Glenn Patrik - The Blues Gangsta!
It would be too much to say all of Bangkok fell in love with the Blues Gangsta Glenn Patrik when he touched down a few weeks ago and stayed to deliver a truck load of genuine American blues to willin’ crowds. But shit, we miss the man and his rare authenticity.
He is a journeyman blues traveller and it’s a poor judge of music and the blues who tell us that such-and-such in Dudsville does the licking stick better.
And I am here to tell you that this dude is respected in blues circles in America where no pretender would ever fear to tread.
We spent some time with Glenn naturally while he was here, and he gave us a bit of background about his road to the heart of the blues.
I was raised on a dead-end street at the St. Margaret’s Federal Housing Project in Kansas City, Kansas, also known as Crimedotte County. That name was derived from the general attitude of the local, and surrounding, population of Wyandotte County, Kansas and has been around as long as I can remember.
Crimedotte County includes Kansas City, Kansas and a few more choice cities inhabited by people doin’ whatever they have to do to get by. Some might say that it’s a bit rough up in there.
In the neighborhood I was from, the musicians pretty much played Soul and The Blues, and so did I.
I performed on violin at my first major venue, the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Hall, when I was eight years old, and saw Janis Joplin perform at the same auditorium four years later. The year that I saw Janis was also the year(age twelve) that I started getting paid (on guitar) for the shows that I did.
It looks like I’m here to stay!
After years of performing as a vocalist, guitarist, and (in some cases) arranger in the bands of many Blues Greats such as Little Hatch & the Houserockers, Ray Drew, Chick Willis, The 39th St. Blues Band, Dan Doran, The Blues Notions, Marcia Ball, Sherman Robertson, Lee McBee, Rich Hill, Diane “Mama” Ray, Horace Washington, Anetta “Cotton Candy” Washington, H&M BBQ House Band, Abb Locke, Leon Estelle, Millage Gilbert, Lefty Dizz, George Baze, David Basse’s Rhythm Society, Guy Forsythe, Ernie Locke, Kelley Hunt, The B.W.B. Band, Brody Buster, K. C. Bottoms Band, Joe Houston (also spent a year on the road with the great jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany), and so many more.
If I were to list all of the known name musicians that I have jammed with, it would wear us both out…(Editor: err…let’s not forget Buddy Guy!)
I’ve spent the last thirty somethin’ years tryin’ to show up early, look sharp, and deliver the guitar sound that the boss was lookin’ for. As you might imagine, I have plenty of my own ideas. These ideas about the progression and sound of contemporary blues, have influenced the direction that I’m now following. There are a few examples on my new CD “MR. BLUES JR.” on the Shakehouse Records label for your listening pleasure.”
“MR. BLUES JR” is now available at CDBaby.com/cd/glennpatrik, itunes, IndieRhythm.com, CDMojo.com or ask for it at your favorite music retailer.
You could drop by www.myspace.com/glennpatrik of course and if you like it, please let Glenn know…and tell anyone else that might be interested!