Rythym and Blues enriched with electric and acoustic slide and dusty male vocals.

21 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Rockin' Blues, COUNTRY: Country Blues



Details:
Randy was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 7, 1955. He died in Shreveport on September 16, 2001.

Randy began playing musical instruments with his family as a child. His Blue Grass roots ran deep. Randy played in the movie "Soggy Bottom USA," along with his father and brother. He played the standup bass in the movie, but was featured on the soundtrack playing guitar.

Randy was nicknamed "Mountain Goat" for his custom of climbing to the top of the PA speakers to play his incredible guitar licks. Most folks just called him "Goat." It was an incredible sight to watch him flat picking "Under The Double Eagle" on his gold top Les Paul.

During the mid-1970's Randy was performing regularly, both locally and throughout Louisiana and Texas. He recorded his first album with the Caddo Band in the late 1970's.

A chance meeting with a doctor from the local medical school resulted in Randy playing for children in the hospital. The doctor took a tape of Randy's to New York while on vacation and played it for friends there. That led to a road trip to New York. Randy and a friend set off from Shreveport in an ancient Volkswagen Bus with only $90.00 to get them to New York, then Toronto and home again.

Randy returned to New York and played many shows but didn't care for the big city. Preferring clean mountain air to New York smog, Randy headed out west to New Mexico where he had the opportunity to work with many of the best musicians from all over the country. He recorded several albums with David Allen Coe. He toured with Claude King and Michael Martin Murphy. While working for Murphy, Randy performed twice at Carnegie Hall.

When Randy became ill he gave up playing his music. Then, his future wife and step-son gave him a D-18 for his birthday! Randy immediately began playing again and writing songs. His life was finally complete. He was sober, had a wife, a son and his music!

This CD is a collection of original songs which Randy wrote while waiting for a liver transplant. He was simply too sick to play live during that time.

Randy received a liver transplant in November, 2000. But after only a few months the transplanted organ began to fail. Randy died September 16, 2001 -- the same day that a compatible liver became available.

These songs were recorded at home and are basically demo quality. But the quality of Randy's music and his lyrics is rich. This CD was put together by Randy's widow to coincide with the second annual memorial concert -- "Goatstock," -- a 12 hour concert which was held in Randy's memory in October, 2002.

Those who played with Randy knew him as an inventive, vibrant player. His style has been described by some as "country and eastern." His skill on the slide guitar is legendary.

Randy will always be remembered by his peers as one of the true creative geniuses in his craft. His legacy will live on and give inspiration to others to come.