BORN WITH THE BLUES

In 1960 Buddy Black built a radio using a quartz crystal. When he was sent to his room for the
night he would listen to WSM in Nashville through a little earphone. That station signed off at
9pm, then he would tune in to the only other station he could get, WOWO in Fort Wayne
Indiana. Those two stations formed his taste in music. WSM’s format was the current charted
Nashville based songs mixed with some older ones, true Country music. From 8 untill 9pm was
the Earnest Tubb show. It featured members of the Grand Ole Opry and some emerging artists.
WOWO had a totally different genre. Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Electric Blues. The Country
music was foundational for Buddy but the 9pm on music is what pushed him to become the
performing artist he is today. You will hear him speak with reverence about John Lee Hooker,
Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf,,,

 At the age of 8 he began taking piano lessons. After about a year, he asked his teacher to
change direction, and show him how to play like Little Richard, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee
Lewis. She said that was not real music and continued trying to instruct him on how to master
Jimmy Crack Corn and Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah. He decided to explore guitar
instead and gave the piano teacher her freedom. He formed his first music group in 1964, The
Mustangs Combo.

In 1975 Buddy grabbed a couple of guitars, an old Fender Vibroluxe, a skinny tie, and hit the
road. He trusted God to direct him and direct him is exactly what happened. He had the good
fortune of being able to play with many of the artists he revered, respected, honored, and hoped
to be spoken of in the same breath. Buddy learned that the musical movements that made
Electric Blues powerful also worked for Country music. He still enjoys performing traditional
Country/Country Rock tunes, but Electric Blues is what makes Buddy wiggle on the inside. He .
was definitely “Born With the Blues.”

Buddy Black has completed a full circle. He was born to a family in Mocksville NC, a small town
near Winston-Salem. Buddy recently moved back and is in the process of opening “BB’s
Mocksville”, a night club featuring live entertainment with scheduled performances by a bevy of
exciting acts, including himself. His partner in the enterprise is world famous performer, record
producer, music director and composer, John Forbes. No matter where you are, it’s worth a trip
to hang out with John, Buddy and other performers, have some of the best New York style pizza
on earth and enjoy world class music in a warm and comfortable place. See you there!