They say you must pay your dues before you can truly play the blues.
That commitment took Nanaimo native David Gogo to a crossroads when he opened for Albert Collins in Victoria in the early 1980s. Shortly after Collins invited him on stage to play with him, Gogo, 20 at the time, headed off to Texas to soak up the blues in one of its cradles.
B次元官网网址淚 went to see Albert play at AntoneB次元官网网址檚 in Austin,B次元官网网址� Gogo recalled. B次元官网网址淗e brought me on stage again and asked me what I was up to after the show. He said jump on the bus and come with me and I wound up playing a bunch of gigs with him in places like Kansas City, Madison, Wisconsin and Chicago. ItB次元官网网址檚 still crazy to think about that after all these years. Albert was really special, and I miss him a lot.B次元官网网址�
Whether opening for, playing with or just hanging out with legends like B.B. King, Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gogo has never forgotten how they always went out of their way to spend time with him.
B次元官网网址淚 look back now and so many of them are gone,B次元官网网址� Gogo said with sadness. B次元官网网址淪tevie was so young, others were older. I try to keep what they did for me in mind and make time for younger players whenever I can, passing the torch.B次元官网网址�
Thirty years into a career that has spanned 14 albums and Juno Award nominations, Gogo reflected on the challenges of balancing a career with the responsibilities of fatherhood.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been a single father for the past 10 years and spent a lot of time on the road,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been very fortunate that my sisters and my parents were always there for support when I was away.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 easier now that his son, Lincoln, is 18, Gogo admitted.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 pretty independent,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 like to joke that I always hoped he would be a musician but he took up the drums instead. HeB次元官网网址檚 started to learn guitar so he can write songs now, and thatB次元官网网址檚 very cool.B次元官网网址�
Fresh off a recent Maple Blues Award as guitarist of the year, Gogo is working on his next album.
B次元官网网址淭he last one, Vicksburg Call, is my favourite so far,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always exciting to get back to writing and work on new stuff. WeB次元官网网址檙e at the stage where weB次元官网网址檙e figuring out what weB次元官网网址檒l do, whether we want to push the envelope. Blues is a life experience, thereB次元官网网址檚 always room to grow.B次元官网网址�
Buoyed by hearing that Vicksburg Call is getting air time on local commercial rock stations as well as those devoted to blues, Gogo is looking forward to an upcoming gig at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e always enjoyed playing in Victoria, and IB次元官网网址檝e heard itB次元官网网址檚 a beautiful new facility,B次元官网网址� he added.
The fact the concert aims to raise money to start a scholarship in memory of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett made signing on an easy decision for Gogo. Beckett, a Sooke resident, was killed while on duty in a motor vehicle crash.
B次元官网网址淲e all heard the news and were shocked and saddened by SarahB次元官网网址檚 loss,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hether itB次元官网网址檚 police or fire, first responders put their lives on the line every day. When I was first approached, I wanted to help out right away.B次元官网网址�
Tickets for David Gogo at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre on May 20 are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Tickets and details are available at Langford City Hall, Langford Fire Rescue, Shoppers Drug Mart in Sooke, Russell Books, BiteZ Sandwich Shop, and IvyB次元官网网址檚 Book Store.
