Surprises abound: Never dismiss musicians

I was cruising YouTube looking for my favorite guitarist, Joe Pass, and I ran across a number of videos featuring him and, of all people, Roy Clark. Joe Pass is the consummate jazz guitarist, combining lightening-fast finger work, tons of tone and control, a melodic sense that amazes; everything a master jazz musician can ask for. And here he is playing with that fat guy from Hee-Haw? What’s up with that?

This is the Roy Clark I was familiar with. It’s the total package: corny trick-lyric country tune, predictable contemporary Nashville arrangement, strumming his guitar with no cord- in short, pure Hee-Haw material. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPYimEYrvNA

Now, I always knew Clark had serious chops. Here he is knocking out some fret board burning licks, but still in traditional country picker mode

Click HERE for video of Clark's finger prowess

But then I find these many videos with Pass. I was expecting Clark to be so totally out of his element that it would be embarrassing both to him and to the listener. Boy howdy! Was I wrong. Roy holds his own and is obviously held in great esteem by Joe.

So don’t dismiss musicians just because you think know what they’re all about and you don’t like what they play. You may be missing out on something great.

“You Can’t Judge a Book By Looking at the Cover”

Ellas Otha Bates aka Ellas McDaniel aka Bo Diddley