Talking with Michael Burks
The Michael Burks website states: Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Michael "Iron Man" Burks stands tall as a major contemporary blues figure. With a nickname earned by his hours-long, intensely physical performances, fearsome guitar attack, tough, smoky vocals and the thousands of miles logged behind the wheel of his touring van, Burks is a modern blues hero. Nobody in today's blues world successfully bridges searing electric guitar blues with unbridled rock and roll energy like Burks. Chicago Sun-Times stated: Michael Burks is a flamethrower guitarist. He is the complete bluesman, songwriter, singer, riff-master, bandleader, and showman...Savage fury and heartfelt tenderness."
The following is a little of what Michael shared in a recent interview.
Jonnye: It has been said that you started playing at 6 years old and that your dad would give you a 45 rpm to listen to while he was as work. If you had learned to play that tune by the time he returned home, you would get $1. During our talk on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, you mentioned that you gave a Blues in the School program in Belgium. You had sent the students to Google a blues song. What was that song? What do you do to nurture the next generation of musicians?
Michael: (chuckling) I asked the students who they liked as an artist. Three females said Beyonce. I said, "Y'all like Beyonce, then you like the blues." They had blank looks on their faces...they did not believe that Beyounce sang Blues. They said they did not like blues. I asked what song of hers did they like. They said "At Last." I sent them to the computer to find out that "At Last" was a Blues song and that Etta James, a blues woman, wrote it. (Quietly) Blues gets around to everyone if you get a chance to be open minded and listen. (Seriously) People say they don't like Blues. Surprisingly, I told them that you listen to Blues all the time and just don't know it. When I left that day, the students had a better outlook on Blues. (In a serious and determined voice) As far as helping the children, I try to get them to play different instruments. I would rather help them to try those then trying guns, the bottle, drugs and running in the streets. (When asked if I could quote him on that, he said definitely!) It would be better for children playing instruments in their rooms and disturbing their parents than seeing them behind bars. Of all the things that you can do in life, you have to invest in your children to keep them out of trouble.
J: On the Blues Cruise, you seemed to be everywhere, jamming with everyone. Did the Blues Cruise challenge you or just wear you down? What did you take away from working with your fellow musicians? Did you have fun or was it like working a real job? What was the most memorable thing or event that you took with you when you left the boat?
M: (Chuckling again) I enjoyed myself. I was challenged by the music and the people. I was worn down but it was a lot of fun. There is not enough time. (Emphatically) It was a HAPPY tired. It was a joyful time. Blues fans are different from other music fans...they are family. I am not one to sit in my hotel room and I am not outspoken. I love the people and being there was a great experience. I spent a lot of time playing, having dinner and just talking with the blues people...my family. On the cruise...in one week you meet the same amount of people that you do in six months of touring. Again, it was a joyful experience to play. There were so many moments- enjoying the music and seeing different musicians that I don't get to see since we are all on the road touring. The fans are my friends. It is overwhelming. There is so much love out there. The blues crowd is such a different audience. They support the artists. The Blues is such a small part of the market. It is the diehard Blues fans that keep the artists working. The Pro Jams were a lot of fun (sighing)... with Ronnie, Taj, Estrin and the rest of the musicians.
J: Everyone on the boat was talking of your great cooking. Your looked terrific in your crisp chef's coat. What is your cooking claim to fame. Is that a sideline business or a hobby? I know that your family had a juke joint in your early years of performing. Does the cooking come from those days or is it another way to express yourself creatively. Do you have a favorite recipe that you would want to share?
M: (Quietly...and then laughing and answering with great zest) It is a hobby. I have been around good cooks all of my life. I don't know doodley squat about a lot of finer foods but I do know a lot about just plain good cooking. My family had several food places. We did a BBQ House that smoked meat. "Brother Howard" (never knew his real name) lived next door and weighed about 400 pounds. I would watch him prepare, season and marinate. He didn't use sauces. He had a "mopping sauce." The marinade would be basted on the meat. You did not need any sauce. You just mopped up the juices. The meat was always perfectly flavored and good. You would have ruined it with BBQ sauce. Hmm....my favorite recipe is ....Cajun Style Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.
You peel jumbo shrimp and then wrap the shrimp with bacon. You secure it with a toothpick. I use two seasonings/rubs - from Butt Rub (butt rub.com) and Slap your Mama (Slap your Mama.com). I then use A1 Cajun flavored marinade. I pour that over the shrimp. (or, if you prefer, you can put in a Tupperware bowl and shake). Then you grill the shrimp and get ready for some good eating. (It was lunch time and I sure was getting hungry! I could picture those shrimp sizzling on the grill!)
J: I saw you for the first time at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. (I was relatively new to the blues scene.) You were out mingling with the people in the blazing sun long before you were to go on stage. My partner in crime (an avid blues fan) said to watch you and that you were the type of player to get to know...because you bonded with the people before, during and after a performance. In the middle of a very intense, well received gig, you went into the audience. The blues fans were "slayed" by your sizzling and powerful mix of guitar playing and vocals. When your performance was over, you came out into the crowd and stood watching the show. You turned into a "regular" blues fan and melded into the audience. You smiled and chatted but you were still listening to the music with a keen awareness. You did the same on the cruise. You make yourself "accessible" to the fans..is that to keep your music and your life real?
M: I am just being ME(emphatically). I like to see how the fans enjoy. I like to thank them for coming out and for their support for me and the other bands. I like to check out the bands to see their shows. I check the sound systems and see how good the sound man is. Blues people are friendly....just like a big family.
Michael shared a story about a couple who always came out to his shows. He was ill and on oxygen. His wife had tears in her eyes...saying that he had to come out because he was afraid that he would not see MB again. He had a hospice nurse help him to come out one last time. He was also a Blues cruiser. The next time that he saw the wife, her husband was no longer with her. They had tickets to go on the blues cruise...she gave them to someone who wanted to go on the cruise but could not afford it. MB said that the wife said that is what he would have wanted. Michael (seriously and slowly)...That is the blues fans that I am talking about. That man didn't just support the blues (he went out to see many artists), he endorsed the blues!
In closing, Michael said that he appreciated the people who still found the time and the money to come out and support the Blues for himself and for the other artists. Michael added..."I think that's great!
~Thanks Michael Burks for the kind words when we talked on the cruise. Thank you for the kind smiles even though you were bone tired. Thank you for the much needed hug.
