Milton Hopkins - Blues at the Shiloh... Thinkin Man's Music.

Texas is home to many of the all time Blues Music greats. When I noticed that Milton Hopkins was due to play at place just a 10 minute walk from where I live I knew I'd have to check it out.

The Shiloh Club is good old local neighborhood ice house. The place has been around awhile. It's laid out in a rectangular fashion with a with a funky poorly lit stage off to one side. The walls are full of beer signs and neon gives off a peaceful glow. The bar is worn and the mirrored back glass reflects a foggy image. The woman serving customers is on her game but would obviously rather be doing something else. Crusty characters tip back cheap beer and yell their approval for the band just getting started. I look off towards the stage as Milton Hopkins and Texas Johnny Boy get the show going.. The Shiloh is nothing fancy but its the kind of place well suited for the Blues. I pay $2.25 for a Lone Star beer, tip the bartender, and settle in for some of the best Blues Music I've heard in a long time......

Milton Hopkins was born a raised in Houston, Texas. He got his start at a very early age but his career really took form in 1950 while playing in Little Richard's band. After a couple of years he joined up with Johnny Ace and Willie May “Big Mama” Thornton. He worked for Don Robey, the founder of Peacock records, and recorded on Peacock and Duke labels in Houston. He also played with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. After Johnny Ace died from a self inflicted gunshot in 1954 he searched for a new situation but was drafted into the Army. Post military he joined the Upsetters. The Upsetters were a top notch R&B/Rock n Roll band that played for many of the great entertainers of the time. When Barry Gordy was putting together a band for his would be legendary Motown sound Milton was invited to join. He turned down Barry's offer and to this day I'm sure Milton regrets it. Throughout the 60's he played with many greats and when the 70's rolled around he was asked to join B.B. Kings band. For eight years he toured with B.B as his rhythm guitarist. As he got older allot of his musician friends starting dying off. The price of living a hard life often practiced by Bluesmen. Milton put down the guitar for 7 years and quit touring until one day he decided it was time to get back into the game. Now, at 75, he's enjoying it more than ever. Milton's heart has always been with the Blue's. If the name Hopkins rings a bell that's because his cousin was the late great Lightning Hopkins.

The first thing that really struck me about the Shiloh was the thin crowd. Given the quality sound of Milton Hopkins, Texas Johnny Boy, a seasoned bass player and a kickin drummer, I would have expected the place to be packed ! No cover, cheap beer, and a tip jar for the band. No doubt one of the best bargains in live music. Johnny Boy belted out some good vocals between harmonica and sax licks. Milton ran all up and down the fret board of his rare vintage 70's Gibson semi acoustic like the pro he is. Everything in rhythm with the bass and drums. Not to mention, a nice mix on the PA. Each song revealed a different variety of the blues. A Hispanic gentleman in a panama hat nodded his approval as he sipped on his mixed drink. A smart looking middle aged couple sat down their Shiner Bocks and scooted around the dance floor. A 50's something Vietnam vet coaxed a woman to put down her beer and cigarettes for dance. A rowdy bunch in the back expressed their enjoyment not by clapping but by yelling between songs. I ordered another Lone Star.

With the relatively small crowd I got the opportunity to shake hands and talk to Milton personally during their first break. Milton is very friendly and it was a real privilege to hear his stories. He told me about his days with Little Richard and Johnny Ace. He also told me about one time in Birmingham when he played with this new guy called Elvis. He toured extensively throughout the south back in the day and laughed when I asked him about chicken wire. Yes, he replied, “I ran into allot of that in Louisiana”. I had heard stories about stages set behind chicken wire. He said sometimes it was really necessary to protect the band. Fights would break out and bottles would fly across the room in some of the joints he played. He also told me about seeing the Beatles in Germany. Etc. Etc . He's got allot of great stories and is a real pleasure to visit with...

After the first break the music continued as Johnny Boy and Milton's repertoire honored all of the different Blues Genres. The crowd was mostly middle aged and a little rough around the edges. Everyone seemed to fit right into the songs being sung. The Shiloh is not a yuppie bar. A small group of younger people arrived and were wise enough to realize something special was going on. They ordered pink drinks for their girlfriends and soon hit the dance floor. A couple of other musicians showed up and broke out with a Sax and Trumpet. They blended in with Johnny Boy and a full horn section took hold as Milton played some smooth sounding Blues.... I was lovin it... Some of the best Blues I've heard in awhile. The real deal...

During their Second break I had the opportunity to talk with Johnny Boy and the bass player. The bass player ( whose name I didn't quite catch but I think its Dion) had some great stories of playing the clubs along Telephone road that were home to the music scene of Houston back in the day. More great stories...

By time the band finished their encore, a little past 1 am, I had had plenty to drink but didn't mind the walk home. Earlier in the evening I debated whether or not to go but I would have been a fool to miss it. Sometimes you walk into a situation and everything seems to fall into place. The sights, sounds, people, state of mind and timing all play a role in influencing ones experience. For me it was a great night where I really connected with the music. Blues is about life. It's about feelin and living through the feelings. It's light, dark, and soul moving rhythm blended with the wisdom that comes through life experience. Blues puts it all out there in a medium for everyone to listen, relate, enjoy, and heal. The blues is a Thinkin Man's Music....