Links

• EricSteckel.com
  Eric is Craig's former guitar student who has really made a name for himself worldwide. CTB and Eric are teaming up together in '08 for several tours in Europe as well as performances in Jacksonville, Fla., Chatanooga, Tn., New Hope, PA and the Sellersville Theatre in Sellersville, PA. Keep watching our Schedule page for more details.
• ScottBradoka.com
  Scott Bradoka is not only a fine guitarist/composer--and an all around nice guy-- but a great friend of CT's. Scott has appeared worldwide including an '06 European tour as the opening act for Jeff Beck. Check out his original instrumentals on his site. Scott and CT plan on doing some writing/recording together in '08.
• SimonesWorld.com
  Simone, the daughter of renowned song stylist Nina Simone, is absolutely one of the finest female vocalists out there today. She has had the lead in Broadway shows, including "Aida" and others and has performed worldwide. CT had the opportunity to record with Simone on her first solo album which will be released in Feb., '08. You can hear selections on Simone's website. CT will also be doing some work with Simone in '08.

RIP Mitch Mitchell

Fri, November 14, 2008

Wow, this is getting rough ... two former Hendrix drummers gone within several months of each other. I was very saddened by the news of Mitch's passing. I had the opportunity to meet him backstage at the Beacon Theatre in NYC after an "Experience Hendrix" show. He was so kind and gracious but didn't look really well. I am just happy to be able to say that we shook hands and that's about as close to anyone in the original JHE that I ever got to.

Mitch's drumming was so integral to the Experience's sound. A standard rock drummer would not have been able to capture the Jimi's ideas -- at least as we have come to know them. To be fair, I'll say it would just have been quite different. Just listen to the difference between Buddy Miles' playing with the BOG and Mitch's playing with the original Experience and you'll know what I'm talking about. Mitch used every drum, sometimes in a very subtle manner that was so effective to the overall mix. I've often stated that both JHE and Cream had the perfect drummers to fit their respective styles however, I don't think I'd have liked Mitch as much with Cream, and I don't feel Ginger's playing would have fit the Experience. Just an opinion ...

Mitch will be missed and now, all 3 members of the JHE are gone. It's a nice thought to think that maybe they are all together once again.