48. Tommy Shannon

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My guest this week is legendary bass player Tommy Shannon. Best known as the bassist in Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Tommy was also an integral part of Johnny Winter's initial success, not to mention more recent projects including Arc Angels and Storyville. Growing up in west Texas, the future bass legend launched his music career in the usual fashion, playing guitar in local cover bands during his high school years. When Johnny Winter, described by Tommy as “an encyclopedia of the blues,” invited Shannon to join his band, he used his own vast record collection to immerse his new bassist in all things blues. While living in Houston, he read that Stevie Ray Vaughan, that “real awkward looking, scrawny 14-year-old kid” he remembered from years ago at The Fog, was playing at Rockefeller’s and decided to go check him out. The story of Tommy’s time with Stevie is well known: the musical highs of sold-out concerts all over the world, the multiple Grammys, the gold and platinum records. Tommy has been through the highest highs and lowest lows in his life and career and was kind enough to share his story with me. Enjoy my conversation with Tommy Shannon, and please subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes!

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