Stephen Dale Petit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stephen Dale Petit (born 19 April 1969) is a guitarist, singer and songwriter who is a pioneer in a genre called the New Blues, and a major architect for the New Blues Revolution.

He is noted for his rock and roll associations with greats such as Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, and for writing, releasing, promoting and financing his debut album ”Guitararama.” In November 2007 he began a BLUnivErSity Tour of colleges and universities across the UK in order to raise awareness of the genre, and to make The Blues available to young people.

Contents 1 Biography and Musical Career 1.1 Early Life 1.2 Meeting with Albert King 1.3 Early Californian Tours and Early Influences 1.4 Move to UK and British Blues Boom Influences 1.5 Early UK Career 1.6 Busking on the London Underground 2 Debut Album: Guitararama 3 Influences and Ideology: The New Blues Revolution 4 UK Tour and BLUnivErSity tour 5 Media coverage 5.1 Radio 5.2 On Line Reviews 6 References 7 External Links

[edit] Biography and Musical Career

[edit] Early Life

Stephen Dale Petit was born and grew up in Huntington Beach, California, then a small surf town south of Los Angeles. He received his first guitar, a Gibson SG Special, aged 7 years old. A Huntington Beach landmark, The Golden Bear ^[1], was a fixture on the national live music club circuit, playing host to such acts as Jimi Hendrix & Bob Dylan as well as Blues legends Albert King, B.B. King and John Mayall. Petit's easy access to the live performances of some of these seminal artists and guitar talents would have a huge impact on his musical development.

[edit] Meeting with Albert King

Stephen describes this influential encounter in his own words:

“There would be two shows a night (at the Golden Bear) and I went to the early show for Albert King. His tour bus was parked out front, and on my way out I noticed him sitting in it, smoking his corn cob pipe the door was open and I asked if I could get on. We talked for 2 hours or so until he was due back onstage. He had a guitar, and he showed me some things, and then he got me into the second show.” ^[2]

Stephen Dale Petit also met and briefly jammed with blues titan B.B. King. These were among the first of what would be many notable associations with musical greats.

[edit] Early Californian Tours and Early Influences

Petit began his musical career at a young age; by his mid-teens he was performing in bars & clubs across California ( including The The Golden Bear ) 5 nights a week with bands 10 years his senior. He played alongside talents such as Randy Rhoads.

Major early influences to Petit’s musical style include early Twentieth Century Blues pioneers B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, blues front man Elmore James (also a favourite of George Harrison), Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Tampa Red, Leadbelly and Son House. He also cites British Blues pioneers Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies as having influenced his teenage musical sensibilities.

[edit] Move to UK and British Blues Boom Influences

In the mid 1980’s, inspired by the British Blues Boom of the 1960s and 1970s, and fascinated by the differences between the UK and his hometown, Petit moved from California to London, England.

The phenomenon referred to as the British Blues Boom was led by UK guitarists Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, American born Jimi Hendrix and bands such as The Yardbirds, The Animals, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, The Pretty Things and Led Zeppelin.

These artists took on, adapted and developed old blues styles which had originated in the American South in the early Twentieth Century; e.g. Delta Blues music. The British Blues boom gave The Blues a high profile worldwide, widening awareness and appreciation of the genre as well as developing it musically. Decades later, Petit would discover this music as an early teen; British Blues still has a heavy influence on Petit’s musical style today -

“You had...musicians in Britain who were as fired up about the Blues as you could be about anything…This mysterious Surrey Delta where you get all these guitar players. There is a huge, natural, instinctive inventiveness" ^[3]

Petit believes that the British Blues is equal in the weight of its impact on Blues music as the works of the genre’s African American pioneers. “The British contribution to the blues, as we sit here in 2007, is equal in my eyes to what Robert Johnson did, Blind Lemon Jefferson…all of those guys all the way through to Muddy Waters”.^[4]

Petit also says “I think it is a certainty that without the British Blues Boom the music (blues) would not have anything remotely like the profile it does.” ^[5]

[edit] Early UK Career

During his initial years in the UK, Petit played alongside Phil May (The Pretty Things), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Ian Stewart (The Rolling Stones) in May's “Friends Band” which performed dozens of gigs in London's Leicester Square and Little Venice.

During this time Petit also became acquainted with, and performed with, Eric Clapton. Petit believes Clapton's influence on guitar and The Blues is immense. Petit says Clapton builds “solos like a well written speech".^[6]

[edit] Busking on the London Underground

In late 2003, Petit began busking intensively on the London Underground as part of the Transport for London Licensed Busking Scheme. (Eric Clapton referred to Petit's busking as “really admirable”. ^[7]) In doing so, he was following in the footsteps of many Blues greats. Petit states “Knowing that Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson etc all did it, made what is essentially doing it the hard way feel like it was the only right way to start” ^[8]

Petit played at tube stations across the Capital, attracting media attention from BBC radio, press ^[9] and television ^[10], whilst enjoying ever increasing positive reactions from the traveling public of all ages & backgrounds. Petit states: “When (the public) start to stack up against the wall 10 and 20 deep and listen to you and the song finishes and they’re still there, then you know something’s up…I know from playing below the Astoria that even death metal heads, goths, punks…and skateboard kids like the Blues. Sometimes the metal kids up stairs would come down and say ‘you’re better than the stuff we just paid £15 to see,’ that sort of stuff makes an impression on you.”^[11]

[edit] Debut Album: Guitararama

The enthusiasm of the public’s response caused Petit to compose and self release debut album Guitararama, financed entirely by busking, and initially available only on the Underground. It then became available commercially in retail music stores in the UK, as well as online. The first pressing of the album has now sold out, and is a collectors item. The re-packaged re-release 19 May 2008, on 333 Records ^[12], includes 3 extra tracks ("Blues Fom Mars", "Bad Road Blues" and "A Better Answer"). The album will be made available in 3 colours, in a new Digipak format with 16 page colour booklet featuring photography from street photographer John Gladdy.

Guitararama includes many instrumental tracks, and appeals to “both the mature, Arts-appreciative audience and the younger, guitar inquisitive end of the market.” ^[13]. On it, Stephen showcases an advanced technical guitar playing ability as well as exemplifying the diverse range of musical styles the blues can span. According to a review by Propaganda Magazine,some tracks, such as “7 Cent Cotton” and “Percy’s Thumb”, have a distinctly old school sound and a Jimmy Page influence, and others have a heightened emotional feel due to a sound which is “humbucker fat, rich in harmonic distortion and overdriven sustain.” ^[14]. Classic Rock Magazine says of the album: "It’s difficult these days to put a new spin on such an old genre as the blues but Petit has managed it". ^[15]

Petit states that in making the album, his “guiding principle was to honour the music that had floored me throughout my life, to do it justice, to try and create the magic, mystery and excitement I’d heard in that music in my own songs and to capture it in the recordings” ^[16].

The first incarnation of “Guitararama” entered the Top 10 HMV Blues Album Chart in the UK (between two Robert Johnson albums), as well as the iTunes Top 10 Chart in both Norway and Sweden. Mike Andrews, a former manging director at EMI records, is leading ”Guitarama’s" re-release and distribution on 333 Records with Absolute Marketing and Distribution (AMD) through Universal Music Group. Andrews says: “Petit is a major talent and the New Blues scene is set to explode”. ^[17]

Preceding the album is the 3 track single with "7 Cent Cotton", "Told You So", and "Alexis Korner Says" with "7 Cent Cotton" video.

[edit] Influences and Ideology: The New Blues Revolution

"The reason I am on the planet is to play blues guitar. I’m on a mission to spread the word about the Blues and about the guitar – especially to young music lovers." ^[18] - Stephen Dale Petit

The UK press and media have pronounced Petit an artist at the forefront of a new and predominantly UK based musical phenomenon referred to as the New Blues Revolution, a recent revival of the Blues as an independent cutting edge genre of music.

As well as guitar playing, musicology and musical performance, Petit is a key spokesperson in this recent movement, which he refers to as "more of a campaign than a career move" ^[19]. Petit feels the Blues has faded to the background of the British music consciousness, and so his career and promotional efforts have become an integral part of the New Blues Revolution, which seeks to restore the Blues to the popularity it experienced during the British Blues Boom of the mid 1960s. Petit states “It’s not necessarily about me. I want to be a part of (the New Blues Revolution) of course but all that matters to me is that it happens, not who does it.” " ^[20].

Petit the campaigner is playing an important part in raising awareness of the extensive legacy of the blues, and it's fundamental influence on all modern guitar music.

[edit] UK Tour and BLUnivErSity tour

Petit’s ongoing BLUnivErSity Tour comprises Blues Masterclass lectures to students at universities across the UK, accompanied by a gig in the same town, free to lecture attendees. Petit began his tour on November 12th, 2007 at Guildford Academy of Contemporary Music where Petit lectured to over 80 students.^[21] Petit said of the ACM masterclass: “It’s very fitting that I’m starting my series of talks in the place that produced so many guitar players, such as Eric Clapton. It’s known as the Surrey Delta, like the Mississippi Delta where blues was widely accepted to have originated.” ^[22]

Petit gives lectures about The Blues, its history and its legacy from a musicology perspective, accompanied by short films and media. Petit says he aims to expose “raw, deep Blues” ^[23] to a wider audience and communicate the message that it is available to them. “With these masterclasses I get to share my life’s passion in a more interactive setting, explore this fascinating phenomenon that underpins all modern guitar music and therefore most popular music of the last 100 years” ^[24]

Petit is currently touring the UK to promote his new album “Guitararama”. He has previously played several London venues including The Borderline; The Half Moon, Putney; 100 Club, Oxford Street; and he has followed up a Liverpool gig at the Cavern Club with a recent gig at the Zanzibar Club. Stephen has also played The HiFi Club, Leeds.

April 2008 sees Stephen’s fourth return to 100 Club on Oxford Street, headlining with full band.

[edit] Media coverage

Stephen Dale Petit has experienced wide ranging press coverage across many mediums including BBC television news, as well as specialist and mainstream publications including Classic Rock and Blues Matters magazines, and outdoor and online advertisements.

Petit has also featured in a recent series of television documentaries by Classic Rock Productions, about legendary artists such as Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen, which refers to Petit as an “expert guitar pundit”. ^[25]

[edit] Radio

Stephen Dale Petit has made numerous appearances on student, national and regional programming, from announcements of tour dates from the DJ, to interviews and music sessions. Below is a list of the radio stations and shows Petit has appeared on:

BBC Southern Counties Radio[1] interview and track plays on Surrey Drivetime Show with Mark Carter, aired 12/11/07

BBC Radio Merseyside[2]

Interview and live session Billy Butler Show Aired live 23/11/07

Live session, interview and track plays on On The Beat with Spencer Leigh. Aired 12/07

live session with band members and interview n Billy Butler Show. Aired live13/3/08

announced gig listings Pool With Dave Monks

announced gig listings on PMS (Pure Musical Sensations) with Roger Hill

BBC London[3]

Gig listing and track plays on Lord Crowley Show with Gary Crowley. Aired 17/1/08

BBC Leeds[4]

Interview and music session on Afternoon show with Paul Carrington Aired 30/1/08

tracks played on Down In The Grooves with James Addyman

BBC Wales[5] tracks played on True Blues with Euron Griffith

BCB Radio (community radio Bradford)[6]

Track plays and gig listings on Breakfast show with John Gill Aired 30/1/08

Interview, session and ongoing track plays on InToczekated with Nick Toczek. Aired 31/1/08

tracks played on Bring It On Home with Alan Anderson Aired 22/4/08

feat on I Went to the Crossroads with David Clapham

Track plays and mentions on Mixed Bag with John Gill

Interview to be featured on Mixed Bag with John Gill

BFBS 2[7] tracks played regularly on Raven N Blues

Show with Dave Raven

Radio Ceredigion (Independent Wales radio)[8]

Telephone interview aired 11/07 and regular plays on ‘Fish Fry’ with John Sambrook

Delta FM[9]: Interview on Sunday Evening Show with David Way. Aired 11/07

Eagle 96.4FM (Guildford radio)[10] Gig listing on Breakfast Show with Alex Minns. Aired 13/11/07

Express FM (community radio Portsmouth)[11] track plays on The Guestlist with Mark P

GTFM (& Phoenix) (Wales community radio)[12] track plays on The Rock Show (online) with Andy Fox

Track plays on The Blues Show with Bob Williams

Island FM (Channel Islands independent radio)[13]

Track plays and mentions on The Edge with Simon Charlewood

Marcher Sound (Wrexham radio)[14]: interview on Saturday surgery show with Chris Dean “Deano”. Aired 11/07

Maximum FM (Yorkshire community radio) track plays by Graham Clarke

Nevis Radio (Independent radio, Scotland)[15] Played tracks on Rock Off with Eileen Ross

Spirit FM (West Sussex radio) track plays on Roots around the World with Mark Ringwood

West Sound AM, West 96.7 FM & South West Sound[16] tracks played on The Indie Show with Innes Young

XFM London[17] tour date announcement on X-Posure Show with John Kennedy

Student Radio

Shout FM (Liverpool student radio) Interview on Drivetime show with Nathan Rowden Aired live 13/3/08

LSR 106.6FM (Leeds University student radio): Live studio interview and session with Meghan Adams. Aired 30/1/08

KCC Live (Liverpool student radio) live session and interview 13/3/08

CSR (Kent student radio) track plays with Tom Foster

Bay Radio (Wales student radio) track plays with Paul Spencer

Hameldon FM (Burnley student radio) track plays with Micky Watson

YWCR (Wrexham, Wales student radio) track plays with Brian Cullen

Shout FM (Liverpool student radio) track plays and interview with Nathan Rowden

[edit] On Line Reviews

Jonni Starr Dirtyrock.net [[18]] Guitararama album review [19]

Merl Alderslade 100 Club April 2008 Gig Review at Egigs.com [[20]] [[21]]

[edit] References

[edit] External Links

Stephen's Official Website

Stephen's Myspace Most Up To Date Myspace

Stephen's Original Myspace

Stephen's Facebook fanpage Become a fan!

John Gladdy on Flickr Browse works from Stephen's album cover photographer

Tenacity Music PR Press Release from Stephen's PR agency

333records homepage Stephen's independent record label UNDER CONSTRUCTION