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| Artist Statistics |
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Artistopia Rank : 13
Member Since : 11/2003
Last Login : 7/3/2008
Views : 50,404
Songs : 21
Events : 25
Alliances : 7
Releases : 2
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Artistopia URL :
http://www.artistopia.com/VJKingJr |
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| Latest Music By VJ King Jr | HeartBeat Australia |
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Ignition
Published Date : December 2006
Total Downloads : 444
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News Article |
Artist News Home |
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BLUES PILGRIMAGE |
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| Published on 12/7/2006 |
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| By Kim Humphreys |
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Some readers may recall a 13 yr old VJ King Jr at Shadoz 2005 – with trademark cap pulled closely over his forehead he gave us a stunning set of Blues, Shadows and Atlantics instrumentals, then dueted with Martin Cilia before giving us the "20 Fingers, One Guitar" routine with another young emerging talent, The Chet Atkins inspired Bryan Brown.
VJ and his dad have recently returned from gigs in Europe and England, the tales they had to tell so inspiring I had to ask the guys if they would mind sharing the account of their travels with 2G4W readers. Despite having to prepare for immediate Oz gigs within hours of landing back in Sydney, they selflessly obliged.
On the lookout for opportunities to introduce emerging young blues artist VJ King Jr to touring US blues artists ahead of a possible excursion to the US in 2007, booking agent Dee Le Blang emails news of Wolf Mail’s pending visit down under to the King camp, enquiring: “Are you available this week or early next to catch up with him?”
VJ and Wolf meet for brunch at the Greengate Hotel Killara (a leafy northern Sydney suburb) on Friday, March 31 and the rest, as they say, is now history.
Two days of band rehearsals at Noord Sound Studios (Rotterdam) follow VJ’s arrival in the Netherlands as Wolf’s European Tour backline, Chris Russo (drums - USA) and Michel Mulder (bass - Germany), fine-tune Wolf’s set lists for the performances ahead.
VJ’s mother was born in the Den Hague and, ironically, the first foreign soil he steps onto, is that of the Netherlands – a point not lost on the wide-eyed youngster from Sydney Australia as he walks from Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport proudly exclaiming “Wow… I’m in Holland!”
The ensuing two weeks are a learning curve of incalculable value. The rigours of life on the road being a far cry from those one-off, night or weekend assignments … hardly a single day/night to bed before 2:00 - 3:00am.
An early rise for breakfast, pack bags, pack van, several hours drive to the next gig, equipment drop, hotel check-in, back to venue for set up, sound check, dinner, show time, fan time, pack down and back to the hotel – a taxing, tiring cycle. Rest days are welcome, but vanish quickly.
European punters appreciate their visiting blues artists – studying every move and following every lick. They generally remain politely seated (or standing) in these various intimate ‘café’ or ‘club’ venues across Europe (most catering for 150-200) but certainly let loose on a good guitar solo and generously applaud each number.
The difference in styles (and maturity) between Wolf Mail and VJ King Jr is quite marked, yet their respective receptions are positive. Mail’s sets are noted for their raw energy. VJ is reserved by comparison. Mail works hard to win his audience ... CD sales and related merchandise are, of course, an important revenue item for a touring artist … and Wolf is one of many grinding their way around Europe’s numerous live music club and café circuits competing for a slice of the market.
Sadly, Europe comes to an end with the last of three sell-out concerts in Nice, southern France, and it is time to leave the distractions of the Côte d'Azur behind, head back north to where it all began, Amsterdam, and cross the channel for another, interesting series of engagements. One, in particular, comes as a complete surprise.
VJ’s invitation to the Walter Trout & The Radicals (Melton, UK) concert concludes with an introduction to Walter Trout. Trout had heard samples from VJ’s 2001 debut Shadow Of A Dream album and was sufficiently taken with his musicianship to invite “the Wunderkid” to sit in with the band at his next gig. (A little risky given Trout has never heard VJ play a blues note … but Trout is that kinda guy!) VJ is ecstatic.
It’s standing room only in Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms the following night and not a single floor tile is visible as punters squeeze into the venue, jostle for advantage positions, and crowd front of stage to hear the irascible Trout strut his stuff. A seasoned campaigner with a list of career credits reading like a Who’s Who of blues, Trout launches his fans into the outer blues stratosphere before pausing to welcome VJ to join him:
“I’m always interested in hearing the young guys who are gonna carry this [music] on to the next generation”, he said, “because they’re really important … and without some young people trying to play guitars and play blues and rock ‘n roll, and sing, what you’re left with is ****ing Britney Spears ! ”
Trout’s fans roar with humorous approval.
“… tonight, making his first appearance on English soil … all the way from Sydney, Australia … I’d like you to make him feel welcome … Mr VJ King Jr … bring him on ! ! ”
Dressed in black with trade mark cap, designer vest and wrist band, VJ emerges to be greeted centre stage with a solid Trout handshake – and another dream unfolds for a young man determined, ultimately, to join the ranks of successful touring professional artists.
Let loose for a 24-bar solo and, later, trading licks with the master craftsman in a powerful slow-rolling swampy blues vocal, When You Love Somebody, VJ gives it everything. The number ends with a rousing seal of approval from an enthusiastic crowd intent on letting the young guy know he is very welcome in the UK. Trout is generous with his praise, and after the show makes a point of wishing to cement his new found relationship with VJ:
“We must arrange an Australian tour … and we want you, VJ King Jr and band, to tour with us … I was in Australia in the early 80s with Canned Heat…. and I’d really like to re-visit.“
The Watford and North West Shadows guitar clubs follow next and, at both, the welcome mats are out along with an invitation to VJ to add his name to the whiteboard displaying the list of participating guitarists. The atmosphere is relaxed and both nights run smoothly. VJ’s arrangements of Wonderful Land and The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt, though slightly different by comparison to the originals, are well received – and supported by a flexible backline co-opted without notice from among the membership.
Shadows guitarists, here, are really ‘into’ the music – so, too, are some of their wives and girlfriends. A most unusual sight (for VJ, at least) observing partners, in a Shadows Club audience, tapping feet and bobbing heads. Great!
Cliff Richard’s Now & Then concert at Wembley Arena, London, on the eve of VJ’s Heathrow departure, is a classy show by any benchmark. VJ has difficulty sitting in an audience without feeling restless … itching to be up there, on stage, performing. Tonight is an exception. Tonight, the Prince of Pop is ‘hot’! – serving up an engaging 2-hour lesson in complete professionalism. It is a fitting end to an incredible four week adventure during which VJ travelled 24,000+ miles through seven countries, countless towns and cities, doing what he loves to do …. play guitar!
VJ King Jr is acutely aware there are many mountains yet to climb. And, yes, at 15, time is on his side. However, what is so encouraging for him about the music business, in addition to appreciative and loyal fans and friends, is that experienced climbers like Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Emmanuel, Ross Ward, Pete Cornelius, Wolf Mail and Walter Trout, are always there, reaching down to help out a young guy picking his way up the entertainment industry’s craggy, slippery slopes. ■ KH (2G4W)
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| Article Credits and References |
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Kim Humphreys - www.kimhumphreys.com
Wolf Mail - www.wolf-mail.com
Walter Trout & The Radicals - www.waltertrout.com
HeartBeat Entertainment - www.heartbeatentertainment.com.au |
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