Buddy Whittington plus Jim Kirkpatrick
Sun 07 Apr 2013
At 08:00 PM
Artists Performing:
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A lifelong Texan, Buddy Whittington 'entered the arena' on December 28, 1956, in Fort Worth, and became enamored of the electric guitar like countless kids of his vintage shortly thereafter, who were mesmerized at the reality that 'you plucked a string...'here', and the sound came out...'over THERE.'
Mr. and Mrs. Whittington were big fans of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Probably the biggest influence in young Bud's musical makeup was the record collection of his big sister, encompassing everything from British Invasion bands to R&B hits of the day, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Beatles, Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to 'The Temps and The Tops', Gary 'U.S.' Bond, Jimmy Reed, and Slim Harpo.
A succession of fledgling musical efforts with varying degrees of success ensued, culminating in an offer by John Mayall to join The Bluesbreakers in 1993.
"The band I was in at the time, 'The Sidemen', had a good friend in Mr. Jerry Thompson, who these days is President of Promoterline Inc., but back then was managing the Dallas Alley complex, where he would book us as the opening act on any number of outdoor events and shows, and we were booked as the opener for a Bluesbreakers' show.... Mr. Mayall asked me for my contact info, we stayed loosely in touch for the next two years, and when then-Bluesbreakers guitarist Coco Montoya decided it was time to hit the highway on his own, I 'received the call' and appeared on countless Mayall shows and recordings worldwide for the 15 years between 1993 and 2008, at which time the existing Bluesbreakers were 'kicked out of the nest' and the band was reformed by Mayall."
Buddy's self-titled solo CD appeared in 2007, and has garnered very favorable reviews and considerable airplay. The CD, recorded at Hurricane Sound in Garland, Texas by engineer / producer / drummer / 'ubertalentedmultiinstrumentalist' Mike Gage, features performances by Gage, longtime bassist Wayne Six, co-guitarist Michael 'Mouse' Mayes, and this configuration makes up the core of the current working band. 'We can play just about anything we need to between us, as we have all 'played in different bands together' for years, and really enjoy working with each other.' says Bud, who is currently writing songs for his second solo outing.
Renowned guitarist and musician based in Cheshire, England. With 16 years of professional experience Jim has become an in demand session player, writer and performer.
Jim has been the lead guitarist with legendary British classic rock band FM since 2008 appearing on the recent album 'Metropolis' and co-writing the recent UK radio hits 'Hollow' and 'Bring Back Yesterday' which were both playlisted on BBC Radio 2 in 2010. FM have toured the UK and Europe over the last couple of years playing at some of the worlds biggest and most prestigious rock festivals and have also supported some of the biggest names in music.
As well as releasing his own album 'Changed Priorities' in 2006 Jim has played guitar for singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore on and off since 2003 and toured Europe and the USA with her extensively as well as appearing on many of her albums.
Jim has also been onstage right hand man to former Whitesnake guitarist and hit songwriter Bernie Marsden since 2006 recently collaborating with him and several members of the late Rory Gallaghers band on a tribute to the legendary Irish guitarist.
Jim has performed all over the world and appeared at major festivals including Download, V 2004, Graspop, T In The Park, Sweden Rock, Cropredy and the Calgary Folk Festival.

