, "I don't think I am the best person to decide  that."  He
> took me in the club and introduced me to Honeyboy Edwards.  He
> explained the situation to Edwards who agreed to be the judge.  I
> played and of course if I had been terrible Edwards still would have
> let me in, but I think I was doing okay after after 6 years of
> playing.  Anyway, I got a great seat and got to see a legend.
> 
> I am not one for autographs, but somewhere in a collection is a ticket
> stub with "Honeyboy"  written on it, looking humorously like Homeyboy.
> Michael Rubin
> Michaelrubinharmonica.com