Music
Press
Music Connection Magazine:
"Seasoned duo of guitarist Walton and singer/keyboardist Thursby stay within their comfort zone in these recordings. The unexpectedly synth-laden "I Want To Thank You" is a sexy, lurching number a la Barry White. "Blues Avenue" (on which Walton's guitar wails with an Ernie Isley intensity) is cut from the same cloth; its spoken-word section allows Thursby to make the blues contemporary as he expresses cautious optimism for the country's future. This pair would do well to be even more adventurous with their retro-based sound."
Local 47 Union's "Overture":
"Grease In My Gravy" and "Burn In Hell Blues" are the first two collaborative efforts from Local 47 members Bobby Thursby and Arthur Walton.
"Bobby Thursby has been a performing vocalist since his teenage debut in the 1950s. In 2007 he performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of Roy Orbison, who signed his former group, the Velvets, to his label.
"Arthur Walton began his musical career as a drummer, but his interest subsequently turned to the guitar. He studied with such giants as pat Martino and chuck Wayne, but also yeared to "be all that he could be" musically. That drive led Arthur to become a songwriter, arranger, composer, studio engineer, producer, and creator of his own label (Samurai Records) and publshing company (Dancing Bones Publishing), as well as a private and classroom instructor of both guitar and bass.
"Grease In My Gravy" and "Burn In Hell Blues" combine Arthur's extensive blues guitar experience with Bobby's strong down-home vocal stylings to create a perfect blend of old-school rhythm and blues."
- Music Connection Magazine and Local 47 Union's Overture
Discography
CDs: "Grease in my Gravy", "Burn In Hell Blues", "Shades of Blue", "Configurations" for which we do have streaming and radio airplay. Single cut: "Blues Avenue" also is streamed and will soon be available on radio airplay.
Photos
Bio
BOBBY THURSBY, vocalist and keyboardist, has been a performing vocalist since his teenage debut with the Velvets, a 1950's doo wop group, discovered by Roy Orbison. Their hit, "Tonight Could Be the Night," became a number eight hit nationwide. In May of 2000, the Velvets taped an appearance for PBS which was televised nationally. He has performed from Texas to Pennsylvania, from Alaska to Hawaii, and from Denver to all points in between. Until his recent collaboration with Arthur Walton, he has sung with a variety of jazz and blues bands and was featured at the Hawaii Theatre International Jazz Festival's Ray Charles Tribute. His awards include:
‘Male Vocalist of the Year‘, ‘Contemporary Album of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year‘, and ‘Song of the Year’ for "I Want 2 Thank You."
ARTHUR R. WALTON, lead guitarist, bassist, composer, arranger, songwriter, studio engineer, producer and private instructor. His musical career began as a drummer but, as his interest grew in the guitar, he began private study with such greats as Chuck Wayne, Pat Martino and Frank Gambale (Chick Corea). Early on, Electronic Music Labs in Connecticut hired him to conduct clinics to demonstrate their new and innovative guitar synthesizer, the syntar, developed jointly with John McLaughlin. Subsequently, extensive studies were undertaken at The University of Hartford Hartt College of Music and The Musicians Institute in Hollywood from which he graduated. In 1985, he toured Europe with a commercial dance band (Data), and was hired to write jingles for NRK Norwegian radio. After returning to the states he opened Samurai Records, his indie record label, where he has arranged and produced albums for musicians in Los Angeles, Hawaii and Colorado. In 2007, he began a collaboration with Bobby Thursby, out of which has come two CD releases: "Grease In My Gravy", and "Burn In Hell Blues", and an upcoming third release, "Street Signs", all of which will have been published by his publishing company, Dancing Bones Publishing. Recently, Arthur was nominated as the ‘Producer of the Year’ for "I Want 2 Thank You," a single cut from his collaborative CD “Grease In My Gravy.“
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