KIRK FLETCHER

1

The Dixie Hummingbirds, “Beside of a Neighbor” The guitarist, Howard Carroll, influenced so many players. The solo is so clear and articulate; it definitely changed things for me after I nailed it.

2

Prince, “Let’s Go Crazy” In the mid Eighties, you didn’t hear too much wah on Black radio — or even screaming guitars — but Prince brought a lot of things together.

3

B.B. King, “Night Life” (Blues Is King) It’s just heart and soul and everything that’s great in the world, because it’s just pure soul. Every note tells a story about his life and his struggles, joys, sadness and happiness.

4

Larry Carlton, “Bubble Shuffle” A lot of Larry’s background shows in the solo; you hear him swinging those phrases so hard, and his love for the blues is undeniably present. I have a special connection with this album — it’s one of the first I bought with my allowance as a kid.

5

Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, “Love Poem” When I was in Charlie Musselwhite’s band, I’d sometimes drive to the Bay Area from L.A. to start the tour and play this album on my trip every time. Robben Ford plays the most beautiful lead acoustic guitar fills, and that inspired me to dig deeper into the bigger picture of making music and finding my own voice.

KIRK FLETCHER'S NEW ALBUM, MY BLUES PATHWAY, IS OUT NOW