Page 43 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2024

Mal Whichelow: Your debut album ‘Deep In The Blood’ was released in 2019. How did Buddy
Guy's son, Greg, and BB King's daughter, Shirley, get involved on this album?

Chris Wragg: I was lucky enough to provide guitars and effects pedals for Buddy's Guy's guitarist Ric
Hall for Buddy's 2010 UK tour. Ric is a great guy. The whole Buddy Guy band are fantastic people,
and watching Buddy live every night was an absolute dream. I supposed it was through Ric that the
connection was made. Greg Guy recorded his track in Chicago, then came to London with his wife
Vicky. They are both instantly likeable people. I remember driving around Soho in a black cab while
Greg played a polka dot Strat he had brought with him. We crashed a few blues bars and drank till
the morning. He’s a fun guy to be around (no pun intended). He's just signed a record deal with
Delmark Records. I'm glad things are going so well for him. I'm really looking forward to hearing what
he creates. He's a huge Prince fan, so it could go in any direction! With Shirley, I contacted her about
appearing on our record. At first, she was a little reluctant. Then I sent her a demo with Greg singing.
She was instantly hooked and on board! We had a lengthy phone call and she delivered exactly what
I was hoping for. It’s great to be able to have trans-Atlantic sessions without having to leave your
studio. There really is no barrier to making a record now. We have the great Parker Kindred on drums
on this record. He has played with Jeff Buckley, Joan As Police Woman, Antony and the Johnsons,
and Lou Reed. He recorded the tracks in New York and sent them across. He has a solid groove and
has been a hero of mine for a long time. We also have Bino Ribeiro and Jorge Oliveira, who we met
while playing in Portugal -- both amazing people and musicians. I'd really like to create an album
where every track features completely different musicians from around the world! Maybe album
number 5?