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Exclusive interview with biker music legend JB WALKER Interview Date : 01/25/09 Biker Music Legend JB Walker A living legend in the biker music world, he's still going strong after 26 years! Web site : www.cheapwhiskeyband.com or myspace.com/jbwalkercheapwhiskeyband JB Walker plays too many shows every year to even try and keep track of them, visit his myspace or web site for a complete listing. did you know ? - He donates 6 weeks of his time every year to help support our troops by playing the USO tours? He's been to every war zone in the last 20 years! - JB's releasing a new album March 2009 named ''Seven keys to the city'', look for it at Bikeweek he'll be playing the Iron Horse saloon. - He's played at the Iron Horse Saloon in Daytona Beach every single year since 1983 - He started off his career as a security guard for David Allen Coe in Atlanta, GA |
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JB Walker and the Cheap Whiskey band are real living legends in the biker music world. Playing motorcycle shows, biker bars and rallies across the USA for the last 26 years this man has been there, done that and has an entire wardrobe of the tee shirts. And unlike a lot of famous people who are only interested in blowing themselves into larger than life characters, JB's one of the nicest down to earth people you could ever hope to meet.
from JB Walker: What's been hapening in my life lately? I've recently been through a personal loss and I'd like to take a moment to thank all the people that have sent me email's and letters. Even if I couldn't possibly reply to every single one, I do appreciate all the friends I've made over the years taking a moment to send their sympathies. What can I say? Sometimes life is good, and other times... things are just harder. You just have to keep on trucking and roll with the punches I guess. 
My favorite song to play at a show is ''Purple Rain''. It has a lot of meaning for me, and it was one of the first songs I did over 20 years ago so playing it always reminds me of the first times I was up on stage for an audience.The worst show I ever played was with Big Mike Griffin out in Oklahoma. The promoter completely blew it, and we had drove all the way out there only to find out he didn't have any money to pay us. At all. He wouldn't even give us a little something to help out with the gas! So we're broke, and out in the ass end of nowhere a thousand miles from home. I felt so bad for not playing I actually gave away all my JB Walker T shirts to people in the crowd. After all, it wasn't their fault the promoter was worthless. (note from bob : that's the same show Big Mike Griffin mentioned when I asked him the worst place he'd ever played. Must have been one sorry ass bike rally). 
I love playing the Iron Horse Saloon in Daytona Beach. Playing there is sort of like coming home, I've jammed there every Bikeweek for the last 26 years. My new album called ''Seven Keys to the City'' is being released in March '09 and it's named after the seven keys to the city of Daytona Beach I've been presented with over the years. Seems fitting to release my new CD during Bikeweek, come see us play and check out the new tunes.I'd like to ask everyone to support your troops. Our boys are doing a tough thankless job keeping us safe and they risk everything for us here back at home. If you see a soldier on the street take 10 seconds to tell him thanks. This man puts HIS LIFE on the line for us, the least you can do is take few seconds to let him know it's appreciated. Every year I donate 6 weeks of my time to the USO tours, it's just my way of saying thanks for what they go through. a closing note from BikerBob Usually when I interview bands they're all excited and want to spend an hour telling you about how great they are, how thrilling their rock star life is, all the fantastic shows they've booked, how busy busy busy they are traveling around and around in circles, we're living the dream, we're going to make it big time, oh and by the way make sure and tell everyone to go buy our new CD and all our t shirts, blah blah blah. I often feel like I could write a band interview even before I take the time to talk with them. Not so with JB Walker. For those of you who don't know his son recently passed away. I expected him to tell me about how hard it was for him, but instead he thanks everyone that sent their condolences. He ONLY told me about his new album because I asked him about it. This man has received SEVEN KEYS TO THE CITY OF DAYTONA and ONLY mentions it because I asked him where he got the name for his new album??!?!? He tells me about a couple of places he's played overseas and I have to DRAG OUT OF HIM the fact that he's been donating six weeks every year to the troops??? FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS?!?!?? Are you kidding me? JB is one of the most down to earth, coolest and considerate people that I've ever met in my entire life. He's touched the lives of hundreds of thousands over the years, and is still a guy that just loves to play for a biker crowd. A true legend, he performs because he loves it. Music isn't what he does for a living, it defines who he is. No glitz and glamour here, just the real deal. And I salute him for it. | ||