Most unusual request while playing out? David Allan Coe
Name two songs you’d love to see on your “To Learn” list: Life Beyond L.A , by
Ambrosia, Fooling Yourself, by Styx
Most tiresome request at a gig? Freebird
If you went to hell, what song would be played over and over? Freebird
What is your advice to up-and-coming musicians? Practice, Practice, Practice
Describe yourself in three words: Kid at heart
Email address: Moxieville@aol.com
Name two songs you’d love to see on your “To Learn” list: Life Beyond L.A , by
Ambrosia, Fooling Yourself, by Styx
Most tiresome request at a gig? Freebird
If you went to hell, what song would be played over and over? Freebird
What is your advice to up-and-coming musicians? Practice, Practice, Practice
Describe yourself in three words: Kid at heart
Email address: Moxieville@aol.com
| Welcome to Spotlight! ....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show! 3/29/07 Vol. XI |
| Name? Jim Burger Birthday? August 24, 1959 |
Current band? Double Shot
How did you end up in your current band? I tried something
different this time. Normally, you find the best musicians,
and start a band. This time I looked for musicians that were
not only good, but were good people, people I could get along
with, and see myself working with for a long period of time.
different this time. Normally, you find the best musicians,
and start a band. This time I looked for musicians that were
not only good, but were good people, people I could get along
with, and see myself working with for a long period of time.
| The strange thing is that it really did not take as long as I thought it would. I had played with Devin Hogan (lead guitarist in Double Shot) for about a year or so, and that’s where it started. I called Ed Strauss (aka Spyder, bassist in Double Shot), who I had played with in 1979, and suckered him into my evil plan. Now I have two nice guys to work with. Sammy Romano recommended we talk to Rob Garuccio. He’ s a great drummer and a nice guy as well. We started as a four-piece band. By some fluke of nature, Rob’s wife Becky worked with George Yunis. Rob came to rehearsal one day and asked if I knew him. George was always my favorite singer. He agreed to sing at a benefit with us, and wound up staying. I’ve played in a few bands in my time, and they’ve all been fun. But nothing like this one. I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had playing with some of the nicest guys around. They are a hoot. |
Previous bands?
Now and Then,
Moxie, Azure Blue,
Pegasus, Sweet
Evil, and I could go
on, but let’s not.
Now and Then,
Moxie, Azure Blue,
Pegasus, Sweet
Evil, and I could go
on, but let’s not.
Instruments you play?
This is a loaded question.
I attempt to play guitar
and keyboards.
This is a loaded question.
I attempt to play guitar
and keyboards.
Why did you choose these instruments? That’s a good question. I don’t really know why, but I
always thought the guitar was a cool instrument. As for the keyboards, I always wanted a keyboard
player in the band. Singers and keyboard players are hard to find, so I bought some keyboards and
stand behind them with my guitar.
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why you like or use certain things. Just like
everyone else, you can never have too much equipment. I go through phases. For the past few years I’
ve been playing a Fender American standard stratocaster. This is my third one, so it’s the charm. I
play out with a 40 watt, custom Vibrolux reverb amp, and an ever-changing line-up of stomp boxes. I
have a number of other Fender amps, And a Marshall JCM 800 50 watt combo amp that I’ve modified.
It’s too loud to use in the bars. I have a Tele-Caster custom, a Musicmaster, an Ibanez RG-550, a
1975 Precision Bass, an Ovation 6-string acoustic, and a Yamaha 12-string acoustic.
always thought the guitar was a cool instrument. As for the keyboards, I always wanted a keyboard
player in the band. Singers and keyboard players are hard to find, so I bought some keyboards and
stand behind them with my guitar.
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why you like or use certain things. Just like
everyone else, you can never have too much equipment. I go through phases. For the past few years I’
ve been playing a Fender American standard stratocaster. This is my third one, so it’s the charm. I
play out with a 40 watt, custom Vibrolux reverb amp, and an ever-changing line-up of stomp boxes. I
have a number of other Fender amps, And a Marshall JCM 800 50 watt combo amp that I’ve modified.
It’s too loud to use in the bars. I have a Tele-Caster custom, a Musicmaster, an Ibanez RG-550, a
1975 Precision Bass, an Ovation 6-string acoustic, and a Yamaha 12-string acoustic.
| Age you started playing? Another loaded question. I’m quite sure my band mates would like to answer this one. I’m not really sure when I got my first guitar, maybe 11 or 12. I attempted to take some lessons in the 1980’s . That lasted for two lessons. I’ d already been playing out for some time, and you’ve heard about the old dog and new tricks. Technically I’ve had 1 hour of guitar lessons. My mother was an accomplished piano player who tried to teach me as well as my brother and sisters, but none us would sit still for any of it. If I could rewind back, I’d do it the right way, that’s for sure. I was in the high school band for a short time, playing the trumpet. The band director felt I’d do better in study hall, and kicked me out. |
When was your first gig, and were you paid for it? It was July 4th 1976, playing on the baseball
field in Valley City, Ohio. I'm pretty sure we didn’t get paid (at least I didn’t ).
What is your favorite piece of music to perform and why? Anything I can sing with George.
Influences? The Beatles, The Police, Genesis, Yes, Alex Harvey
Favorite local artist? My Three Sons, Billy Sullivan, Cy Sulak, BMZ, Twist, Big Zipper
Favorite venue to play ? The House Of Blues in Cleveland, The Mad Cactus in Strongsville, And The
Parma Tavern
field in Valley City, Ohio. I'm pretty sure we didn’t get paid (at least I didn’t ).
What is your favorite piece of music to perform and why? Anything I can sing with George.
Influences? The Beatles, The Police, Genesis, Yes, Alex Harvey
Favorite local artist? My Three Sons, Billy Sullivan, Cy Sulak, BMZ, Twist, Big Zipper
Favorite venue to play ? The House Of Blues in Cleveland, The Mad Cactus in Strongsville, And The
Parma Tavern
| Who would you like to perform with? Two of my sons are gifted guitarists. I look forward to performing with them again. Music or artist you really like to listen to? Genesis and Yes are two of my favorites, but I like a lot of 80’s music. New artist you admire? John Mayer What bands today could you see being around in 25 years? John Mayer What were your first three albums ever owned? Alex Harvey (Framed), Mott the Hoople (All the Young Dudes), and Rush’s first album. Five CDs you can’t live without? Yes Songs, Genesis (Three Sides Live), Toto’s first album, The Beatles (Revolver) & (Rubber Soul) |
Most embarrassing thing in your CD collection? Glen Campbell’s Greatest Hits.
Favorite movie? Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Favorite television show? Green Acres
Your last meal on earth? Anything my wife cooks. Nancy’s a great cook.
Do you collect anything? Yes. Everything. Antiques, guitars, amps, etc.
Book that everyone should read? Anything by Charles Dickens
Favorite movie? Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Favorite television show? Green Acres
Your last meal on earth? Anything my wife cooks. Nancy’s a great cook.
Do you collect anything? Yes. Everything. Antiques, guitars, amps, etc.
Book that everyone should read? Anything by Charles Dickens
Who are your heroes?
My sons, and the guys in
Double Shot.
What’s in your CD
player right now?
Steely Dan ( Pretzel
Logic)
First cut on your
dream mix CD? Fooling
Yourself by Styx
My sons, and the guys in
Double Shot.
What’s in your CD
player right now?
Steely Dan ( Pretzel
Logic)
First cut on your
dream mix CD? Fooling
Yourself by Styx
What do you do
in your day job?
I install and
service
surveillance and
security systems,
and I also repair,
upgrade, and
modify guitar
amplifiers.
What do you like
to do in your
spare time?
Anything to do with
music.
in your day job?
I install and
service
surveillance and
security systems,
and I also repair,
upgrade, and
modify guitar
amplifiers.
What do you like
to do in your
spare time?
Anything to do with
music.
| Relate a funny or outrageous story from a gig. This could be a story from any given Friday or Saturday night we play. What a lot of people don’t realize is that watching the audience is very entertaining for the musicians. There’s a lot going on out there. One night I was playing a club in North Canton (the club is still open so I won’t name names). One of the customers had one (or 8) too many. Instead of escorting him out, two guys picked him up by the arms and legs, kicked open the door and threw him right out on the sidewalk. I thought I was in the old west. Now that’s entertainment. Favorite website? After the Gig (seriously) |
