Road Cage

Hello Buddy,
Really good to hear from you man! Would you believe my cat in the pic (almost 18 years old) is named “Buddy?”…. Now isn’t that a coincidence. BTW, I clicked on the “roadcage” and spent a good hour and then some reading and going over all the links, and reminisced… Where it all started for me too, was listening to your playing, I probably have told you that a dozen times. Anyway, I purchased “Where I Come From” and can really hear you good and your playin really cuts thru! Man, really like “Ghost Train Blues”, the effects and your playing are way ahead of the times. Nobody I know, doin that kind of stuff, it is special. I mean, it is “out there” in that play land of exploration and joy. Bet you have fun with that one. Could do it different every time you play it. Reminds me of why I liked your playing when it all started for me, was that your style is so unique, and I know it is you when I hear it!
I also really liked your playing on the REX Benefit soundcheck, “Absolutely Sweet Marie”. Very nice playing, yes yes yes….. Any chance that gig is on a CD or sumpthin?
Sure is good to hear your voice too, and the fun stories and jokes on the REX benefit. I’m still in the same trio, doin lots of our own stuff, which is so much more enjoyable, mostly play locally at Zou Zou’s in Chelsea Michigan. Gotta get back Saturday to play from 7-10pm there.
Headin to Athens Ohio for Christmas to see Sister Joan, and Bro-In-Law Dan Erlewine. Nice write-up on Flying V “Lucy” he made for Albert King, in “Vintage Guitar” June 09 issue, axe now in possession of Steven Seagal who has all Albert’s “V”’s.

Here it is in pic below getting cleaned up down in his basement in Ohio, before Seagal’s boys picked it up, two winters ago. I remember when Dan built that in his basement, I was baby sitting for them at the time! Albert played it for 20 years before he passed on.
Albert played at the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival, Dan and I were bartenders backstage, he poured em, I stocked em. (I was 16 I think). Dan was building guitars then, approached Albert and said I want to make a custom Flying V for you. He also made a custom Strat for Jerry too, I met Gar when he picked it up in St. Helena CA. That too was an interesting vacation, back in 72. Pic of it below. My oh my….
Well, today was Buddy Cage day around here! Thanks for making it a great day Buddy, I am going to listen to “Where I Come From” some more…
Always, Mark