#167 George Sluppick- Drummer for Albert King, Morgan James, JJ Grey & Mofro, Chris Robinson & More!
This photo of George was taken by Jamie Harmon.
George Sluppick is an American drummer born in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in blues, funk, soul and R&B music. In 1986, he graduated from Overton, a prestigious creative & performing arts high school, where he studied music theory, sang 2nd tenor in the concert choir and played drums for their award-winning gospel choir. Growing up in Memphis, he shared the stage with many legends, including BB King and Rufus Thomas and just one year after his high school graduation, he went on the road with blues guitarist, Albert King, which opened many doors allowing him to become a full-time musician. George was 19 years old.
He moved to San Diego, California in 1991 and quickly became a major player in the local music scene, which included a two-year gig drumming with 50’s revivalists, Sha Na Na, touring the U.S. and Japan. During their second Japanese tour, they recorded a live album which he is featured, titled Sha Na Na: Live in Japan, (Sony). In late ’99, he began touring with Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, which lasted for three years and he is featured on Giving up the Ghost, (Magnatude). In 2003, he began drumming with North Florida’s MOFRO with whom he spent nearly five years touring the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia and is featured on three of their albums: Blackwater, Lochloosa and Country Ghetto (Alligator). - Read more.
Gig Alerts
Marcos will be performing with Jeremy Bosch on March 27th at Rockwood Stage 1.
The Love Rocks concert on Thursday March 14th has a restricted attendance policy, “attendees at the concert will be limited to core artist personnel, event staff, essential team staff, credentialed media and immediate family.”
Angélique Kidjo was scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall on Saturday March 14th but has been cancelled due the Covid-19 virus.
Social Soundbyte
Friend on the show Henry Cole shared with us this Traditional Puerto Rican groove Bomba.
Product Review
“At Tackle Instrument Supply, we understand that the relationships musicians forge with their gear is a sacred one and we seek to help protect and further that connection through high-quality, thoughtfully designed cases and accessories. Inspired by the heritage cases from bygone eras, Tackle goods maintain the classic, simple aesthetic of those early designs but with the integrity and durability of modern production.”
Damon’s favorite tambourine with a head is by Grover Pro Percussion. He recently used a Bantamweight Heat-Treated Silver / Phosphor Bronze Tambourine for Morgan Jordan’s new Album Memphis Magnetic.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording was chosen by our guest George Sluppick.
Live is a 1972 live album by American soul artist Donny Hathaway. It was recorded at two concerts: side one at The Troubadour in Hollywood, and side two at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
Donny Hathaway – vocals, electric piano, piano, organ, arrangements
Phil Upchurch – lead guitar on side one
Cornell Dupree – lead guitar, backing vocals on side two
Mike Howard – guitar, backing vocals
Willie Weeks – bass, backing vocals
Fred White – drums, backing vocals
Earl DeRouen – conga drums, backing vocals
Song leading to the Interview is Morgan James’ "Give You Up"
George Sluppick Interview
The interview starts with George telling a story about the best drum lesson he received from Jim Keltner. He was recording with Chris Robinson at Sunset Sound in LA and Jim had a session in the studio next door!
“There isn’t nothing that I can teach you that isn’t already on those great records.” - Jim Keltner. The album mentioned in George’s story of Jim was Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield.
George tells us a hilarious story of when he was 19 and got the opportunity to play with Albert King’s band. He also tells a story about how he sat in with B.B. King during a Jam session after the Blues Award in Memphis. George mentions being part of the Blues Foundation.
The track George mentions on his story of his experience with Albert King is “Born under a Bad Sign” with Al Jackson Jr. on drums.
Damon brings up how George still plays along with records, and George adds how drummers like James Gadson and Howard Grimes also listen and play along with records.
George’s formal training first came from his family. His dad was a bass player and a big fan on the Blues. George’s dad would bring him to jam sessions throughout his childhood. His mom had an amazing record collection ranging from Aretha Franklin, The Dave Clark Five, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, and more!
George has made a couple dozen records in the past few years. He shares stories on his growth from coming to the studio with a tuned up jazz kit, to being open to change his kit.
George mentions getting starting to play some percussion instruments like the tambourine and shares another story on Jack Ashford laying down some tambourine tracks on a record of one of George’s trio City Champs.
Marcos mentions how important it is to bring the right gear to the gig, and George shares how important it is to pick the right cymbal to use with a singer.
George gives some insight on some tips/studio tricks for recording. Some of the items mentioned by George include, using tackle rags, dry cymbals like the Istanbul Agop, Vater bomber beaters and wooden beaters.
George shares a story on how he trade his ‘65 Impala and a nice leather jacket for rent.
Marcos has been borrowing Damon’s 21” Zildjian K Sweet Ride and George mentions how a good cymbal can actually change how you play.
Damon and George share non-alcoholic drink recipes that they usually order in a club. George usually asks the bartender to make their best non-alcoholic drink which is usually ginger brew or fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and Topo Chico is, Damon usually gets pineapple juice, cranberry juice with ginger beer (or ginger ale) or orange juice with a splash of sprite. They talk about how the food you eat before a performance is really important.
George recommends Robert Cray’s new album “That’s What I heard,” “Al Green is Love,” and “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” by Ann Peebles. George talks about Howard Grimes playing in “Al Green is Love” and “I Can’t Stand the Rain.”
George plays Istanbul Agop cymbals, Vater drumsticks, mallets, brushes & Keplinger percussion exclusively, as well as vintage Rogers drums & Craviotto custom snare drums. He carries his gear in Tackle Instrument Supply & Beato Bags.
You can follow George on his Website, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can also grab his video lessons on Gumroad or listen to his podcast The Set Break.
Song leading out of the interview is “The Safecracker” by the City Champs
