Singing the blues with an acoustic guitar perched on your knee is one of the earliest forms of the music, almost as old as field hollers. From Elmore James and Robert Johnson to Corey Harris and Chris Smither, lonesome, guitar-pickin’ blues singers have transcended the times and remain relevant today.
One of the most dedicated practitioners of this form is Paul Geremia, a hardworking musician from Rhode Island who’s traveled the world singing the blues for almost four decades. As a kid, Geremia’s interest first turned to the blues of Charlie Patton, Sleepy John Estes and Son House, and the acoustic guitar was the instrument that captured his imagination. He soon began to develop is own playing style and eventually took it on the road. Three decades later, he’s still at it. He’s a noted finger-style guitarist; so much so that Acoustic Guitar magazine called him, “One of the best country blues finger-pickers ever.” One of Geremia’s peers, John Hammond, went even further. “Paul Geremia is a phenomenal country blues player,” Hammond said. “The guy is a killer, a great singer and songwriter … I’d go a thousand miles to hear him play.”
Geremia cast his fate to the blues in 1966 and has never looked back. Over the years, he’s driven back and forth across the country in a 1971 Chevy Nova with his six and 12-string guitars, a few harmonicas and a passion for the country blues, and he’s won fans in every hamlet, crossroads and city in which he’s stopped to play a few tunes.
Hear Paul Geremia Sunday, March 1st at the Beach Shack (1 Minutemen Cswy.; Cocoa Beach). Call 783-2250 for more details, or visit www.paulgeremia.org
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Hi Toby and Brendhen and all,
Thanks for the article! Using the new website feature that sends me updates to my email. Takes away some of the ‘miss home’ sting. xmelissa