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articulate. I was chasing the experience of the music, the experience of connection
that the music brings, really to all of us, I believe. How it made me feel connected,
tethered. Up until that point, I was a bit, you would say, feral [laughs]. I wasn’t really

tethered.

BiTS: And how did the blues find you? Where did you get blues music from?

JM: That was such a gift. Such a blessing, an early blessing. My father had some blues

recordings, mostly early country Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Buck Owens, that kind
of music that he was playing around the house, but he did have some choice blues
records.

Later—meaning when I was the ripe old
age of 14—would be the first time I
would see Otis Rush. That same year I

would see B.B. King, and the way that
that made me feel, seeing them live, the
experience of their music, the total

desperation of Otis Rush, of course, in
his voice, in his playing, the raw, the
really raw truth that was happening

there, that was coming out of him. I
mean, I couldn't articulate any of this
when I was 14. I was devastated. I felt

like I was being taken hostage in a very
good way, a very good way.

BiTS: Wow! That is a hugely powerful

effect. Both of those people were fabulous guitar players. Did you not have any
inclination to learn to play the guitar?

JM: Yeah, I've had the desire, and I've never followed through with it. It might be

too late [laughs]. It might be too late.

BiTS: I don't think it's ever too late but never mind. Let's move on. You've been in
the business for some time now. How many years have you been active as an artist?

JM: Well, let's do some math, shall we, because I always lose track of that? It's
definitely 40, let's say, good Lord, is that right? I’ve got to check the calculator. Hang
on [laughs]. Yep, 49 years, my friend.

BiTS: Wow, that's absolutely terrific.

JM: Yeah, I mean, 49 years, isn't that crazy? Forty-nine years, 17 albums. It's been

good.