Big Pete Pearson is Arizona's King of the Blues. He has ruled the Phoenix blues bars since the late 1950's.
His physical stature and overwhelmingly strong voice command attention. Off stage, Pete can be found with a snifter of Christian Brothers brandy in hand as he joyously greets his many fans.
He is a father figure to many local bluesmen and blueswomen who have cut their teeth playing in his band. Though highly regarded locally, Big Pete's greatness is still one of Arizona's best kept secrets.
Today, you'll find Big Pete backed by four of the nation's finest young blues entertainers. Each is a master blues musician.
Born in Jamaica on October 4, 1936, Big Pete landed in Phoenix by way of Austin, Texas. He was raised by his grandparents in St. John's, a Baptist community just outside Austin. His grandfather was a minister and his grandmother ran a local mission. "I kinda got on my own at an early age and I was into music full force. I've always loved music," Pete says.
His grandparents arranged for piano lessons. "I despised the piano, but I took lessons anyway because it was music and I didn't care." He eventually learned how to play guitar and bass.
"My grandma was the one who taught me to use my voice," Pete says. She would sit me down and teach me how I should express my words. She told me, "When you hit a high note, you turn it loose...you bring it from here'"..he rubs his ample belly.
He was known as L.P. Pearson in Austin and played his first gig at age 9 at the Triple J, a local beer joint. His grandparents thought he was playing guitar and singing with a spiritual group at the church.
Big Pete was a regular at the juke joints on the east side of Austin such as The Victory Grill, Charlie's Playhouse, Big Mary's Bar & Grille, Ernie's Chicken Shack and Sam's Showcase. "Playing in the jukes was dangerous, dangerous, man, real dangerous," says Pete. "But I played them anyway and those were my up days."
Pete played the three string bass with the Jets, fronted by Blues Boy Hubbard, and frequently sat in with T.D. Bell and the Cadillacs.
Big Pete's cousin is the famous W.C Clark.
Pete was a major influence to his now famous cousin W.C. Clark, who said in an interview:
"I had a cousin -- I've got a cousin -- Big Pete Pearson. He was my biggest influence. He was already singing the blues, and playing the blues, and he got me into it. I followed in his footsteps. He's still going, and I am, too."
W.C. adds, "Big Pete is a man that has a lot of little boy in him and is so full of jolly."
Big Pete first came to Phoenix in the late 1950's and settled in the mid 60's. The late Duke Draper gave Big Pete his first gig in the desert. Big Pete went on to join and record with Jimmy Knight and the Knights of Rhythm. These vintage sides though never issued should see the light of day on a Phoenix R&B anthology that is forthcoming on the German Bear Family label.
From the 1970's on, Big Pete fronted a number of bands with a variety of names~~Driving Wheel, The Detroit Blues Band and the Blues Sevilles. His bands not only maintained Pete's high blues stature but would be both a camp for experienced veterans and a training ground for up and comers.
Band alumni include saxophonists Bernard Williams (of Dyke And The Blazers fame), Bob Tate, Fred Robinson and Emerson Carruthers, guitarist T.D. Bell, Lucius Parr, Scotty Spenner and Tommy Dukes, harmonicist Bob Corritore, keyboardist Dr. Fish and drummers Elmer Scott and Delmar Stewart, to name a few.
Big Pete has worked with blue legends Ray Charles, BB King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and others.
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4-18-2010 Get your 420 started early with Potluck, Big Syke of O.U.T.L.A.W. Immortalz, Property Six and more at Chaser's: 8005 E Roosevelt St. Scottsdale, AZ
4-23-2010 Check out Sponge:the performers of 90's hits "Molly" "Wax Ecstatic" & "Plowed," with Property Six and Halfnum at 910 Live located at 910 N McClintock Rd in Tempe, AZ.
Hi....Welcome, and thanks for dropping by our site for a visit. Thank you too for the add, and for the friendship.
If you'd like to know a little more about our band, Slick Nickel, go to www.slicknickelyumaaz.com and hey, if you've got a minute, check out our CD, "MAGIC" at www.cdbaby.com/cd/slicknickel We appreciate your support.
Here's hoping you have a fantastic week. Come back and visit again.
P6 stoppin by to let you know the 3rd annual SMOKE PHATTIES DAY is right around the corner! Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, DGAF with Queen Esther & many more at The Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe, AZ. Saturday March 13th - All Ages - 6pm MEET SEN DOG AT SUBURBAN UNDERGROUND CLOTHING X-TREME MEET DGAF AND QUEEN ESTHER AT IT'S ALL GOODZ TEMPE Check the fliers for all details. Hit us up for tickets & info! GET YOUR GREEN TICKET TODAY!
Welcome to the Arizona office of Blastzone Entertainment. Blastzone is commited to offering bands that are talented and worthy of attention but, would not otherwise be given the chance by the large corporate music industry, a chance to have their music be made worldwide through distribution. In the last ten years the music business has changed dramatically now making it possible to have your CDs sent out to retailers without the need for a record label. Blastzone Entertainment is a path to which good bands can now have their music sitting next to bands like Metallica in the music section of retailers worldwide. If you are a band or artist that feels that you are better than just being the "weekend warrior bar room hero", send us a message and we will get to you the details of taking your act to the next level.
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Come check out Ladiebug's birthday show on December 4th...GREEN BUDS AND JAM 3!!! Featuring P6 with DJ Madd Rich from 101.5 JAMZ! This show WILL be a freakin' blast! Tickets are buy one get one free! Check the flyer for details. See ya there!
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What's up!? Just wanted to let you know what was going on with P6! Our 9th anniversary show is this Halloween! We will be playing with Bulletboys (Smooth Up in Ya back from the 80's!), Bionic Jive (AZ's resident old-school rap/rock soldiers!) and more at The Platinum Club inside Skye.
Also we're finally recording new tracks! Keep an eye out in November for our 2 track EP featuring songs off our upcoming new album "The New Amerikan Idols." Thanks for being our friend and don't be afraid to leave some love for us...Ladiebug and the rest of the band always like to make a personal response ;-) OneLove Sixers!!!
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