It has been reliably reported that the bus with the performers that accompanied him pulled out of town, leaving him behind on the streets of Houston, still drunk - Doctor Clayton is ditched by his band after showing up under the influence at a dance gig for 3,000 people in Houston, Houston Informer, August 29, 1942
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lovely interpretations of robert petway's catfish blues and shirley griffith's shaggy hound blues on lap slide - plus some other beauties too. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=slideytunes just had a look now. who is this bloke?. weird hands and quite ugly, must be some old blues guy. looks like he's been in a fight or two.
I met Tom Doughty at the Weenie gathering on Guernsey Island (UK) last Spring. Very sweet guy and, man, can he play that lap slide. Strong voice, too. I didn't know he had a youtube presence, thanks for the link. I guess he's been well known for a while in Europe. I don't think it was a fight that gnarled his hands and put him in a wheelchair. I didn't ask, but my guess is MS, altho' one of the Brits here may correct me. Sure doesn't stop Tom from making some soulful blues, eh? He is certainly an inspiration to those of us with lesser limitations.
Welcome to Weenie Campbell, bungalow bill.
All for now. John C.
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"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." George Bernard Shaw
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Tom's a great player and it's high time more people got to see and hear him. He's posted his link over at IGS, so now lots of people will be able to click the link and have a look. I'd encourage all weenies to do likewise!
For the record, Tom Doughty's disability is due to a motorcycle accident in 1974. He is paralysed from the chest down and actually has limited movement in his fingers.
However, Tom's disability is of no consequence when it comes to his music, which is innovative, inventive and quite simply beautiful to listen to. I first encountered him several years ago when I was sent his CD "The Bell" for review by a British blues magazine. My expectations were minimal (they sometimes send me stuff that is little short of crap), but as soon as I heard the first track it was a revelation. Fantastic slide playing and what a voice! I actually gave him 10 out of 10 in my review - something I rarely do, but I could find no fault with the release.
Tom uses the most bizarre tunings at times to get the effects he wants and seems to retune after virtually every song. I don't know how he does it.
Tom has since become a friend and although he lives at the opposite end of the country, I have been fortunate enough to see him play live a couple of times (on one occasion blowing a visiting US player he was supporting clean off the stage) and it was a great experience.
Check out his YouTube videos and website (buy his CDs).
Tom's not only a national treasure, he's a global treasure!
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"I ain't good looking, teeth don't shine like pearls, So glad good looks don't take you through this world." Barbecue Bob