By Staff Writer
The Jeff Fetterman Band (JFB) has formed a brotherhood of blues and beyond that is undeniable for music lovers of raw, energetic, high intensity shows. No show is ever the same with their spontaneous set changes and off-the-cuff arrangements of any song they feel they want to play at the moment. They are a spur-of-the-moment band which keeps the shows interesting and unique and have been performing both original and cover music for more than a decade. The band has three albums to their credit that showcase their writing and instrumentation: The Long Hard Road, Bottle Full of Blues, and the just-released Southern Son.
As a result of their work on The Long Hard Road, the band was awarded a three-song publishing contract with Transition Music Corp in California. They have also had songs featured in both film and television, including The Closer, Passions, and the Spanish film, Tough Guy.
Fronted by guitarist-vocalist Jeff Fetterman and based in Kane, Pennsylvania, the JFB has shared the stage with such acts as Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ana Popovic, Chris Duarte, Mato Nanji and Indigenous, Molly Hatchet, and others. They continue to play live shows to promote their original music.
Blues-E-News recently invited Jeff Fetterman to participate in its 5 Quick Questions interview series. Here’s how it went.
BEN: What makes Jeff Fetterman stand apart from other blues guitarists?
JF: I tend to write my lyrics based on true events and things that either I have experienced or the things I’ve seen others experience. There is a real, true story that has happened in most of my songs. I try to connect with the blue-collar working class as I grew up in that environment and I relate to everyday living just as most everybody does. I like to write about things that can connect us together. I play my shows non-stop, I don’t like to take breaks, whether it’s a 2-hour, or a 3- or 4-hour show. I like to start off like a freight train and keep the audience energized and entertained from the very first note to the last. I work for my audience; they are there to have a good time and forget things that may trouble their minds. My job is to take them to a place that they never want to come back from.
BEN: How can we not discuss the proverbial 800-pound elephant in the room, the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it’s adversely impacted musicians. How have you pivoted in your day-to-day approach regarding recording, touring, etc. since C-19 came into prominence? –
JF: Covid has definitely made a massive impact on the music industry. We (musicians) have lost an astronomical amount of money, and shows, and it’s really hurting the venues that support live music. Some are even having to close, which is unfortunate. Most musicians have taken to doing live stream events which is nice to do but it still doesn’t capture the energy and impact of a live show and leave you wanting more or wanting to see a certain band again like seeing them live would do for you. There is nothing like touring, and I am anxious to get back on the road. Hopefully, we all can get back there soon and be safe doing it. The number one priority is safety for everyone.
BEN: Regarding your new album, Southern Son – why did you choose that title? And what are some of the songs about on the album?
JF: Southern Son has been about a two-year writing process for me. I chose the title as I am a blues lover and the blues came from the South and I love the South. I love its culture and its people. Although I was born and raised in the North, my heart and soul has always loved the blues and the Southern atmosphere. I love its music, its weather, its food. I vacation there often and also play the South as well, so in my heart I love the South and I feel connected to it, hence the name Southern Son.
Most of the songs on the album are written based on true experiences, such as the song “Living with the Blues,” which is about how I’ve always pretty much been alone in my life, playing music and never fitting in with the “in” crowds. The lyrics tell my story: “I’ve spent my whole life doing what is right for me, but I live with the loneliness nobody else can see,” which is basically music is right for me, I’m following my heart and I’m daring to be myself, but it is also a lonely ride as I have to ride alone and be myself. To play music you have to be dedicated and make sacrifices and a musician’s way of thinking is much different than that of a non-musician, which in turn, makes you not fit in with a lot of people in my opinion. Music has always come first and foremost to me, which leaves me lonely for true friendship but as it says in the song, “I’m living with the blues but there’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” and that’s the truth.
Another song, “Blues for Charlie” is an instrumental written for my father who passed away four years ago. When I was growing up there were two things that were pretty unpopular in my house. One was me lol, and the other was my guitar. My father was a hard worker and a hard drinker and a hard player. He was a Vietnam vet and he had no way to release his hurt or anger from what he had dealt with in ‘Nam. He would lose himself in his drunkenness which would lead him to resent my youth and my dreams. I believe he was never able to be the man he wanted to be due to having been in the war then coming out and starting work. And he had no way of counseling back then, so he lost himself in the bottle. He and I loved each other but we never spoke those three words. We struggled to understand each other. My father was my hero, and he was also my biggest foe. Eventually he beat his demons and became a different man, and we learned to respect each other and understand each other. As I grew older, I understood what he had gone through in ‘Nam, and he was starting to understand that I was different and wanted to touch people with my music. So, I wrote this instrumental as an homage to him. No lyrics because we rarely spoke, so I decided that I would pay my respects to him with instrumentation and let the music alone speak to him. I know he would be proud. He was a tough, old crabby bird and I miss his existence and wish there were things that I could tell him that I never said to him. I’d love to tell him the stories I’ve seen of the road being a musician.
BEN: What are some of your non-musical hobbies, interests, and pursuits?
JF: I honestly do not have many hobbies or pursuits other than music. Music has been my #1 companion since I was a kid. If I’m not playing, I like tinkering with amps and pedals and speaker changes and experimenting with tones I get from different setups. I do, however, love to watch movies. I am a big horror fan.
BEN: If you were able to form an all-time ‘super-group’ – yourself, plus another guitarist, vocalist, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist – with any musicians, dead or alive, that have ever performed, who would that band consist of?
JF: My drummer would definitely be Max Weinberg of the E Street Band. He is a powerhouse drummer, he’s not flashy and I really dig drummers who just lay the solid big beat behind the band and Max is solid and would make a great foundation.
My bassist would be my current bass player Ralph Reitinger III. Ralph is the big man of my band, he’s the secretary of the brotherhood. He’s a big man of 300 lbs and always jovial and loves to joke and have fun. We have a special connection on stage together. I’ve never had that connection with anybody else on bass as I have with Ralph. He’s solid, funky, bluesy, and can give me the biggest rhythm backup I could ask for. Although on occasion I do add a second guitar player on some shows, I can always count on Ralph to be the best back up for me and I never have to worry about what may happen. He is my security blanket on stage.
Guitarist- I would love to play with Kenny Wayne Shepherd. I have done numerous support shows for him and have gotten to know him personally but we have never actually played together on a song or jammed together. I would love that opportunity as I have the deepest respect for Kenny personally and musically. He is probably the nicest guy I have met in the business and the humblest. It’s always a joy to see him and hang with him.
Vocalist- I really dig Paul Rodgers. He’s a great vocalist who can hit the notes and he has great passion and is just a great, if not one of the best, vocalists out there, I know it’s a few miles away from the blues genre but I also like to mix rock with blues and he would nail it I think.
Keyboardist would have to be Gregg Allman. He is one of my heroes that I always looked up to and admired. He loved to play, he could sing, and he was just plain cool. I love a B3 and Gregg would have been a blast to meet and jam with.
More on Jeff Fetterman: http://www.jefffetterman.com (and) https://www.facebook.com/jefffettermanband/
