One morning in the year of 1995, Brance woke up on the right side of his bed and decided to wear his Sunday best in the middle of the week. He grabbed his favorite pair of Levi's, his sundried Robert Johnson T-shirt and he drove on down the road in his pimped out black "Wild Child" Chevy. Unbeknownst to him, a "Muchacho Chicho" named Chacho woke on neither side of a bed for he hadn't slept a wink the previous night. He picked out his "cleanest dirty shirt", slipped his polished lucky rock in his pocket, and left the Rio Grande border for the bright lights of San Anto Texas. Looking for someone to write a couple of tunes, he saw a white boy wearing the R. Johnson tee. The two kids crossed paths and the rest "Will Be" history. Lorenzo "Chacho" Saldana and Brance "Pony Boy" Arnold have since been close friends and continue to write songs on a daily basis. ..........
Reply
Chacho & Brance (and their buddy Dennis) had the awesome experience of visiting Clarksdale, MS (home of the Delta Blues) and record at Jimbo Mathus' studio in Como, MS last summer. First they hit Como. They had to belly-up to a local bar in order to down a couple shots and beer because they were about to record with the a hero of theirs, Jimbo Mathus! Jimbo's studio, Delta Recording Service, had nothing but vintage, ol' timey instruments. Jimbo played on all 6 tracks and made them feel at home as they downed all the beers from their cooler and belted out their souful songs. What an introduction to Como, MS!!
Next, they stayed at the legendary Hopkins Plantation where Pine Top Perkins lived many years ago, enjoyed some regional blues at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero club and at Red's Lounge, visited The Crossroads on HWY 61 and the Delta Blues Museum, and grubbed down at several BBQ joints. One place in particular was unique, Delta Amusement...there they met the owner Bobby who ordered them as they arrived to go to the coolers of beer and serve themselves; ol' Bobby gave them a hospitable, cultural lowdown about Clarksdale as they quenched their thirst in the inviting air condition (a true relief from that incendiary Mississippi sun).
Next, they traveled on to Memphis! They hit Graceland, their awesome high-rise hotel with a killer pool (thanks to Dennis), and then to Beal Street for music, spirits, and grub. They got 'em mojo hands at a world famous store, ate burgers cooked in grease recycled from the 1920s, drank absinthe at a local pub, and heard one of the most amazing Hill Country-style Blues musicians playing a cigar box guitar...Richard Johnston. Next day, the whole way home, they didn't listen to a single note of music on the ol' radio...they just reveled in the bliss of their amazing, inimitable pilgrimage into the heartland of the Blues! Cheers to all God's children of the Delta Blues!! The EP they recorded in Como, MS, called "The Como Sessions," will be released this Summer!!!!!!!!
Reply
Great week! We had an amazing experience in Tyler, TX. The producers of Troubadour TX were so courteous & welcoming; we had an awesome room, an inspiring performance with a first class group of unbelievably talented songwriters at KE Bushmans Winery, and a songwriters' circle afterward at the hotel we will remember always. We did a TV spot, radio interview, and the performance will part of the series. Life truly is the ultimate experience! Cheers!
Reply
Chacho & Brance / Blog
A little Chacho persepective...
One morning in the year of 1995, Brance woke up on the right side of his bed and decided to wear his Sunday best in the middle of the week. He grabbed his favorite pair of Levi's, his sundried Robert Johnson T-shirt and he drove on down the road in his pimped out black "Wild Child" Chevy. Unbeknownst to him, a "Muchacho Chicho" named Chacho woke on neither side of a bed for he hadn't slept a wink the previous night. He picked out his "cleanest dirty shirt", slipped his polished lucky rock in his pocket, and left the Rio Grande border for the bright lights of San Anto Texas. Looking for someone to write a couple of tunes, he saw a white boy wearing the R. Johnson tee. The two kids crossed paths and the rest "Will Be" history. Lorenzo "Chacho" Saldana and Brance "Pony Boy" Arnold have since been close friends and continue to write songs on a daily basis. ..........
Reply
EP CD due out this Summer...
Chacho & Brance (and their buddy Dennis) had the awesome experience of visiting Clarksdale, MS (home of the Delta Blues) and record at Jimbo Mathus' studio in Como, MS last summer. First they hit Como. They had to belly-up to a local bar in order to down a couple shots and beer because they were about to record with the a hero of theirs, Jimbo Mathus! Jimbo's studio, Delta Recording Service, had nothing but vintage, ol' timey instruments. Jimbo played on all 6 tracks and made them feel at home as they downed all the beers from their cooler and belted out their souful songs. What an introduction to Como, MS!!
Next, they stayed at the legendary Hopkins Plantation where Pine Top Perkins lived many years ago, enjoyed some regional blues at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero club and at Red's Lounge, visited The Crossroads on HWY 61 and the Delta Blues Museum, and grubbed down at several BBQ joints. One place in particular was unique, Delta Amusement...there they met the owner Bobby who ordered them as they arrived to go to the coolers of beer and serve themselves; ol' Bobby gave them a hospitable, cultural lowdown about Clarksdale as they quenched their thirst in the inviting air condition (a true relief from that incendiary Mississippi sun).
Next, they traveled on to Memphis! They hit Graceland, their awesome high-rise hotel with a killer pool (thanks to Dennis), and then to Beal Street for music, spirits, and grub. They got 'em mojo hands at a world famous store, ate burgers cooked in grease recycled from the 1920s, drank absinthe at a local pub, and heard one of the most amazing Hill Country-style Blues musicians playing a cigar box guitar...Richard Johnston. Next day, the whole way home, they didn't listen to a single note of music on the ol' radio...they just reveled in the bliss of their amazing, inimitable pilgrimage into the heartland of the Blues! Cheers to all God's children of the Delta Blues!! The EP they recorded in Como, MS, called "The Como Sessions," will be released this Summer!!!!!!!!
Reply
Tyler TX Experience
Great week! We had an amazing experience in Tyler, TX. The producers of Troubadour TX were so courteous & welcoming; we had an awesome room, an inspiring performance with a first class group of unbelievably talented songwriters at KE Bushmans Winery, and a songwriters' circle afterward at the hotel we will remember always. We did a TV spot, radio interview, and the performance will part of the series. Life truly is the ultimate experience! Cheers!
Reply