Page 19 - BiTS_08_AUGUST_2024

GA: On my website you will see a photo of me picketing outside of Grant's Department Store
When the sit-ins started in North Carolina, they spread over the entire South. Young people had
to take the physical lead to protect the adults' jobs. Everywhere in the South, we sat-in and
picketed the chain stores (Grant's, Woolworth's, Newberry's and Peoples Drug Store – now CVS).

There's a saying we'd use: “hit 'em in the pocketbooks and their hearts will follow.” It was scary
being met by some white mobs with confederate flags (the stars and bars) being waved, but we
were guided by faith and the strength of our elders. BTW, my Mom was the leader of the Youth
Council of the NAACP. The fear indeed affected me, but in no way would it stop me.

At the time, I truly followed Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. As I grew and as I studied, I embraced the
black power movement and
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
Malcolm X. As I grew even
more and today even, I
basically combine the two
schools of thought to guide
my activism. You will find my
activism ever present in
many of my songs, but they
are grounded in love. Yes, the
blues is about that which
gives you trouble.

LL: How about your musical
journey? When did you start
to participate in music and
where did it lead you?

GA: I always loved music,
even as a child, but I didn't participate in creating music until high school band. As I mentioned
earlier, I made All State Band – played first chair flute. In college, I picked up guitar and dabbled
at it. Learned to finger pick and was self-taught. When my son was little, after he went to sleep,
I would pick up that guitar and figure out chord progressions.

Once I got what's now called a “boom box,” it was easier to wind and re-wind and get the lyrics,
too. I took lessons at the local music store and some lessons from Ann Rabson – my partner in
Saffire. I worked a local club 3 nights a week to supplement my income. In 1983, I got a call to
play a bigger room. I contacted Ann and asked her to join me. That laid the groundwork for
Saffire. We were a trio from 1984 – 2009 and except for our initial self-produced tape, all of our
recordings were on Alligator Records. It led us to touring all over the country and to many
international venues – even South America and South Africa.

In 1999, I did my first solo recording. It was also on Alligator and produced by Rory Block. Since
that time, I have done several additional solo recordings speaking to different audiences: to the
blues scholars, “Neo-Classic Blues” of the '20s and '30s; to another generation, “Blues Mama,
Black Son” with my blues synthesized by my son; to GLBTQ audiences, “Gaye Without Shame”
(produced by Bob Margolin); to children, the Parents' Choice Award winner, “Blues in All Flavors;”
a focus on the vocals with ‘Is It Still Good to Ya?’ a cappella blues with The Wild Rutz; ‘The Griot’
– topical blues for topical times; and “The Freedom Song Trilogy” – Volume I and Volume II. I was
driven to create in a solo format because I am a much better songwriter than singer or guitarist.
This allows me to share more of my songs, my humour, my activism with the world.