Blues Bash Interview: The Bluesers - Page 4

So, you're their music mentor?

I'm just sharing the music! But then again, that's what I do for a living.

As a professional musician, you mean?

There's that, but I'm also a school teacher at a private school these days.

What grade do you teach? What sort of program is it?

I teach grades 4-8. The neat thing about being at a private school is I've been given the opportunity to take the music lessons in all sorts of directions. I include music history, dig into different styles, take a look at various artists, you name it. The challenge is my students are super hip to music already. The area where I teach is pretty wealthy and these kids were raised to appreciate good music through the private school music programs. Again, that's one of the benefits of teaching here. In public schools, the music programs are always the first to go when budgets are cut.

Now what about the professional musician part of your life?

I started playing professionally in '92 and have played with Stu Heydon, Michael Pickett, Carlos Del Junco, Chicago Pete, Lee Oskar, Jeff Healey, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.

All that experience and the Bluesers are your favorite. Wow!

Yeah. Like I said, we have an awesome base to work from, and the drive, the passion, the talent, and potential is really something special. [Author's note: Planet Jazz writer Robin H.S. Munro called Branton "the cream of Canadian guitar-slingers," so it's safe to say Mike knows 'special' when he sees it.]

You know, it usually takes a band about eight years to get to the level the Bluesers have reach in three. Tell me there's not something special going on.

[Mike had to leave at this point and turned things over to John.]

John, I know you fielded a similar question earlier, but based on Mike's comments, what do you think the "special something" is? Is it Mike?

Mike can play! There's no doubt about that. We would have never been able to do what we've done without him. However, at the same time, everybody has a role, has a part [in our success]. All the pieces, like with a puzzle, create something bigger and better.

We've all worked very hard to earn our place in the blues scene. We keep working at it, too. Mike is light years ahead of Mikey, Chris, and me. He knows music theory, reads music, and we don't. But we've all made a commitment to play the best we can and stay open to the knowledge he shares. Always. We have to!

Article Author: Joan Hunt

Former Baywatch babe, Playboy centerfold, and stunt double for Abe Vigoda, Managing Editor of Blogcritics and member of the board of directors for BLUSD, Joanie juggles her love of words, music, photography, wildlife, and television with her greatest love -- her kids. …

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