Music by KEN TUCKER “Brother Whiskey”
An Interview with Bluesman
KEN TUCKER
By Mark Uricheck
Equal parts whisky-throated backroom Bluesman, sage Americana storyteller, and soothing spiritualist, Indiana-based
musician KEN TUCKER’S music is processed directly from the salt of the earth. Tucker’s guitar sings a sirens call akin to the
lived-in feel of GARY MOORE or post-CLAPTON CREAM; his songs exuding a sinner’s repentance sense of salvation, and his
work ethic as blue-collar grit as his Midwest stomping grounds.
With a career spanning 30-plus years, with work ranging from sideman to Christian rock pioneer LARRY NORMAN, with whom
Tucker recorded three albums and spent time traveling the Christian festival circuit, to his appearance at the prestigious KING
BISCUIT FESTIVAL in Arkansas under his own auspices, and his upcoming solo introduction to mainland Europe via a newly
established relationship with AMAIDY ENTERTAINMENT, Tucker’s taken the fabled bluesman’s underdog philosophy and
charged ahead to push his music to new plateaus.
This June, Tucker will be releasing his latest studio album titled
“Look My Way,” his third solo outing. For this one-time winner of
the “Emerging Artist” award at the ARKANSAS BLUES AND
HERITAGE FESTIVAL, the new music is as raw and honest as it
comes; Tucker’s thrilled about the possibility of bringing his music
to new ears, and getting the listener to be moved in a very real way
in the process. The soul-to-the-bone musician recently spoke to
ION about his musical journey, giving great insight into what drives
his musical ambition.
ION: Ken, tell me about your earliest musical memories. What gave
you the bug to pick up an instrument?
Tucker: My earliest memory of music was watching my mother play
her piano. She had a small room set aside for music--the upright
Kimball piano and some Conn clarinet. I loved sitting at the piano
and experimenting with chords and scales, and I wrote my own
music because my favorite artists did. At the time I was around 9 or
10, a friend of mine named PAT DEISHER had a guitar and when we got together, he graciously let me play around with it. The
feeling of the guitar in my hands was a magical one. At this point, there was no turning back.
ION: When did you decide that the Blues was for you?
Tucker: I didn't get serious about playing music until I listened to my brother Steve's ERIC CLAPTON albums; then it became
a calling--I knew that I wanted to do that. Shortly after that, my father, also named Steve, took me to see “The Blues Brothers”
movie. Upon hearing all the great music like CAB CALLOWAY, RAY CHARLES, JOHN LEE HOOKER…I knew what musical
direction I wanted to go. Blues answered every musical question I had ever asked.
ION: Tell me about your first experiences playing live. Where you involved in the typical garage bands as a kid?