About 2 weeks ago, I got an email from an old friend, Bob Fera. Bob and I go way back. I played bass with his band for a few years, wrote songs with Bob, recorded a record or two. Needless to say, I love Bob like a brother. A brother I hadn't really heard from in a decade.

Here's the backstory...

About 10 years ago, I'd quit his band. Just showed up at practice and said "Sorry guys, I'm done."

I just wanted to play different stuff, was fresh out of college, broke, lost my parents, and just needed a change in my life. It was a bit of a dick move at the time, but people quit bands. It happens all the time. Bob was not happy, but accepted it. After that, we hardly spoke.

So, a decade went bye. I got a job, played in other bands, recorded my own stuff (some good, some not so good), and generally moved on. Life's been, well, pretty good lately. I could complain about a few things, but compared to my 20's, my 30's have been a breeze.

About Bob Fera's music:

I think Bob's voice is unparalleled. Just about everyone who sees him does. The man can sing. Unfortunately, he's never gotten the acclaim I really believe he deserves, not only as a singer, but as a songwriter. Bob's songs are simple, catchy, honest, and full of heart. The fact that his voice is so perfect sometimes distracts the listener from hearing how damned good the song itself is.

Here's an example... I was at his gig last weekend at the Tudor Lounge and shot this video:


Please excuse the cheesy video cross-cuts, I was covering up for my poor iphone camera skills, beer spills, etc. In the end, I tried to make the footage fit the song (titled "Just another mile...") and cut out my thumb on the lens!

Here's another track that I'd recorded with Bob back in the 90's. (The man can sing, but the song itself is pretty excellent..)

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::

Anyhow, seeing Bob perform this past weekend highlighted (for me) how important Bob should be on the buffalo scene. More people should hear his music. Seeing Bob light up a stage is something we need to see more of.

So... why did Bobby email me 2 weeks ago? Well, Bob asked me to come back and play bass with him again. He's moving the current bassist (Nate) over to the piano.

Of course, I said "yes". Bob's making some of the best music in town and I am excited to be a part of it. More importantly, I'm even more ecstatic that I'll be seeing my old friend a lot more.