My pappy said “son you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’
if you don’t stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln ” ...
(cue the guitars)
Chances are if you are a baby-boomer and you hear the opening sentence above; your brain will immediately follow with the world famous boogie-woogie guitar line played by Bill Kirchen of Commander Cody fame.
It is easily one of the most recognizable guitar parts of all time and the man who invented it will be at the Sid Williams Theatre on April 21 as part of the inspired collaborative ‘six-string-slingers concert’ entitled ‘The Mighty String Thing.’
Austin’s Bill Kirchen will be there along with Nashville native Mark Stuart who has toured as guitarist for Steve Earle, Stacey Earle, Steve Forbert and Freddy Fender among others.
Canadian guitarists will include string genius Kevin Breit whose musical talents have landed him stints with everyone from kd Lang to Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Lou Reed and yes, even Celine Dion among others.
Montreal’s Cécile Doo-Kingué has been compared to artists as wide ranging as Tracy Chapman and T-Bone Walker; she’s a masterful blues guitarist and a stunning singer/songwriter who is finally starting to gain notice worldwide as one of Canada’s great talents.
Rounding out the group are two local players whose careers have seen them jam with the likes of folks from Jimi Hendrix to Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. From stints with Long John Baldry to hosting a jam in NYC in the hazy 60’s; Cumberland’s Doug Cox and Powell River’s Sam Hurrie have both had very colourful careers and are excited to add the Mighty String Thing to their lists of musical experiences.
“The point of the String Thing is for us all to get together and have fun on stage trading licks and sharing songs along with stories,” says Cox. “It isn’t going to be a serious, staid show like so many of the guitar-in-the-round tours... we are going to have some fun!!”
The show is a co-presentation of the Sid Williams Theatre and VI MusicFest. Advance tickets are recommended and are available at the Sid box office.