IotaNet
08-31-2006, 08:24 AM
http://www.dixontech.com/NABA/goff.jpg
About Leo -- in his own words ...
"In the beginning ... I got my first Bass, at age 13. It was a Kay hollow body, in the winter of 1962; along with a Mel Bay "Learn how to play the Bass" book. After about three enthusiastic months of studying the book and practice, I was able to pound out a few simple songs. I had not received any formal lessons, (which I probably should have done) but studied some books on Bass, and listened to records.
I wasn't old enough to get to many places where live music was being played, but by the time I was 15, I was playing with a group, and other groups in the Memphis area were forming, and places to perform were springing up all over town. This gave me the opportunity to hear other bassists, many of whom were much more experienced than I was at the time. This was exciting to me, as I could watch, and hear, what was being played.
Most of the older players were friendly and helpful, and would show me things and answer questions when I had the chance to speak with them. Often, if I would hang out at the music store long enough, I was able to learn a lot by just listening and watching the more experienced players.
As things progressed, and I continued to play with more groups and I’ve been gigging in the Memphis area since 1963.
I was the bassman for these Memphis bands:
* The Boogie Children
* Sound Project
* Castlemen (later known as Village Sound)
* The Jynx
* The Memphis Charms
* The Soul Syndicate
* Nightshade
* L.H. White & Ain't No Tellin'
* The Rapids
* New World
* Heatwave
... and probably some more I can't recall
I’m currently working with Bobby Lawson & Smokehouse, The Blues Healers, The Skydogs, Ms. Zeno,"The Louisana Mojo Queen", Victor Wainwright, and Johnny Holiday. I also have, or currently work with: Paul Wood, Jackie Johnson, Ronnie Milsap, Blind Mississippi Morris, Don McMinn, Maria Spence, Jeff Beck, Dennis Edwards, Phillip Dale Durham, Buddy Miles, Dan Penn, Guy Venable Jr., Eric Hughes & The Memphis Blues Society Band, The Coasters, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the John Weston Blues Band. My work can be heard on various Memphis produced albums/CD's.
Those who have influenced me are:
* James Jamerson
* Duck Dunn
* John Entwistle
* Tommy Cogbill
* Ray Sanders
As I mentioned previously, Memphis produced a lot of great musicians, especially Bass Players.
Some of the bass players that I feel have made a mark on the Memphis music scene are:
Tommy Cathey, Tommy Cogbill, brothers Bill and B.B.Cunningham, Duck Dunn, Zack Farley, Joe Gaston, Jim Johnson, Mike Leech,Wayne Russell,Ray Sanders, Dave Smith, Steve Spear, Mike Stoker, Guy Venable, just to name a few.
I always tried to learn and benefit from the interactions and playing styles of the many talented musicians I have had the good fortune to play and gig with. Memphis has produced some mighty fine musicians and groups, and I feel fortunate to have been associated, and continue to be working, with them."
About Leo -- in his own words ...
"In the beginning ... I got my first Bass, at age 13. It was a Kay hollow body, in the winter of 1962; along with a Mel Bay "Learn how to play the Bass" book. After about three enthusiastic months of studying the book and practice, I was able to pound out a few simple songs. I had not received any formal lessons, (which I probably should have done) but studied some books on Bass, and listened to records.
I wasn't old enough to get to many places where live music was being played, but by the time I was 15, I was playing with a group, and other groups in the Memphis area were forming, and places to perform were springing up all over town. This gave me the opportunity to hear other bassists, many of whom were much more experienced than I was at the time. This was exciting to me, as I could watch, and hear, what was being played.
Most of the older players were friendly and helpful, and would show me things and answer questions when I had the chance to speak with them. Often, if I would hang out at the music store long enough, I was able to learn a lot by just listening and watching the more experienced players.
As things progressed, and I continued to play with more groups and I’ve been gigging in the Memphis area since 1963.
I was the bassman for these Memphis bands:
* The Boogie Children
* Sound Project
* Castlemen (later known as Village Sound)
* The Jynx
* The Memphis Charms
* The Soul Syndicate
* Nightshade
* L.H. White & Ain't No Tellin'
* The Rapids
* New World
* Heatwave
... and probably some more I can't recall
I’m currently working with Bobby Lawson & Smokehouse, The Blues Healers, The Skydogs, Ms. Zeno,"The Louisana Mojo Queen", Victor Wainwright, and Johnny Holiday. I also have, or currently work with: Paul Wood, Jackie Johnson, Ronnie Milsap, Blind Mississippi Morris, Don McMinn, Maria Spence, Jeff Beck, Dennis Edwards, Phillip Dale Durham, Buddy Miles, Dan Penn, Guy Venable Jr., Eric Hughes & The Memphis Blues Society Band, The Coasters, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the John Weston Blues Band. My work can be heard on various Memphis produced albums/CD's.
Those who have influenced me are:
* James Jamerson
* Duck Dunn
* John Entwistle
* Tommy Cogbill
* Ray Sanders
As I mentioned previously, Memphis produced a lot of great musicians, especially Bass Players.
Some of the bass players that I feel have made a mark on the Memphis music scene are:
Tommy Cathey, Tommy Cogbill, brothers Bill and B.B.Cunningham, Duck Dunn, Zack Farley, Joe Gaston, Jim Johnson, Mike Leech,Wayne Russell,Ray Sanders, Dave Smith, Steve Spear, Mike Stoker, Guy Venable, just to name a few.
I always tried to learn and benefit from the interactions and playing styles of the many talented musicians I have had the good fortune to play and gig with. Memphis has produced some mighty fine musicians and groups, and I feel fortunate to have been associated, and continue to be working, with them."