Biography
Buddy Whittington served for many years as a guitarist supporting John Mayall, known as the godfather of British Blues, before issuing his own recording in the spring of 2009 through the Belgian label Blues Boulevard. He continues to join Mayall for performances across the United States, Canada, and Europe, totaling over 150 shows annually. Their initial encounter took place in 1991 during a Mayall tour stop in Dallas-Fort Worth, where Whittington's group, the Sidemen, performed as the opening act. Impressed by Whittington's guitar technique and precision, Mayall contacted him in 1993 to fill the vacancy left by Coco Montoya's departure.
Whittington took up the guitar at the age of eight, inspired by his sister's albums featuring the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers alongside Eric Clapton. Following his graduation from high school, he performed consistently in the clubs of Dallas and Fort Worth, developing the ability to handle styles ranging from the Texas swing of Bob Wills and Don Walser to rock and roll and the classic R&B associated with Bill Doggett.
The blues stayed his primary focus, leading him after six years touring with Mayall to issue his self-titled debut album on Blues Boulevard in 2009. In addition to establishing his vocal approach, he developed his songwriting abilities through extensive travels with Mayall throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. The record features his compositions such as "Young & Dumb," "Pay the Band," and "Stevie Rave On," the last a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died in a helicopter crash during the summer of 1990. His instrumental piece "Greenwood" honors Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac, while "Second Banana" ventures into blues with humorous elements. Provided that blues venues and festivals continue to thrive across the United States, demand will persist for Whittington and his particular brand of Texas roadhouse blues.
Whittington took up the guitar at the age of eight, inspired by his sister's albums featuring the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers alongside Eric Clapton. Following his graduation from high school, he performed consistently in the clubs of Dallas and Fort Worth, developing the ability to handle styles ranging from the Texas swing of Bob Wills and Don Walser to rock and roll and the classic R&B associated with Bill Doggett.
The blues stayed his primary focus, leading him after six years touring with Mayall to issue his self-titled debut album on Blues Boulevard in 2009. In addition to establishing his vocal approach, he developed his songwriting abilities through extensive travels with Mayall throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. The record features his compositions such as "Young & Dumb," "Pay the Band," and "Stevie Rave On," the last a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died in a helicopter crash during the summer of 1990. His instrumental piece "Greenwood" honors Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac, while "Second Banana" ventures into blues with humorous elements. Provided that blues venues and festivals continue to thrive across the United States, demand will persist for Whittington and his particular brand of Texas roadhouse blues.
Albums
