Toby Walker - How I Got The Blues
A unique, multimedia musical presentation
"Loved this show. …to hear Toby tell of his journey…was fascinating, funny and extremely entertaining! The music .. is second to none…By far the largest crowd I've ever seen (at this venue). Kudos to you and long live the blues!”
Jeff Steinberg
"Loved this show. …to hear Toby tell of his journey…was fascinating, funny and extremely entertaining! The music .. is second to none…By far the largest crowd I've ever seen (at this venue). Kudos to you and long live the blues!”
Jeff Steinberg
With James 'Son' Thomas in Leland, MS
With Etta Baker in Morganton, NC
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Through humorous stories and soul-stirring songs accompanied by a slide show, Toby Walker escorts you through the Deep South, where he learned songs and licks from the old time musicians who laid the foundation for the Blues as we know it today.
Meet Etta Baker, who at 80 years of age not only was still a master of fingerpicking guitar but had just finished shingling the roof of her house!! Next up is 68-year-old James “Son” Thomas, who, despite a recent gunshot wound, was entertaining two girlfriends, both less than half his age! They are a sampling of the musicians who Toby tracked down, learned from and now brings to life in this show. Throughout the evening, Toby uses a variety of instruments, including a one string diddley bow, National Steel guitars, harmonicas and even a cigar box guitar. |
Highlights from the evening.
If you're the kind of the person who goes to the end of the book to see how it all turned out, scroll to the bottom of the page.
If you're the kind of the person who goes to the end of the book to see how it all turned out, scroll to the bottom of the page.
A Great Night
Eight and sometimes ten different instruments, including 2 cigar box instruments, Steel guitars and harmonicas.
What the bookers are saying about the show:
"Toby's got that combination of personal flair and technical ability that makes me want to just stay in my seat and demand more, then some more, and then some more again. When it comes to acoustic blues, I've heard plenty of "good", but here's the deal - Toby's got fantastic..."
Barrett Wison - President of the Folk Project - Morristown NJ
"Toby Walker is more than a powerhouse performer, and his show - 'How I Got The Blues' is more than just a concert. It’s also story, a travelogue, a commentary, an autobiography, a series of biographies, and a one-man show. It’s like the story, music and magic of the Broadway hit Jersey Boys was distilled into one Staten Island guy. He kept our audience rapt and thrilled from his note to his final chord. It’s obvious the blues transcends all audiences because our house was packed with regulars and newcomers. It is a rare and wonderful night when we are so packed that we have to turn away audience. That night we did. That night we had our first seismic ovation, a phrase coined specifically for the thunderous reaction our audience gave Toby’s 'How I Got The Blues.'
Mark Schaffer - The Artist Liaison and Booking Representative for the Acoustic Getaway
"Ace guitarist/singer and raconteur Toby Walker takes his audience on a high-energy tour of blues country, and introduces the blues legends who taught him. You'll be dazzled by Toby's musicianship; you'll be tickled by his stories; and you'll even (painlessly) learn a thing or two."
Jay Wilensky - Board member of The Folk Project of Morristown NJ
The audience's reaction:
"Last night, Toby demonstrated that he is a blues guitar maestro and raconteur supreme! Loved the original tune about the record collector's experience down south. Thanks Toby, for sharing so many great stories about your musical journey."
Steve Comeau
"What a great experience. Not only did we get to see and hear Toby perform at his usual standard of excellence, we were delighted at hearing his stories about meeting and learning from the old Blues Masters. … he totally engages the audience and leaves them longing for more."
David Derr
"Entering the auditorium blowin' on his harp, Toby Walker bounces up onto the stage to take us of on a blues journey of songs and stories that he gathered during his travels in the South from surviving musicians such Etta Baker, Son Thomas, and Eugene Powell. Electrifying the audience with humorous, personal anecdotes and playing numerous instruments, Toby is accompanied by a slide show of photos taken during these visits. Toby moves us from sadness (some dark views of the '60s South) to joy (love and labor) throughout the show, even bringing up members of the audience to act as 'roustabouts.' Closing out, Toby uses his harmonica to take us on a joyful, audience-engaging ride on the rails from the deep South on up to Chicago -- complete with barking dogs, a cow on the tracks, a race with an aah-ooh-gah horn-blowing Model T, and a naggin' child. This master musician and storyteller leaves us with smiles on our faces. Be sure to catch this show the next time Toby's in your town!"
Howard Geduldig
"Toby's got that combination of personal flair and technical ability that makes me want to just stay in my seat and demand more, then some more, and then some more again. When it comes to acoustic blues, I've heard plenty of "good", but here's the deal - Toby's got fantastic..."
Barrett Wison - President of the Folk Project - Morristown NJ
"Toby Walker is more than a powerhouse performer, and his show - 'How I Got The Blues' is more than just a concert. It’s also story, a travelogue, a commentary, an autobiography, a series of biographies, and a one-man show. It’s like the story, music and magic of the Broadway hit Jersey Boys was distilled into one Staten Island guy. He kept our audience rapt and thrilled from his note to his final chord. It’s obvious the blues transcends all audiences because our house was packed with regulars and newcomers. It is a rare and wonderful night when we are so packed that we have to turn away audience. That night we did. That night we had our first seismic ovation, a phrase coined specifically for the thunderous reaction our audience gave Toby’s 'How I Got The Blues.'
Mark Schaffer - The Artist Liaison and Booking Representative for the Acoustic Getaway
"Ace guitarist/singer and raconteur Toby Walker takes his audience on a high-energy tour of blues country, and introduces the blues legends who taught him. You'll be dazzled by Toby's musicianship; you'll be tickled by his stories; and you'll even (painlessly) learn a thing or two."
Jay Wilensky - Board member of The Folk Project of Morristown NJ
The audience's reaction:
"Last night, Toby demonstrated that he is a blues guitar maestro and raconteur supreme! Loved the original tune about the record collector's experience down south. Thanks Toby, for sharing so many great stories about your musical journey."
Steve Comeau
"What a great experience. Not only did we get to see and hear Toby perform at his usual standard of excellence, we were delighted at hearing his stories about meeting and learning from the old Blues Masters. … he totally engages the audience and leaves them longing for more."
David Derr
"Entering the auditorium blowin' on his harp, Toby Walker bounces up onto the stage to take us of on a blues journey of songs and stories that he gathered during his travels in the South from surviving musicians such Etta Baker, Son Thomas, and Eugene Powell. Electrifying the audience with humorous, personal anecdotes and playing numerous instruments, Toby is accompanied by a slide show of photos taken during these visits. Toby moves us from sadness (some dark views of the '60s South) to joy (love and labor) throughout the show, even bringing up members of the audience to act as 'roustabouts.' Closing out, Toby uses his harmonica to take us on a joyful, audience-engaging ride on the rails from the deep South on up to Chicago -- complete with barking dogs, a cow on the tracks, a race with an aah-ooh-gah horn-blowing Model T, and a naggin' child. This master musician and storyteller leaves us with smiles on our faces. Be sure to catch this show the next time Toby's in your town!"
Howard Geduldig
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Here I am with the Mississippi Blues man James 'Son' Thomas right on his front porch in Leland, MS, getting it all firsthand. One can only learn so much from books and records. |
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Toby comes fully prepared with a projector, screen and iPad. If you don't have a P.A. he can easily supply that as well.
This show can be performed as full concert or a shorter version for guitar workshops. Venues can range from auditoriums to house concerts and... even schools!
"When you ask the students what they remember most about 8th grade, this is it"
- Jeff Moss - English Teacher, Weber Middle School
This show can be performed as full concert or a shorter version for guitar workshops. Venues can range from auditoriums to house concerts and... even schools!
"When you ask the students what they remember most about 8th grade, this is it"
- Jeff Moss - English Teacher, Weber Middle School
Interested in booking this show?
How it all turned out.