MAY 24-30, 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/WHATZUPFTWAYNE // WWW.WHATZUP.COM 2018 2019 --------------------------Feature • Tedeschi Trucks Band ------------------------- S E A S O N Family That Plays Together By Chris Hupe recruited by his uncle, Butch, the Allman perfect and we don’t always get there, but Brothers drummer, Trucks had become the we try.” Last year was a difficult one for guitarist lead guitar for the legendary rock outfit that He and Tedeschi have likewise grown and songwriter Derek Trucks. Not only did same year. He and Tedeschi married in 2001, together as husband and wife, guitarist and he lose his uncle, Butch Trucks, to suicide, had two children – Charles and Sophia – and singer. Their time in the studio has proven but Gregg Allman, one of his musical men- began touring together under the moniker particularly productive in that regard, al- tors, died of liver cancer. One might assume Soul Stew Revival. though it hasn’t always been rose petals July 28-August 12 that Trucks would take the year off to grieve Trucks was still leading his own band at and champagne. If touring is like dating, and process his pain. In- then recording is more stead, he spent it writing the marriage part of the new songs and touring equation – it takes hard with his wife, Susan Te- work and compromise, deschi, and their 10-per- not to mention tact and son band, who will take kindness. the Embassy Theatre “You learn to trust each stage Thursday, May 31 other more, especially at 7 p.m. in the studio. Susan “A lot of people was always a little ap- September 14-23 in the band have gone prehensive about that through some tough part. She didn’t enjoy times the last couple it as much as being on Season years,” he told me in a the road. The studio is tickets recent phone interview such a different animal. from the road. The band People are always giv- on sale was preparing for their ing you advice and tell- now! gig at the Brady Theatre ing you what they think in Tulsa, Oklahoma. is best for the album. “I’m not the only Sometimes she wasn’t one. We’ve all expe- open to that advice, es- rienced loss. I mean, pecially if it came from November 3-18 planet earth has been me. Her initial reaction crazy for everyone recently, hasn’t it? TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND was ‘who are you to tell me what to do?’ And our band has been busy trying to find W/DAVY KNOWLES Now it’s ‘all right, I’ll give that a shot.’ the silver lining in it all. That’s something 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31 And it goes both ways. She’ll tell me we’re all pretty good at – finding the pos- what she thinks I need to change.” itive side.” Embassy Theatre The Tedeschi Trucks Band was initially Trucks is referring specifically to the 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne signed to the Sony label, but they decided new album that the Tedeschi Trucks Band to record Let Me Get By in Trucks’ studio, hopes to see hit shelves in early 2019, the $44.50-$84.50 thru Ticketmaster which he built in 2008 in his and Tede- 424-5220 group’s followup to 2015’s Billboard and box office, 260-424-5665 schi’s Jacksonville, Florida home. Trucks charting Let Me Get By. He and Tede- said the band members relish their new- schi and their mates – Kofi Burbridge (keys the time and playing for the Allman Broth- found independence and being able to make 260) 260) February 16-24 and flute), Tyler Greenwell (drums and per- ers. The commitments began to pile up, and music that is truer to their vision now that cussion), J.J. Johnson (drums and percus- in 2009 the Derek Trucks Band dissolved. they have control over every aspect of pro- sion), Tim Lefebvre (bass), Mike Mattison A year later Trucks and Tedeschi decided duction. Tedeschi has often credited Trucks VANYAand (harmony vocals), Mark Rivers (harmony to combine their talents – her sultry, soulful with helping shape the band’s recordings, vocals), Alicia Chakour (harmony vocals), voice and his jazzy, blues-rock guitar styl- saying that he’s the big picture guy who has SONIAand fwcivic.org Kebbi Williams (saxophone), Elizabeth Lea ings – and devote themselves to their new a vision of how an album should work out (trombone), and Ephraim Owens (trumpet) project . They renamed themselves the Tede- and works hard to make that vision a reality. MASHA – were in the studio about a month ago, lay- schi Trucks Band, and in 2012 put out their “Especially when you’re in the begin- and ing down some of the first couple tracks. debut, Revelator, which went on to win a ning stages and you’re writing tunes and They should finish the initial recording pass Grammy for Best Blues Album. compiling ideas, you have some picture of Spikeby Christopher Durang sometime this summer and the mixing and Trucks said the band’s chemistry is how it’s going to flow,” Trucks told me. July 28-August 12 mastering in the fall. strong and stable and that he and Tedeschi “Like, this is going to be the last song on the March 15-31 Trucks said that a lot of the band mem- have a wonderful time touring with their record or the first, but it’s like a setlist, re- bers’ brushes with tragedy and loss will end mates and the road crew they’ve assembled ally. There’s an ebb and flow to it. You have up in the album, and he’s proud of the emo- over the years. peaks and valleys. The idea is to always have tional hard work everyone has put in so far. “Some of it is just having the right peo- your foot on the gas pedal and then pull back “I think I can say that much of what ple together on the road,” he said. “It’s about when you need to. we’ve all gone through will be reflected putting the right combination of people to- “I think the best albums are the ones that honestly on the record. It might sound odd to gether, both musically and in terms of peo- take you to a different place. It’s like you’ve say, but I’m actually enjoying the look back. ple’s personalities. And it’s like any relation- gone on a trip and you want to do it again. There have been some hard times, yes, but as ship, really. Whether it’s with your wife and I always have that in mind when we’re re- we write and record, we’re working through kids or with your band mates, you have to cording, that feeling your favorite albums them and they’re enriching the songs.” constantly work on things, to keep the lines give you. We want to give our fans that ex- April 27-May 12 The history of the Tedeschi Trucks Band of communication open. perience.” is right there in the name. Tedeschi and “I think when we were younger, we Recording is, as Trucks said, one ani- Trucks met in New Orleans in 1999 when might have done things a little differently, mal. Touring is another, and, as the parents she served as the opening act for the Allman but we try hard to handle situations as adults, Brothers Band summer tour. Having been to keep things healthy. Of course, nothing’s Continued on page 7 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.whatzup.com -----------------------------------------------------------------May 24, 2018 whatzup Volume 22, Number 41 e’re a bit swamped here at World Headquarters, what with huge events like the Gearfest and Three Rivers Festival right around the corner, not to mention the busiest summer concert season ever here in the Fort and Wan ever-growing number of festivals at Headwaters Park and other venues through- out the region. We’re doing our level best to bring it all to you in a timely fashion, and this week’s issue is a pretty good example of the ground we’ve been able to cover. Within these pages you’ll find previews of upcoming concerts from Tedeschi Trucks Band and Ghost along with a Fare Warning column on Arab Fest, coming the first weekend in June. At the same time, there’s a local band profile (EyE-C), a restaurant review (Pas- tor’s Place), columns on upcoming events here and near here (Out & About, Road Notez), music, movie and book reviews and the most extensive art and entertainment calendars you’ll ever find. And if that’s not enough, check us out at whatzup.com where the calendars extend out well into 2019 and the good stuff to read is so vast that you couldn’t possibly get through all of it and still have a life. At the same time we’re producing all this, we’re making improvements to the app, whatzupfw, and developing new and improved features to whatzup.com. Along those Presented by lines, we’ll have a couple of big announcements soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy all that northeast Indiana has to offer. Our mission in life 5-10 PM WEDNESDAYS thru AUG. 29 is to help you do just that, and all we ask in return is that, while you’re at it, you May 30 ............................... 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