Jim Cobb, is the groups front man is guitarist/vocalist, whose influences range from the blues styling of Duke Robillard, Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, and Ronnie Earl, to classic rock aces like Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, and Mark Knopfler. His vocals embrace it all- from suave and sexy soul ballads to growling, strutting blues, to energetic interpretations of such greats as Van Morrison and Delbert McClinton, to jazzy scatting you might expect from George Benson. Jim is known to surprise the crowd with some subdued solo resonator slide, and then take right off with the full band into a rollicking Ray Charles number- with equal love for the entire spectrum illuminating his performance.
Rick Sims, is on the saxophone, is resident live-wire. Rick exudes enthusiasm as he honks and blows up magical leads, working his way through the crowd, leaving jaws dropping and heads spinning. His multiple saxes, all displaying an array of custom-designed feline patterns, conjure up such influences as Boots Randolph, King Curtis, Ace Cannon, and Doug James. Squeals and screams are heard nightly as the crowd is captivated by his face-to-face solos. Lately, Rick has added some ethereal, jazzy flute work and an old-time classic- a jug- not something often heard in the average club setting- both unique additions to the bands repertoire. Turn the sax man loose, and watch what happens.
Rodney Beal, is the steady-driving man on bass (who also happens to be a great drummer when the occasion arises). At times this multi-instrumentalist is found walking the bass line like a younger, thinner Willie Dixon- and this walk comes with a definite swagger. Sometimes youll find him holding a funky tapped groove like hes channeling Jaco Pastorious, and other times he may be alternating between soothing soul bottom lines and hard-hitting rock n roll panache. He's got the fire, the groove and the charisma- meaning he looks so darn cool doing it.
Valeron "Val" Nail, the bands "shot in the arm" hell of a drummer, is the "groove king" when performing.
Val started his music career at an unheard of young age; at four years old he was playing the piano, at five he got his first set of drums, and he's been mastering his craft ever since. Between school band programs and performing at christian events and just self determination, Val has emerged into a spectacular musician and composer.
Vals previous bands have varied from R&B to progressive trance-hop. His enfluences are The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, and Steve Gadd, to name a few. He went on tour with Little Milton on his last road gig in Texas before his death. Roll over Beatovan, here comes Val!
Sylvia Carrell,
Vocalist/percussionist, grew up singing along with her Patsy Cline albums, and piles of other records, ranging from Tommy Tucker’s bluesy “High-Heel Sneakers”, to the powerful David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears), to silky smooth Jim Reeves to pop-inflected Nancy Sinatra and Cher. She knew she loved the full, no-nonsense type of vocals the most, and as an adult, became enamored of the styles of Maria Muldaur and jump-blues showman Wynonie Harris, the growling gusto of Etta James and Koko Taylor, and the smooth, pure class of Sugar Ray Norcia (of The Bluetones, Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl) and Darrell Nulisch. (of Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, Ronnie Earl, Texas Heat, etc.) Now that her own singing has evolved into mixture of all the above, sprinkled with the inspiration of many, many more- she directs a lot of attention to the lyrics and overall “feel” of a song. A sucker for witty or biting words, she has also been known to gleefully co-write tunes with Diddley Squat guitarist Jim Cobb. She says it’s all inside, and it’s gotta come out- one way or another.
As for inspiration on the knock-rap-tap-shake side, Greg Piccolo’s one-time percussionist, John La Moia has really made the most lasting impression among all her heroes. His ability to syncopate and accent exactly the right spots, while leaving plenty of breathing room, delighted Sylvia enough to humbly attempt to emulate some of that tasteful approach. She sees her percussive addition to the band as just a “little color and spice for extra flavor”.
Influences
Booking Information
Doug Tackett
Road Dawg Touring Co.
303-670-9950
www.road-dawg.com
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long and plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also the negative side."
Hunter S. Thompson
Booking Information
Doug Tackett
Road Dawg Touring Co.
303-670-9950
www.road-dawg.comPimp My Profile
A Brief Summary of Diddley Squat's Status
No, the blues is NOT depressing! Diddley Squat welcomes you to the world of jumpin’ & swingin’ blues, geared towards lifting you and healing your soul, like blues music was intended from the beginning. Sure, they do their share of traditional delta slide and Chicago-style tunes, and they can get as low-down as a depressed a depressed shyster lawyer at the bottom of the Grand Canyon , but they do lean towards jump—because it makes you feel so good.
As a 3-time participant in Memphis’ International Blues Challenge, where Diddley Squat was sent as proud first-place representative of 3 different blues society sponsors, they’re ready to put on a show for you. This means they dress to respect their audience, and they don’t stand around going through the motions of playing tunes they’re bored with. If this band includes a song in their set list, it’s because they enjoy playing it. That makes a huge difference in what the audience sees and feels, compared to some other not-so-dedicated performers.
Go see Diddley Squat Blues Band at a venue near you, and you’ll see what we mean.
D Squat, "Pennis Ray" AKA Dennis Ray (Canton E.Tx. Jam) is Scamming Again.
All of 86'ds Family Members are wondering where did "Pennis Ray" (AKA) Dennis Ray of (Tha East Texas Scam Jam) around Canton Tx., get someones money to put up BOND & INSURANCE "IF SO" for hIS Annual Anal Ripoff Scam Jam this year.
The Canton City Counsel must have not Sprayed enough Insecticide last year on this DUNG BEETLE.... Spray & Spray AGAIN!
Contact The Canton Tx. City Counsel AGAIN as most of us did last year, that put a STOP to him working Musicians and cheating Everyone by Not Paying for their Services!!
"Comment back to 86'd if you have Tha Maracas to be heard" "Lets 86 this Scumbag for good"
"PASS Tha WORD Brothers & Sisters" ~TULTA MUNILLE~
Hello from across the gulf! Thanks coming over and visiting JAZZ BLUES FLORIDA, Florida’s online guide to live jazz and blues! We need all the good friends we can find to support good music, so sure to come back again to see the continued layout and content improvements that are planned. Please stop by and check us out at www. JazzBluesFlorida. com for state-wide show and club listings and sign up for our weekly email!
WE ARE VERY SAD... WE DON'T HAVE WORDS TO SAY ANYMORE... OUR SINGER AND DOBRO PLAYER ENRICO MICHELETTI IS DEAD. GOODBYE ENRICO KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!!
DS, Can & Will U Dare answer 86'd New Blog Question ? .... " WHAT'S NEXT ? " Visit 86'd New Posted Blog:_______________ WHAT'S NEXT ? *86 all Tha Muthers*