James “Drum Roll Please” Reid
Two memories come to my mind when I think about James Reid. Oct. or Nov. 2020, I was sitting at Shooters on 620, waiting to get up again and photograph Robert Wagner’s Rogue Collective. James Reid, from Code Blue, whom I had only photographed a few times prior, one being his “50th” birthday party, (Damn Youngster), sat next to me and we began to chat. I really didn’t know him well. During the conversation he told me I was now part of, and welcomed me to the Austin Music Family. Wow!!, I was, and still continue to be in awe that I get to sit next to, converse to, and interact with cool people, a.k.a. “musicians.” The second memory that comes to mind is Dec. 28, 2020, at the Open Mic at Parmer Lane Tavern. A bass player was needed and there was not one available. James, having never played the bass, volunteered and did exceptionally well. He is a man who is not afraid. He is not only a gifted guitar player, he is a great singer, just “Don’t Tell [Him] That You Love [Him].” James, the podium is yours.
1. Who is James Reid?
I am a lifelong Texan born in the parking lot of Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. Minus some years to get my degree in Economics from Texas A&M, I have been in the Austin area since 1985. I am a father of two daughters, three Boston terriers, husband, son and newly a Liberty Hill resident. I’m a Believer in Jesus and think we get along very well, mostly through His Grace as I’m a sinning human but always at least tries my best and learns from my mistakes.
My first time attending Young Life in high school inspired me to be “that guy”, helping to lead the music part which not only looked like a lot of fun but after all, seemed where all the ladies had their focus. After enough years’ abandon, I picked up my grandfather’s dusty 1940s model Gibson with probably 1960s strings which had lain dormant in my father’s closet long enough. There was only an old kind of pitch tuner you blew through and a chord book next to it on the 70s shag carpet. I would sit in my bedroom in my parents house off Spicewood Springs road and try to figure songs out, overcoming the pain in my fingers as my callouses were yet to develop. I had several “ah- ha” moments in teaching myself although that old guitar’s action was fighting back at me with every chord. I’d wake up extra early before leaving for my summer construction job at 6:00 am, beating as much central Texas heat as we could but sure to get some practice in. Driving home one day listening to KLBJ as they played Steven Still’s “Love the One You’re With” it hit me that sure sounded like the Am, G and F chord progression, which also sounded similar to “Watchtower” and “Burning for You”. I was so excited to show my mother and will NEVER forget her disapproval as I sang the hook and played along “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with”. You see, the Church of Christ with no musical instruments where I attended three days a week whether I need it or not, was an excellent source for not only learning vocal pitch on melodies but more important to me, vocal harmony. Unfortunately, my Mother (and perhaps rightfully so) expressed a more bitter disappointment in the lyrics I was so excited to sing, missing the mark of the fact that I figured something out musically in my head. I was not deterred.
One skill set that I’ve learned from teaching myself it the ability to figure it out in my head. There was no YouTube back then. It has translated in life to the ability to make a lot of people happy in my acoustic shows, playing songs I’ve never played before but requested from someone in the audience. This has been the genesis of a lot of songs in my normal repertoire. Unfortunately for band mates it has been to their chagrin as I go “squirrel” off the set lists as my modus operandi which has its challenges. You can show me sheet music and it looks like Greek to me but ask me to play a song and like most ear players I can probably figure it out on the spot.
2. Tell me about your current projects:
My current projects include my Texas Players Band, which is a rolodex of great musicians that I can plug and play depending what the customer wants. It is almost exclusively private parties with the exception of a club gig every other month. I am “Bryan Adams” in a soon to be officially rolled out BA Tribute Band. I really enjoy my solo acoustic shows as well as my duos with Shawn Austin and Brad Falch, two incredible vocalists. I’m very honored to have been in Code Blue for the last few years which is unfortunately winding down due to a key member’s health issues. Lastly, I host Shelley Mier’s Monday night open mic at Shenanigans and occasionally Ernie Welter’s Tuesday night at the Water Tank. Unfortunately, ALL of these are taking a temporary hiatus for a couple months due to my rotator cuff in need of being re-attached.
3. Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.
I still long for the load in’s on 6th street back in the 90’s. They are gone forever. Fortunately, the music scene geography in cover band world has vastly expanded. The increase in “outsiders” coming here from California has been boon for the local live music scene with great venues all the way from Buda to Liberty Hill. Regrettably musicians are still making the same money they were in the 90’s if not LESS. Those of us that have day jobs don’t feel it as much, but I do feel there is something venues could do to increase the budget they pay to the full timers who need the next gig to pay for the fact they are paying twice as much for food and gas as they were just a few years ago.
The increase in population here has not only expanded the amount of venues offering live music but has also increased the number of high quality musicians I play with. My Bryan Adams tribute band has a guitar player and dear friend who came here from California named Adam Brannon (heard of him? LOL) who played with a great drummer in the casinos of Nevada named Tracy Cobb. Combine that with a bass player from California named David Druxman, along with fellow Texan on keyboards named Len Sweatman and you have as good a band as I’ve ever seen, much less played in. That 60% “new” Texans for those of you counting at home.
4. A.I. and music, your thoughts.
It’s bad enough that pretty much everything in modern country music is garbage overstuffed with “snap clicks” but AI is the end of humanity. If college students want to pay $60k a year for a worthless humanities degree and use AI to write their papers and take their tests for them so be it. Stay away from the arts, AI, in the name of all that is Holy….
5. What is the question you are never asked?
I’ve never been asked to play drums. Might could, might do it. It will be at least six months after the rotator cuff surgery at least though.
—- James, when you do, I demand you let me know prior!!! I will be there.
