MUSICIAN PLAYS WITH HIS SELF
by: G. BLANSTON
I was having dinner one evening
and I hear the sound of an incredible band coming from
the bar attached to the restaurant.
So I walk into the bar and expect
to see at least 2 or 3 people on the stage. But it's just one
guy. Steve Junot.
Needless to say, I was in a bit of a shock. Where are the drums
coming from? I coulda swore that I heard a bass guitar...There
were none. Just this one guy beating the shit out of his guitar
and singing like a man possessed. I was looking for
the machines...No machines either. I thought to myself "how can
this one guy be making all of this sound with just his guitar
and voice?"
Then,
right as he finished the song, people started shouting out
requests left and right. "Play some Van Morrison" shouts one
girl "Play some Metallica" yelled a frat boy. And like the
musical equivalent of Andre Agassi, he volleys their songs right
back at them. Playing everything from "Brown Eyed Girl" to
"Enter Sandman" and everything in between.
But it's not just the music that
made the night so special. Steve has a way of communicating
with his audience that makes them feel like they are part of
the show. From taking their requests, to just general cutting up
and "bullshitting" with them. Oh, and by the way, Steve is a bit
of a smart-ass, so watch out if you say anything within
his earshot. Believe me, the guy could probably be a stand up
comedian if he chose to do so.
Grant it, he has been doing this a
while. Just look at his guitar and you can see the scars of the
over 2,500 gigs he's played on it. Hell, he even has a
page on his website
documenting the ever-expanding Willie Nelson-like hole in his
guitar.
To say that I had
an incredible time listening to Steve, requesting my favorite songs and
being able to actually hold a conversation with the other bar
patrons is an understatement.
The next time I'm in town, I'll make it a point to go see Steve
again.
