THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND BRINGING MUSIC FROM THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD BY: PAUL LESLIE

DESCRIBED AS “ROCK AND ROLL ROYALTY” by Paul Shaffer on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” many say Derek Trucks is the best slide guitarist in the world. On stage, he may not appear like most rock stars. He remains absolutely still, appearing to play his music effortlessly. To the faithful, they were simply watching the Derek Trucks Band do what they always do…some of the best improvisational blend of foreign and American music. The dedicated can count on music that is never predictable, but always predictably refreshing and out of the ordinary. To those who had never seen the Derek Trucks Band, they were in for something they probably could not compare to much else. On April 14th, 2005 the Derek Trucks Band played at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia. The writer had the great pleasure to sit down on the tour bus for a talk with the master instrumentalist Derek Trucks. Derek Trucks has been performing his entire young life. Picking up the guitar at the age of nine and forming his first band at 12, he has accomplished more than many musicians do in thirty years. In 1999, he was asked by the Allman Brothers to join the band on lead guitar. Needless to say, he accepted. Rather than abandon his band, he juggles both projects—a feat that seems nearly impossible. The Derek Trucks Band’s album, “Live at the Georgia Theatre” has been nominated for Live Album of the Year for this year’s Jammy Awards. “Everyone in the band has played the Georgia Theatre, it almost feels like a house gig. We’ve been here so many times, that’s one of the reasons we chose to do the live record here. Always seem to have a good night. There have been some amazing shows to come out of the Georgia Theatre.” The band is heavily influenced by world music. Derek Trucks lists musical influences including Indian classical, and musicians from Pakistan, and Madagascar and “all over” Africa. “There’s a whole world of music to be explored and hopefully turn people onto…it’s one of the missions of the band.” The Derek Trucks Band has been touring the world, sometimes circling the United States two or three times a year. Despite the international flavorings, the Derek Trucks Band pulls music from all over America—the old and new. “There’s so much great music that’s been done, that people just completely skim over. A lot of the traditional music some of the hard-core Delta Blues stuff that we pull out, or the obscure jazz tunes, or even some of the obscure R&B tunes.” Trucks continues that this melting pot of influences is a great way to introduce younger people onto classical and world music. “It’s just a small way for us to tip our hats to the people that really influenced us. I think it’s important to hopefully carry the music forward, but you got to understand where your roots are.” The performance on April 14th was packed with enthusiastic fans, many giving into the world beat by dancing. The audience got an extra treat— the legendary Count M’Butu (who has worked with Widespread Panic, the Allman Brothers, Phish, Edwin McCain and others) on the conga. With an astounding variety of music, it is easy to see why the Derek Trucks Band is attracting such a diverse following. Good music is where you find it. That’s probably why people young and old and from many ethnic groups can appreciate what the Derek Trucks Band is doing. In a world full of bland music, the Derek Trucks Band is just too rare to pass up.

—For more information about the Derek Trucks Band visit http://www.derektrucks.com. Visit Paul Leslie’s home on the web at http://www.tropicalpleasuresmagazine.com. Stay tuned for an upcoming radio special exploring the Derek Trucks Band with special guest Derek Trucks and music from the April 14th performance.