Another Year, A New Adventure 

Hey, Everyone!

    I hope your life and loves are safe and happy in this new year.

I've been working a lot so, the Skinny has become a bald headed step-child as of late.I try to do it, when there are things to share with you or when there is info that you might find interesting.Well, here goes...

 2004 was very good to me (Year in Review)!

  120 live dates in 2004, plus shows with The Boneshakers, various recording sessions, and still time to be daddy. It started with the Warren Hill Smooth Cruise 2004. So many great artists, (Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Euge Groove, Alexander Zonjic, Cheili Minucci, Jeff Golub, Warren Hill, The Harris Bros. It was so a great time. Then, it was the Guitars and Saxes 2004 tour, with Mark Antoine, Euge Groove, Warren Hill and Jeff Golub and once again, great performances by great artists.

The Montreux Jazz 2004

                                             Photo:Michael van Droff

  Rick, Rayford, David, Patti, Kirk, Randy and Gerald at Montreux 2004

During a G&S break it was on to The Montreux Jazz Fest with, Patti Austin, Rick Braun, Rayford Griffin, Gerald Veasley, David Garfield and Kirk Whalum. I was so in awe of the talent that these people possess, it was an honor.I also did shows with Euge Groove and Rick Braun independently, Both these guys are great showmen and good people.

The Wave All-Stars 2004 Germany Tour

                                                                     Photo: Andreas Oetker-Kast

  Randy, John, Oleta, Nate, Richard, Ron and Rick in Hamburg, Germany

     I did some more G&S and then came the Wave All Star Tour in Germany with Richard Elliot, Oleta Adams, Rick Braun, John Cushon, Nate Phillips, and Ron Reinhart. It was my first time working with Richard and Oleta. Ms.Adams and John Cushon, (her husband and drummer), hit me where my home and heart are.They are real people with great talent and loving personalities. Playing with them took me back to that little store front church on Grand River Blvd in Detroit, where I first learned how music can change you. John is the most souful drummer I've ever met and I hope to work with them again. Mr.Richard Elliot, I only knew him from his music and reputation, he is an incredible player and a master showman. Euge Groove, once told me that Richard Elliot was his favorite sax player, now I understand why. I also did some quick shows with Marc Antoine, he is another awesome guitar talent that I work with and I was honored to play with him outside of the G&S camp, he is a true artist and I learned so much from him about the acoustic guitar. Then, it was back to the G&S tour, unfortunately without Marc for some finals shows but, the topper of 2004 was the return of Was (Not Was). (I'll talk about that more below.) Let's just hope 2005 is just as awesome. 

Maybe You Can Go Back....The Return Of Was! 

                                                                Photo: Ron Baker

Randy and Don at the Belly Up (First show in 14 years)!

    I have to be honest, I never thought I'd be doing shows with Was (Not Was) in 2004 or anytime, but it happened and it was incredible. 

A much smaller band with no Harry Bowens, Luis Resto, Donald Ray Mitchell, Debra Dobkin or Rayce Biggs, and while I miss those guys, the shows didn't suffer from them not being there.As always the band, Tio Banks, Sergio Gonzales, David McMurray, Sweetpea Atkinson, Don and David Was and myself, was tight and the music was fun and adventurous.Don and David, have written songs that standout, even after 14 years of being away.I look forward to doing more shows and some new music with them soon.  

What's Up with....?   

1. A New CD?

   I took some time off to find focus, woodshed a little and to be daddy to my son.I am working on new material and I hope to have new music done in 2005.I'm finally settling into song demo mode so, it is becoming more real.I always do demos and demos again, before I bring the other guys in to play.I've been shedding and that always leads to song ideas.Thanks to all who have been asking and I promise there will be new music this year.

2. Malford Milligan?

    Malford and I are still brothers, we speak often and laugh a lot, (if you know him, then you know he likes to laugh) so, at some point he and I will probably work together again. Hopefully, we'll rope in the whole Boneshakers (Mach 2) gang, (Les Fisher, Jamie Kime and Nate Brown) for a reunion.

3.Sweetpea Atkinson?

    Now that Was (Not Was) is back in action, I don't know if Sweetpea will continue with the band as much. The Boneshakers has always been something for him to do while he waited for a Was (Not Was) reunion, it would be hard to have him singing on both CD's as the primary lead singer, as we experienced when the Orquestra Was record was released the same time as Book Of Spells.With that being said, just know that I will continue as I always have, working hard to bring my vision of funk and soul to the masses.

Thanks for your support and here's to the future.

Randy J

Photo: Erica Rood

Past Skinnys