Blackdog evolved from a 1986 group called Raynes Park who's members included Jayson Tipp, Greg Farmer, Lee Bowers Bill Hesskamp, Ken Kase, Mark Huth, Scott Deboand other local St. Louis players. Progressive jazz - fusion was the focus. In 1987 much of the group moved out to other projects. Myself (Scott) and Bill Hesskamp decided to seek out a third man and try a power blues trio. Blackdog's first fruition was Bill on drums, Scott on guitar - vocals, and Carl Caspersenon bass.
We were soon joined by our former sax man Mark Huth, and began taking gigs around the bi-state area. Our first blues show was at the old Cardinal tavern on second street in Madison, Illinois, 1987. On the way to the gig, one of the guys asked, "What is the name of the band"? Realizing we had passed over this small detail, and not wanting to seem unprepared I spit out "The Blackdog Blues Band". Unlike most band naming sessions, the guys went for it, so it stuck.
Soon we would loose Carl and regain Greg Farmer on bass. Then in fall of 1990, the day Stevie Ray Vaughn died, we met Kirby Kelley, who joined on slide guitar. At this point the focus of Blackdog shifted to showcase Kirby and his extreme blues prowess. Later Mark would move on, and Kirby. That's when we met Jerry Dean and Mojo Tooth, and the most colorful new member of Blackdog, Blind Willy. Again the focus shifted to showcase this avante garde sax and trumpet powerhouse. Pamela Devine joined after sitting in on a magical evening at Union Station. Pamela was sharing the spotlight with Willy and and covering a good part of the vocals from a new perspective, total soul. Bill moved to nights on his day job, and in comes Kent Stone, first as a sub, then full time and Lee Bowers on guitar and vocals, and we were set for a while.
This was the line-up that recorded Blackdog's first CD, "Take Yo Time, Yo Paralyzen Me". Recorded at Smith Lee Studios and engineered by Steve Higdon, a digital picture of what we sounded like in 1995. After building an annual invite to Boomer's V.P Fair and Blues Festival summer shows outdoors, appearing LIVE on the air on KSHE radio's "Blue Monday" show, and the release of our first album, the 1995 season was capped off by opening the 5000 seat Regal Riverfront Ballroom on the New Years Eve bill with the "Queen of Blues" . . . Alligator Records star, Koko Taylor.
A couple of years of pushing the CD, playing around the bi-state area, some good airplay, and suddenly a horn section is born. . .enter Ben Henderson on trumpet. Ben and Willy blend almost instantly, and we begin to shift our sights to a more brass oriented sound. Not long after, Ben brings in Kurt Silver on trombone, now it's clearly a mutiny. The horns are here to stay. One night while sharpening these live horn chops on Main street in St. Chuck, a new sound cuts through the groove, enter Mike Dreyer on percussion and soon to share drumming duties with Kent. Now with a VERY full sound, we are moving toward something big, we can feel it.
We are set up in our studio, a self produced CD is just around the corner, it's late 1997, nine pieces strong, tracks have been layed . . ."I have an idea, let's fill the house with people, open all the studio doors, bring the fans in the room, mic it, and record an album" Hence, "LIVE at the Jackson Street Houseparty" recorded March 28, 1998. As soon as it was released, we were honored to be "Album of the Week" on KCLC FM 89.1 Blues from the Basement show on a Sunday night. More airplay from the classiest stations in town, WSIE 88.7, KDHX 88.1, and now being heard in 26 countries around the world.
All this and something is still missing. Good keyboards. A Good seasoned Honky Tonk Barrelhouse Stride Ride Two Fisted Ivory Slammin' Pianoman......enter.....Ed Synan. Just off the road with the Moe Bandy show, livin round' here and needin' a rhythm and blues fix. What a great addition Ed and Karen made to the group, Two nicer people you will NEVER meet. After about six years in the band, The Synans moved back doewn to Branson where Ed can be seen once again at the Moe Bandy show six nights a week. We sure do miss them, but we wish the best in life!
During the time that Ed played keys, we met another wonderful addition to the group...Susan Conner. She has added a vocal element that takes the band to new areas in music. Harmony and lead vox are no challenge for Susan. She is a great musician, guitarist, and a magic personality! Susan is featured on our Acoustic Trio album. She is working her way into the very heart of the band's show, preparing to lead many new songs for us vocally. welcome Susan!
Another recent addition has the band moving in new directions...and audiences in amazement. Tom Smith has finnally made it into the band. Tom has sat in many shows over the years, but now he has made the leap to a full time Dog. You cannot believe the screaming sounds of this guitar slinging giant. Not since Kirby Kelly has there been a guitarist so monumental in the band. Tom lays out lush tones that haunt the likes of Robin Trower, Eric Clapton, Jonny Lang, Stevie Ray, Dickie Betts, Tommy Bolin, Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore and others. We have to dip his Stratocaster into a bucket of water after every song.
Now most recently we have befreinded a great upcoming harp player named Zach who has been amazing us with a blues style harp that congers up memories of James Cotton, Little Walter and Charlie Musslewhite. we hope he will be able to play some shows and bluesfests with the band in the coming months.
Kent Stone has a job commitment that will take him out of town for a while and so we welcome original Blackdog drummer Bill Hesskamp back to the fold. Bill and his wife Denise helped to start all of this back in the Eighties. Bill has a funk pocket deeper than a coal mine. A rock solid and very creative percussionist that makes the band so solid and tight. Welcome Billy. Two other players we want to recognize, Kevin Rausher, and Daryl Whited. Kevin comes in on trumpet and brings a welth of St. Louis musical experience and a most creative sound to the horn section. we hope he gets more time with us. Daryl is also a local staple in some of the most popular bands in town and will help fill in on drums for us. These are both fantastic players, and we have only begun to scratch the surface of what they will mean to the band.It's actually a much longer story than that, and all the dozens of musicians that stay just out on the fringe of the regular show, so lets not forget all of the great players who we've had the great pleasure to share the stage with, though thier lives just don't allow them to play all the Blackdog Shows.... I hope I get them all. . . .past and present! Bill Hesskamp - Tom Smith - Bob McKeown - Kust Silver - Pamela Devine - Kirby Kelley - Jim Cook - Big Mike Villasenor - Steve Winter - Mike Parrett - James Riggins - Don Van Gels - Terry Melton - Matt Pence - Dave Farver - Rick Davis and those who have given thier time to help with booking, photography, bouncing, and roadie - ing. . . Jason Hampton - Dave "Hothorse" Couch - Gary Brown - Karen Synan - Jerry Dean - Wes Searcy - Danny Hommes - Jim "The Whales" Whaley
