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Artist / Heroes,

Warren Haynes!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Posted by: Source Audio | Posted in: Artist / Heroes,

warren

 

This is another blog from our fearless and intrepid leader and founder, Roger Smith.

I am not exactly sure how long ago I first met Warren Haynes, but it pre-dates the founding of Source Audio by a number of years.  I do know that the first time I saw him play was at the place formerly known as Great Woods, a summer rock shed outside of Boston, in the summer of 1991.  There are lots of Allman Brothers fans in Boston, and we were often treated at least 2 shows per summer.  We even were also treated to some Beacon-esque like ABB experiences in the small Orpheum Theatre too.  In any event, Warren became an instant source of new life and inspiration for the band and the fans when he joined in ABB 1989, and I believe he has played a key role (along with DT) in establishing ABB as one of the very few bands in history that is as exciting in their 40th year as they were in year 1 (and there are many fans today who have experienced both).

Warren is one of the busiest men in show business.  When he is not touring with ABB, he is leading his very popular band, Govt Mule.  And when he is not doing that he is out playing Warren Haynes, solo acoustic.  And when he is not doing that he is out and about playing as a guest with all kinds of diverse musicians in New York City.  Did I also mention that he is the Guitarist for the Grateful Dead this summer too?

The Grateful Dead tour required Warren to master almost 100 songs that could be pulled out at any time.  It also required that he incorporate vast amounts of auto-wah into his playing, because Jerry Garcia made that a key feature of his tone starting in the mid-1970s.  Warren chose to use the Source Audio Hot Hand Wah Filters, because it is perhaps the only pedal that permits different auto-wah sounds to be stored and recalled as presets.  If you are at the festival in Rothbury next month, check out Warren and the Dead!

I do have some interesting trivia about Warren.  He was a very successful high school baseball pitcher.  I also have some Warren and Source Audio trivia.  Warren was the FIRST artist to actually try out Hot Hand.  This happened backstage in Orlando, Florida with our first prototype (the size of a pizza box) and a flimsy wired Hot Hand rig that was attached to the back of his hand.  Needless to say Hot Hand has progressed a long way!

While Warren may be a busy and talented guy, he is a southern gentleman and really appreciates his fans.  He is also married to Stef Scamardo, who is one of the coolest ladies on the planet.  Stef is the leader of Hard Head, a music management company in New York, and she is also a DJ and program director on one of the most popular Sirius/XM channels.  Together Stef and Warren host the annual Christmas Jam in Ashville, NC (20 years old!) and the summer Mountain Jam, which just finished up in New York’s beautiful Catskill mountains.  I attended Mountain Jam this year and would say it is THE festival in terms of great music, stunning outdoor scenery, and nice accommodations.  I am going to write up a second blog about Mt. Jam, so keep posted!!

Roger K. Smith

 

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