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Big Poppa

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OK Many people have commented once again about the amazing John Ferraro but I get to too!

I wanted to thank both John and Jimmy Cox for their walking the walk as true professionals who have not lost thier zest and zeal for the music and playing. THeri respect for their gift and ove rhte top postivie and supportive attitude is a master class in and of itself.


I could go on and on about Jimmy Cox but Steve Morse cslls him "Mr Music Business"
Google Jim Cox organ Jim cox Piano jim cox keyboards then repeat the search Jimmy Cox with the other tags and see who DONATED his time for two days in support of me and my company.....He is the most versitile musician I have ever met. He has a photographic memory of music and can play in any genre and play it real. He can play every part of every hit record that I know of...."Hey Jimmy, what was the bass part on "XXXXX" and who played it....he know it and can hm it or play it on the keyboards. He is a monster

John Ferraro.....Many of you know that John and I go back to Junior High School. Striaght out of high school he lands the drummer chair for Larry Carlton and holds it down for twenty or so....in between its Barry Manilow george benson boz scaggs rod stewart promise keepers tons of TV movies jngles and live shows.....in his spare time he collects drums, bargin bin golf clubs and somehow has a strange affinity for buicks and volvo wagons with 200,000 miles on them. I wont go into the Hockey News.....
In the old softball team days he was "The Clinician"

I dont know if he wants to take credit for me....but he taught me how to play in a band. It has always bugged me that he didnt get his due as a true musician.....He has all of the chops and flash but he is a musician and is devoted to time feel and support.
It is really great to see him get it now. Dave Mrotta was talking the other day and saying "John Ferraro is revered in town"

Rodney Crowell just flew him to Nashville to do a record he produced for Cheryl Wright and Rodney calls him the best musician he has worked with and dont get him started on the praise....Luke has asked him to join his band for next year..so if john can fit it in his schedule...it should be fun

Here is John's weekend.....
Plays in thiry knot wind backng knuckle heads
Backs luke and tyler
Gets up in the morning and donates his time for a free master class at a local church
Goes to clinic...Without prior notice I ask him if he will do it..."sure"
SOund Checks Steve Morse material
One song sound check with Tyler.....
Plays Steve Morse Originals and make s them swing. Every part perfect......
Backs Tyler and Ben Nails all punches stop breaks and plays songs he has never heard perfectly....Im Sure Tyler and Ben will add to this.
Backs all of the Knuckle heads...I suddenly realize that I have kept him of the stand for over three hours....I finally let him use the mens room

Both of those guys are so entitled to an attitude and the only one they have is positive. Could there be a better lesson and example to take away from the weekend,....They played just as hard for Wonderdog et al as they did for Morse.
 
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roburado

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Thanks, Poppa. Very informative! I had no idea about what John Ferraro and Jimmy Cox had done. I just took it for granted that they were awesome at what they do, because pretty much all the musicians you bring us are. It's cool to hear what else they have done, because I certainly wasn't familiar with their backgrounds. It's also great to kind of get the idea that they're just great people as well. I didn't get to meet Jimmy, but John Ferraro sure did recommend some food to me at the Mexicali buffet. I sure didn't recognize him with his hat on. Ooops! :eek: Sorry, John!
 

PeteDuBaldo

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John is a world class drummer and a super nice guy. It is an honor to have played with him.

His input at the Big Bottom Bass Clinic was fantastic.

Jimmy Cox was fantastic on keys, I only wish we had given him a solo during our part of the knucklehead jam.
 

roburado

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It was great hearing Jimmy bust out the Steely Dan material. :D I wish I could have played along, but I don't know how. :eek: :D

I thought Jim Cox actually bore a bit of a resemblance to Walter Becker. I thought, "Who's that guy who looks like Walter Becker?" Then, he busts out some Steely Dan material. :D
 

Oldtoe

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See my response on the long-necked side of the forum.

I'm considering getting a bumper sticker that reads, " I played bass with John Ferraro."
 

Eggman

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Playing bass with these guys was a pleasure. Jim filling the sound out and John laying down an incredibly consistent tempo. Made playing so easy!
 
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NorM

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What BP said!

Those guys were solid as concrete foundations. Improv keyboard solos that sound like they were meticulously prepared. While adding just the right flavor to the pie. (I love the pie analogy).
Come play drums for Steve Morse originals and make Steve smile really big when your done. Any one else who played with Jon has a ton of stuff to appreciate. Those of us who only listened to these guys only have 0.9999 tons of stuff to appreciate.
 

Psychicpet

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from what I remember of the OpenHouse in SLO, John does definitely bring it and the smile that's permanently etched ;it seems ; on his face is a testament to all of the above that you said BP, true "Cats among Cats".

thanks for bringing them to our collective attention.
 

GoKart_MoZart

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Plays Steve Morse Originals and make s them swing. Every part perfect......

Yeah man. I think that's what impressed son#2 and me the most. He nailed those songs, with amazing fills and cymbal work, big finishes that were spot on, he brought out the best of the songs. Wow. :eek:
 

beej

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BP, so happy you could convince guys of that calibre to donate their time to the open house. I didn't have the pleasure of talking to Jimmy, but John is one of the nicest guys I've met- totally down to earth and just an all around cool guy.

FYI, that night Keith had some print outs from Steve Morse's book where he talks about how great John and Jimmy are and their talents as musicians. A great read.
 

kbaim

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BP, so happy you could convince guys of that calibre to donate their time to the open house. I didn't have the pleasure of talking to Jimmy, but John is one of the nicest guys I've met- totally down to earth and just an all around cool guy.

FYI, that night Keith had some print outs from Steve Morse's book where he talks about how great John and Jimmy are and their talents as musicians. A great read.

Hope people got to read that. It was from Steve's Open Ears book. He also mentions Sterling, Luke, Albert and the rest of Biff Baby's at that time (maybe 10 years ago??)
 

TylerDowBryant

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John Ferraro and Jimmy Cox...WOW...these are some of the best guys I have played with yet!

John Ferraro...If I wore a watch, I could set it to his time. He has such a great feel. It's almost like he knew what I was going to do before I did it. The man is a monster. So good. He is by far, the best drummer I have ever played with!

Jimmy Cox...so tasteful. His solos were brilliant! It wasn't just the solos though...While I was playing, he was playing these little things to compliment me...It added so much to the music.

It's so great to play with musicians who are better than you. Instead of dragging them along, they push you to play better. It's great when you don't have to worry if someone is going to cover a certain part. It allows you to get lost in the music. I can't say how happy I was to share the stage with those guys!

Ben did great too! I know he feels the same as I.
 

fsmith

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My favorite moment was when John threw out the intro to "Hold The Line", Luke's reaction was classic...

I was humbled to be among such great talent.
 

bovinehost

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I might have missed the "Hold the Line" moment, but someone mentioned African rhythms (I think it was Dave M) and John F IMMEDIATELY tossed out the drum intro to Toto's "Africa" and everyone knew what it was.

How many drummers could do that?
 

fsmith

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Whoops, my bad, I remember them talking about the African rhythms but thought the intro was to "Hold the Line". It would make sense that it was the intro to "Africa". Anyhow it was damn cool...

I'm still remembering bits and pieces of the weekend, so many great things happened. Sensory overload...
 

AnthonyD

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I might have missed the "Hold the Line" moment, but someone mentioned African rhythms (I think it was Dave M) and John F IMMEDIATELY tossed out the drum intro to Toto's "Africa" and everyone knew what it was.

How many drummers could do that?

Classic moment - and Luke's reaction was predictably funny! :)
 

AnthonyD

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It's so great to play with musicians who are better than you. Instead of dragging them along, they push you to play better. It's great when you don't have to worry if someone is going to cover a certain part. It allows you to get lost in the music.

Wisdom beyond years - very well said! :)
 
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