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Spotlight on people - Looking for a shot at stardom
Photo by Jeremy Belk Decatur based band Deja Blue hope to take it to the next level with their fusion of southern rock and blues. Shown is drummer Mitch Morrow, basist Joe Grant, and lead guitar/vocalist Rick Wiggins.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Jeremy Belk Staff Writer
DECATUR - From the outskirts of Decatur, the band Deja Blue is hoping its sound and rhythm will push them to the next level of music.
Rick Wiggins, Mitch Morrow and Joe Grant make up Deja Blue. The band has been playing venues from Alabama to North Carolina, along with several spots in Tennessee, including Nashville.
The group started playing together last October and has since been performing every weekend.
Wiggins, lead guitar and vocals, and Morrow, drums, had played together before in other projects but needed someone to play bass guitar. They said they auditioned several people before finding Grant.
Wiggins said Grant was "the perfect piece to the puzzle."
Wiggins added he has been waiting 27 years for the right combination and he thinks he found it with himself, Wiggins and Grant.
The band plays a variety of songs from rock and roll to blues with a mix of cover tunes, along with their own original songs. The band's original songs are described as a mix of blues and heavy with a definite Southern rhythm. But because they often play at bars or special events, they have to play the classic cover songs.
"We have to be able to play Ozzie (Osbourne) or Lynyrd Skynyrd with equal enthusiasm," Morrow said.
Recently, Deja Blue has placed very well in regional band competitions and has taken some top honors, Wiggins said. He hopes they can move from regional venues to going out nationwide.
Morrow said the band has had a great response everywhere they have gone. He added as artists, you're often your worst critic and there have been performances where they didn't think they did well - only to find out the person who booked them absolutely loved their show.
Wiggins said as the band is touring and competing in band competitions, it only takes making the final round in a competition or getting heard by the right person for things to work out and set them up for better touring gigs.
"It's hard getting that one shot," Morrow said.
Said Grant, "It's a difficult place to be."
The three men come from different backgrounds. Wiggins said he has been playing the guitar since he was a young boy and has worked building furniture while playing in bands. Morrow said he was a truck driver before meeting Wiggins. Grant built oil rigs in Texas before moving to Tennessee. He said he was a factory worker and had gotten laid off when he heard the band was auditioning for bass guitarist. "I was in the right place at the right time," he said.
The band members said they've been fortunate to find each other and to have a great road manager in John Lively, who helps the band set up on stage, prepares the lights and keep them on track.
"We've been very fortunate," the band agreed in unison.
Deja Blue has been in the studio working on its second album. The sounds of their upcoming project can be heard down the hill from their garage-turned-studio on Morrison Road just outside Decatur.
The band has a Web site, www.dejabluerocks.com, along with a Myspace page at www.myspace.com/contactdejablue. The Internet sites have the band's schedule along with samples of their songs.
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E-mail: jeremy.belk@dailypostathenian.com
http://www.dailypostathenian.com/dynamic/News/Story/157206
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Discography
Burdens and Blessings Album
Songs titles:Spare Nickel, Smile, Witch Doctor, Devil On The Front Porch, Uranus, It's Not Easy, Trouble With Bad Luck
River Of Wine is one of the "New Unreleased songs off of the new Album currently under production.
These tracks are played on various websites including Indie unsigned artists, Ourstage and Myspace.
Check out our website using the link below.
Photos
Bio
Deja Blue is a rock 'n blues band formed in the small town of Decatur, Tennessee. It has been said that Deja Blue offers an “ AMAZING show with both tone & talent.” They are currently playing a wide range of venues and are in the process of recording a new album. Their goal as musicians is to share their music with people who are looking for a combined mix of Rock and Blue's together, forming a pefect sound and excitment that you can only find in Deja Blue.
Deja Blue completed it's formation with Rick Wiggins ( lead vocals, guitarist /songwriter ), Mitch Morrow ( drums ) and Joe Grant ( bass guitar ).
Deja Blue is an experience that has something for everyone. We offer a variety of songs (both covers and originals) from ballads, rock, blues, and alternative genres. Our style is a blend of everything that intrigues us musically, while keeping the crowd's satisfaction in mind. We like to give our fans a voice in our music by posting polls that allows the fans to vote on the next cover song we will perform. The magic that is represented in this band can't be undone. We all have been truly blessed, and with our determination and talent we are very optimistic about our musical career. We anticipate each performance and eagerly invite any opportunities that may be presented to us.
Our showmanship is of most importance to us, pleasing the crowd is the main objective and with our musical abilities we have no doubt that satisfaction is guaranteed. We would like a chance to prove ourselves to all.
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