Toby Walker Rocks Rocky Point High School
Students responded with a spontaneous standing
ovation that lasted several minutes as cries for “MORE!” were heard
throughout the auditorium.
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In a most memorable performance, acclaimed blues
performer Little Toby Walker entranced the Rocky Point High School
juniors and seniors on Wednesday April 13th. The performance featured
the use of a number of different instruments such as the harmonica, and
several guitars including acoustic, slide, steel, and, of course,
electric. Of particular interest was the “diddley bow”, a one-stringed
guitar that he played with unbelievable skill. Between each song and
instrumental piece, Mr. Walker gave historical background and told some
of his many stories from his experiences as he traveled the nation
(particularly in the South and the Mississippi Delta) in search of the
blues legends that were his heroes. Students learned about the unusual
strength, character, and influence of blues greats such as Muddy Waters,
Howlin’ Wolf, Etta Baker, and of course, more modern acts such as the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.
One of the most interesting aspects of the performance took place when Mr. Walker showed students how a guitar could simulate a train and its whistle, other instruments, and even the human voice. Students responded with a spontaneous standing ovation that lasted several minutes as cries for “MORE!” were heard throughout the auditorium.
Following the performance, Mr. Walker was then good enough to answer student questions in an impromptu “blues workshop” for the many students who gathered around him. After a short break, he than did a special “small session” for one of the Advanced Placement United States History classes where he further discussed blues history and answered even more student questions.
For the rest of the day students were heard throughout the hallways discussing the performance in terms such as “awesome”, “fantastic”, “the best”, “he rocks”, and “his hands were like lightening on the strings.
Mr. Walker, who is a Long Islander, has been a featured performer not only at Long Island’s own Riverhead Blues Festival, but also at a number of venues throughout the United States. Mr. Walker, who is the winner of the prestigious Memphis International Blues Challenge Award, recently returned from London and in June will again be off to Europe before coming home in July to return to the Riverhead Blues Festival as well as other concerts throughout our area and the United States.
We at Rocky Point High School consider ourselves very fortunate and privileged to have Toby Walker visit and perform for us.
Steve Shultz - Director of Social Studies and Arts in Education
One of the most interesting aspects of the performance took place when Mr. Walker showed students how a guitar could simulate a train and its whistle, other instruments, and even the human voice. Students responded with a spontaneous standing ovation that lasted several minutes as cries for “MORE!” were heard throughout the auditorium.
Following the performance, Mr. Walker was then good enough to answer student questions in an impromptu “blues workshop” for the many students who gathered around him. After a short break, he than did a special “small session” for one of the Advanced Placement United States History classes where he further discussed blues history and answered even more student questions.
For the rest of the day students were heard throughout the hallways discussing the performance in terms such as “awesome”, “fantastic”, “the best”, “he rocks”, and “his hands were like lightening on the strings.
Mr. Walker, who is a Long Islander, has been a featured performer not only at Long Island’s own Riverhead Blues Festival, but also at a number of venues throughout the United States. Mr. Walker, who is the winner of the prestigious Memphis International Blues Challenge Award, recently returned from London and in June will again be off to Europe before coming home in July to return to the Riverhead Blues Festival as well as other concerts throughout our area and the United States.
We at Rocky Point High School consider ourselves very fortunate and privileged to have Toby Walker visit and perform for us.
Steve Shultz - Director of Social Studies and Arts in Education