Kent DuChaine

Born on 20 April 1951 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, DuChaine began playing the ukulele at six and never wavered from his goal of becoming a professional musician. The British Invasion turned his attention toward the guitar, while Eric Clapton’s interpretations of Robert Johnson numbers steered him toward the blues. During his teenage years he performed with several ensembles, including a stint on bass in a psychedelic group, all the while practicing slide guitar privately at home. In 1972 he joined Kim Wilson in Aces, Straights and Shuffles on bass and the two musicians also performed as a duo. When Wilson relocated to Texas in 1974, DuChaine soon followed with his own band, Crossroads. While based in Alabama in 1989, he encountered Johnny Shines and the two established a productive partnership. DuChaine contributed to several tracks on Back To The Country, one of Shines’ final recording sessions. The next year he launched his own independent label, operated in the manner of a cottage industry. Take A Little Ride With Me acknowledges his well-worn National steel guitar, Leadbessie, and includes a track celebrating his 1956 Cadillac, Marilyn, the vehicle that served as both home and touring conveyance throughout the 1980s.