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mored me. He was playing “Me and Bobby ZGP: What about the instrument you
McGee” and allowed me to try and sing actually play? It looks more like a wooden
along. It was the first and only time I sang box instead of a drum set.
that song without a karaoke machine. BC: I play the drums but the instrument you are
BC: Oh yeah, Ricky was a super nice guy, Vicki, and talking about is Cajon; the ‘j’ is hard because of
Frank Criss his brother David, just good as gold. When I moved word’s Spanish origin. The word translates into
sketch by Bill back here in 2012, I immediately hooked back up English, “box.” So, it is a percussion box with snare
Criss with Ricky. We played gigs again with Mike Hogan. wire across the top, inside. I love playing the Cajon
So, it was tough when we lost Ricky. By 2013, I was as much as the drums, if not more so. The Cajon,
playing some with Chuck McGill and Paula. Our even in its compact size can deliver the musical
friendship went back some thirty years. Chuck was goods.
at the bandstand when I bought my first or second
drum set, from Chuck. I’d go by the Bandstand from ZGP: Let’s talk a little about music and
time to time and once he was doing the Bandstand its potential for the betterment of humani-
Review thing with Tyler Goodson, Colton Parker, ty? Can music unite humanity?
ZGP: Let’s talk about something you and Paula (of course) and Katie their oldest daugh- BC: It could if people would allow it to. The cli-
wrote in 2013 titled, “The Muted Singer.” ter and later their youngest daughter Emily. So, mate has become so politically poisoned. I mean I
BC: I wrote that back when I was still driving a when Chuck allowed me to bring my percussion remember instances of being ridiculed in the early
truck. I did eighteen wheels for twenty-five years. box to play with them it was great. Chuck was an 70’s because of my Marine uniform and service.
I have been to every state except for Delaware and amazing musician but also an outstanding person. After the service, I ended up becoming part of
South Dakota. You’d be in the middle of the night Back in the day Chuck and Paula had the “Paula the era’s counterculture. Today, people seem to be
going down the highway, listening to the sound of Bridges Band.” digging in a little deeper and taking more cement-
the tires on the asphalt and so, it kind of felt like a ed positions. I have lost friends in today’s hostile
song to me. It got me thinking that everyone feels a ZGP: Yes, I had the great pleasure of not political polarization. Even when the country was
musicality to the events of their life. only seeing the Paula Bridges Band but filled with a variety of tension, including politics, I
with her was the legendary Carl Perkins. I never lost friends over being on separate sides of an
ZGP: Tom Petty said in a 2015 interview think they were playing at an old bar here issue. Today, you risk expressing your opinion and
that he felt he had a conduit to a musi- in town called, “Tremors.” lose friends or keep it to yourself. It is a challenging
cal energy. Do you understand what he BC: Yeah, I was able to be in the Paula Bridges Band balance and I’m somewhere in the middle.
means, and do you agree? up until Chuck passed away. It was quite difficult However, I look for the ‘goodness’ in people because
BC: Yes, I absolutely agree with that. It is what losing Chuck and I’m grateful for all the amazing it can make all the difference. Are you willing to
drove me to music. My dad, George Frank Criss, Sr., times. I was playing with them while still driving a help a person in need, regardless of their pollical If you visit Jackson, Tennessee, be sure to
owned several sawmills “GF Criss”. My parents were truck. I would work my vacation time so I could get beliefs? There are decisions being made politically take in a show. There is plenty to keep you
divorced when I was young, but my mom returned into town on Fridays and play with them. We were that I do not agree with, but it does not create hate entertained here, whether a theatre buff or
to Mississippi and worked as a waitress. There are playing then at T.J. Mulligans. in my heart. There is an individual awareness of
videos of a six-year-old that plays better than me. being alive and being aware of being alive. Human you require the power of live music, where
I never considered I could do that, but I’ve loved awareness that gives us the stories that we call our you are sure to run into the talents of Bill
music so much that I could feel that rhythm. So, history. When we look back over our individual and Criss.
when I met Ricky Deaton in early 1977, he would collective histories, we will find good and bad. But
go around to parties and bring his acoustic guitar the coolest thing is people sharing things that are In Jackson, Tennessee, as in the popular
and I’d pick up a coffee can and beat along with it. inspirational and uplifting. television theme song, “Cheers,” everyone
One day Ricky said, “Man go get some drums.” It
occurred me then, “why not.” I realized I could play ZGP: What if tomorrow all the music we knows your name. This is especially true if
them a little bit and it built my confidence opened know, and love, was gone? you are Bill Criss. Just ask any Jacksonian
up a whole new world for me. BC: Well, I’d still be writing my thoughts down. No about Bill, and you will genuinely find that
one would be whistling on their way to work. Music the man behind the musical myth is true.
ZGP: I remember one time being at a par- is just part of us, not just the ones that make it but
ty and Ricky and Vicki Deaton was there. those who listen to it. We are all musical, if we can
Ricky was playing the guitar and he hu- play or not, music is a part of everything.
92 www.zoegracepublishing.com ZGP Magazine ZGP Magazine www.zoegracepublishing.com 93
