CHUCK BOONE
Chuck Boone is a veteran guitarist and vocalist from southern New Jersey who's musical taste is deeply rooted in The Blues,Classic Rock,and Classic R&B.This is very much evident when listening to the repertoire of his band which has come to be recognized as one of the tightest and strongest trios in the south Jersey area.At any time during the course of an evenings engagement this band of powerhouse rockers will do a song by Jimi Hendrix followed with a song by Wilson Pickett or Elvis Costello which may in turn be followed by a Beatles song followed with something by Bad Company or Otis Redding followed with something by Neil Young or the Moody Blues.
Although The Chuck Boone Band covers a broad span of classic music from Led Zeppelin to Sam And Dave and U2 to Grand Funk or Solomon Burke the one aspect they really take pride in is that they play songs not played by other classic rock club bands.Many times,says Chuck,Someone will come up to us after weve played a set or at the end of the night and say,Man,I was blown away when you guys played Kashmir because NOBODY plays that song!!! The same thing happens when we play Wont Get Fooled Again by The Who or Day Of The Eagle by Robin Trower".For Chuck,this is why the music is the prime motivating factor with this particular band.
I believe that many musicians reach a point in their careers where they no longer want to compromise or settle for just anything and they come to a place where they know exactly what they want to do and just how they want to do it.But in a band situation one cant do that because everything is compromise or give and take.Everything from deciding on a name for the band,to the type of material you will or will not play,to the type of places where you will or will not perform.
Speaking for myself,I had been playing in bands since I was fifteen years old.Sometimes things would go my way,but most times I had to bite my tongue and compromise.Finally in the late seventies I got sick and tired of it all and decided to put a band together where I called the shots and the band would be under my name.In 1978 I recorded a 45 of an original song entitled Going Down With Youbacked on the B side by another original song entitled Bending Over Backwards.Going under the name, Charles Boone And The Third Coming , I and the guys who were backing me at the time did a few gigs to promote the record, not only in South Jersey but also in North Jersey and New York City. Yet it seems the timing wasnt right because things quickly came to a fizzling end.
For a time I returned to playing in a band situation which was originally called The Wurx ,but was eventually changed to Outlander. With that band I did have a bit more control,I guess,because the guys were a few years younger than I was and probably respected the fact that I had more musical experience.However ,the guys werent really ready for totalitarian leadership so there was still a certain amount of compromise involved.Just the same we stayed together for a number of years,getting tighter and aquiring a reputation in the So.Jersey bar scene,thanks to our manager and mentor at the time,Jack MacCallister.In 1990 we were even chosen as the South Jersey finalist in the East Coast Rocker Best Unsigned Band Contest which included a number of bands from up and down the east coast.
Eventually Outlander split up and for a few years I stopped playing the clubs and got involved in some other ,nonmusical things such as accepting Jesus Christ as my personal savior, getting involved in the church and becoming an ordained minister.What an amazing journey that was.But that story,in itself,is another story for another day.Let it just suffice to say that I became pretty disillusioned by certain aspects of the ministry as well as coming to the realization that God didnt really call me to be a preacher,but to be only that which Ive always been..a guitarist.
So about three years ago,back in 2001,when I decided to get back into rockin again I noticed that most of the musicians werent really interested in committing to one main band.Instead,they were networking themselves individually,playing in various bands or other musical projects simultaneously,thereby acquiring reputations for themselves.One drummer friend of mine even referred to himself as a Drum Whore wholl play anywhere at any time with whomever has the paying gig.
Also,a new phenomenon had taken place in the area clubs called Open Mike Night which is nothing more than a night when numerous musicians come together to sit in and jam with each other, make contacts or just have fun and hang out.I also noticed that the prevailing music styles being played on these nights consisted predominately of the blues,classic rock,and classic r&b,the very music I grew up with and loved over the years.This was reflected in the many classic rock radio stations in the So.Jersey / Phila. area.At any rate,I felt that with this new scene going on around me that maybe it was time for me to do some networking of my own and use these Open MikeNights as a vehicle by which I could get my name out there again, meet some new and fresh musicians, and, possibly,have a club whereas to launch my next project.
At that point I began thinking of how Ive been playing in bands practically all of my life and have a bit of a reputation, and now that Im 53 I dont know exactly how much longer Ill be out here rocking and rolling in the clubs , or for that matter how much longer before Im knock, knock, knocking on heavens door.So I made the decision that from here on out, musically, I was going to do what I wanted to do, the way I wanted to do it.I choose the name, the material, the set lists, who I play with,etc.etc.Nomore compromising and nomore holding my tongue.This next project was going to be My Thing, and to quell any confusion in that regard I decided I wasnt going to rack my brain trying to come up with a name for it.Therefore,since I cant stand my name,which is Charles, and I hate it when people call me Charlie, I chose to call it The Chuck Boone Band.Now that doesnt mean that I dont accept advise or suggestions from the guys I play with.Its just that when it comes to the final decisionsIm The Man.
" At the beginning of this project I was only looking for musicians to help back me up on gigs but no one necessarily permanent.At the same time, even in a situation like mine, its good to have musicians you can depend on, for the most part, because not only will they know the material, but they will also know how you play, your body language, and how you give cues for changes in certain songs.
I must admit that sometimes I am almost persuaded to return to a band situation and go under a band name.But then I think of how fickle most musicians are and how at any time and for whatever reason someone will leave the band.Eventhough you may find a replacement, the overall sound and dynamics of the band will change, sometimes drastically.However, regardless of who leaves or stays,the one consistant element remaining will be the signature sound of my guitar and vocals.Besides, I would eventually get frustrated with all the compromising and giving in to things that I wont agree with.
Therefore,with that being the case,the name, as well as the concept will continue to be. Chuck Boone.
CB
2006
You're playing at," Green Bank " on my birthday; Cool. Listen I got a plan. I think I have seen bookings when you play," JD'S " pub in Smithville. Right? Well change things around and get booked there on Aug.7 or Sept.5. Sherlock's Books and Cafe seen me online and asked if I had solo act. I sent some stuff and I am booked there from 7 - 9 on Aug.7 and Sept 5. At JD'S you probably start right after that. We could join up. If not stop in anyway and check out my original solo act. I am told it is right next to JD'S. Where ever that is. I just wrote a new song I am really proud of. It is fingerstyle which is actually new to me in last 5 years. I worked so hard on it my fingers are sore to the bone. I got metal finger picks that have been sitting in my guitar case since the Beatles were at Shea Stadium. I always said I can't use them. Turns out now I can and have started. Practice makes perfect. The journey toward the light. A thousand lifetimes and maybe I will be worthy enough to clean out the horse stables in God's great pastures. Joey
HI,MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! ON JUNE 7TH FROM 9AM TO 3PM THE EL LIVE SHOW WILL BE APPEARING AT THE SOMERS POINT FIRE CO#1 ON BETHAL ROAD IN SOMERS POINT,IT IS A FREE OUTDOOR EVENT,A CLASSIC CAR SHOW,A FLEA MARKET AND A CRAFT SALE..WE WILL BE DOING SOME GOOD OLD ROCK & ROLL AND NEW STUFF FROM OUR NEW CD "THE COUNTRY SIDE OF ELVIS" PLUS SOME SPECIAL GUESTS MIGHT STOP BY TO DO A SONG OR TWO WITH ME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON OBTAINING A BOOTH FOR THIS SHOW PLEASE CONTACT MARYJANE AT 609-927-7169 THANKS,AND AS ALWAYS...KEEP ROCKIN....YOUR FRIEND...TED
whats happenin' chuck??we will be out at timbuk2s this saturday along with our nineteen stone dancers!!hope you can be there to witness the nastiness!!!lol much love and respect from mike of nineteen stone!!!!LET THERE BE ROCK!!!
Great stuff Chuck. Hey, maybe we'll catch up with you somewhere along the road. If your ever back to the "Burg"....I mean "Sixburgh" look us up. We could have a hell of a party down there in Homestead!! Keep it Pink...
Hey there! Wanted to say hello since it's been a while since we have been by your page ! WASABEEEE!! Love, Rockstars Glued/Rockstars Glued Radio Staff www. rockstarsglued. com
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