Buzzy Carlyle - Bring Yo Axe

Buzzy Carlyle continues to improve his health after years of drug use, alcohol, and tobacco use nearly killed him. He lives in a retirement community with attending nurses. Of course all of this costs money, and in the beginning he had not only a Doctor that saved his life throught cardiac surgery, but a devoted blues fan that paid his way. Buzzy's not a big fan of 'bein' on the damn dole' as he says, but the Doctor has committed himself to Buzzy's care for whatever years he's got left. The Doctor is a blues   fan, and helped get Buzzy back playing after all his illnesses.

The word is out, and Buzzy has many visitors. Some of his old blues cronies, some just fans, and some that want to learn  how to play the blues. One of his favorite students is Leroy 'Hambone' Riley. He's already got a local reputation from playing in blues clubs, but he knows Buzzy's got some things to show him. Hambone told us this story about Buzzy as a teacher:

Now ol' Buzzy can be kind of cantankerous, 'specially if you go there to just pick his brains and steal his licks.  I was waitin' in the hall outside his room when he tied into the guy ahead of me. Don't know what he done, but whatever it was pissed Buzzy off big time! Never heard so much cussin' in my life, and I been around some first class swearers! He done everything but bash the guy in the head with his guitar, and the guy threw the door open and 'bout knocked me down as he left. 

Buzzy was still hot, and he told me "Get yo ass in here, boy!" Man, the way he said it just chilled me to the bone. He really wasn't hollerin', his voice was low like a foghorn and his eyes bugged out. I almost turned around and left, was half afraid to go in there. He waved his hand at me and said, "Ya hear me, goddammit! I said get yo ass in here! Ya being yo axe?" Thankfully I had my guitar with me still in its case. So I nodded, picked my guitar up and went it.

Soon as I got in and sat down, he calmed down. "Sorry 'bout pitchin' such a fit, son. Man before you only wanted me to play so he could steal some of my licks. Didn't even hear him play, just kicked him out!" He wheeled his wheelchair c;loser to me and shook my hand. "Now, boy, ply me somethin'. Don't try to impress me, don't be flashy, just be yourself. Gimme an idea what you got inside you."

So I played and sang a song I'd written. When I was done he just waved me to continue. I ended up playing for a solid hour, and afterwards he gave me his opinion, lucky for me most of it favorable!

Buzzy's told us about Hambone, and we're setting up an audition for him soon. 

Young ones come wanna learn the blues 

Some got good enthusiasm 

Some think they know all of the rules 

Damn, they play like they got the spasms! 

 

Some of ‘em gone to music class

 I say more power to ‘em 

I don’t care if they never passed 

I’ll listen and try to help ‘em 

 

The blues is more than the music

 It’s what lies deep within yer soul 

The vibrations of life itself 

Of all of your love that got stole

 

 I ‘member when I was so young 

I was the smartest man on earth! 

Took me a lotta songs I sung 

To make me learn my real worth! 

 

 Ain’t nothin’ at all that could hurt me, 

No addictive stuff would either 

Live through things that happen to me 

I’d stay alive, be a breather 

 

Blues is the thing, kept me alive 

After the Doc done give his all 

The vibrations of life itself 

Of all of the love that you stole 

 

 I invite all of you don’t be shy! 

I got the whole day to relax! 

Can chew the fat, and wonder why 

In my room and compare the facts 

But if ya wanna learn the blues

 I’ll take all the questions you ask 

But one thing that I ask of you 

Don’t forget to bring your axe! 

 

Ya’ll might have to wait in a line 

Seems like lots wanna learn the blues 

But if somebody won’t let ya in 

Tell ‘em Buzzy’s expectin’ you!