Thursday, November 8, 2018

Jim Pugh write-up in Forbes.com


Great write up about Jim Pugh and Little Village Foundation. in Forbes.com today.  Here's an easier to read/less adds version (hopefully the link lasts for a while)

I wish I could say Jim Pugh was a friend of mine, but the relationship is more one of fandom and Jim is just a very generous with his time.  My first direct encounter with Jim was at a recording of Sessions at West 54th in 1999 (season 3, Episode 4).  I luck-boxed my way into tickets via the mostly defunct Robert Cray Fans Yahoo group.   Had seats right next to Jim's organ.  He came out and offered us some of his gum.  I've be a Robert Cray fan for years and here I was being offered gum from a guy who I've listened to on Robert Cray tracks for years.  Star Struck.

Later on a group of us who were at the session caught a bunch of Robert Cray Band shows in several back to back nights in New England.  Robert Cray is a pretty shy and quiet guy.  He's always polite and gracious with his time, but you can tell he's not into fan interactions. As such I haven't had many interactions with him, but Jim, Karl and Keven, they were super cool and would hang out.  The Memphis Horns were on that tour and I got to meet Wayne Jackson‎ and Andrew Love as well.   It was a whirlwind weekend.

Because of that weekend, when ever I saw the band I could always count on a wave or point and smile from Jim.  It was easy to find me, I'd be one of the nerds pressed up against the stage.  When Kevin and Karl were fired from the Robert Cray Band,  Jim responded to my email asking what happened.  Like I said, he's been generous with his time and is really trying to do some good through Little Village Foundation.   There's some amazing music to be found through LVF.  Do your self a favor and check it out.  It's available on Apple Music if you're a subscriber, and on Amazon and CD Baby for most artists.