Rocking with Jam Man Talks with Lance Lopez
Rocking with Jam Man Talks with Lance Lopez and we try and figure out why he has the Blues, becoming a Blues legend by age 14, his new album Trouble is Good, touring, and what is next
Lopez was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. At the age of 12, he moved to Dallas to live with his mother, and then on to New Orleans, two years later, to reside with his father. By the age of 14, Lopez was playing guitar in the local bars and clubs in the French Quarter in New Orleans, already a professional musician.
His time in high school was split between New Orleans and Florida, after his father moved again. Lopez continued to play in local clubs on evenings and weekends. The family returned to Dallas when Lopez was 17 years old.
He was recruited at the tender age of 17 by Grammy-nominated, Blues Hall of Famer, blues/soul legend Johnnie Taylor, and Lopez toured in Taylor’s band around the Chitlin Circuit for six months.
At the age of 18, Lopez was hired by acclaimed bluesman Lucky Peterson with whom he toured the world for three years. During this time Lopez established a friendship with drummer Buddy Miles, and he became the guitarist for a couple of brief spells for the Buddy Miles Express. Miles mentored Lopez, leading to Miles co-producing Lopez’s debut album, First Things First (1998).
In December 2000, Lopez and his band toured Europe, which led to him to supporting both Steve Vai and Jeff Beck the following year.
In 2001, Lopez opened for B.B. King in Texas, and he and his band was awarded the ‘Blues Band of the Year Award’ at the Dallas Music Awards.
Lopez released his second album, Wall of Soul, in 2003 which was co-produced by, and also featured red-hot blues guitarist Eric Gales. After the release of Wall of Soul, Lopez performed around Texas, opening shows for Los Lonely Boys and Joe Bonamassa.
Lopez released his third album, Simplify Your Vision (2006) and his fourth album, Higher Ground came out in 2007.
Over the period between 2008 and 2011, Lopez toured in Europe extensively, playing at larger music festivals and supporting acts including ZZ Top, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, and Rod Stewart.
In 2009, Lopez had signed to German label MIG (Made In Germany) Records. He released two well-received albums on MIG, Salvation from Sundown, and Handmade Music.
In 2012, Supersonic Blues Machine was formed by Lopez, renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff, and bassist and record producer Fabrizio Grossi.
They released their debut album in 2016, West of Flushing, South Of Frisco. The band was ‘augmented’ on the recording by a stellar list of axe wielders including Billy Gibbons, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Eric Gales and Chris Duarte.
Supersonic Blues Machine had its worldwide debut concert at the Holland International Blues Festival on June 4, 2016, in Grolloo, the Netherlands whereby Lopez received great reviews of his whiskey-soaked vocals and burn-the-house-down guitar playing.
After the release of the band’s second album, Californisoul, the rigours of touring and the lifestyle caught up with Lopez and he left the band.
He resurfaced with a live album, Live in NYC , which was issued on Cleopatra Records and resulted from Lopez attending, and performing at, the 70th birthday party for Johnny Winter.
Lopez then signed with the Mascot Label Group in November 2017, and his debut album on their Provogue Records imprint was Tell the Truth, which was released on March 2, 2018.
Now excited to be back with Cleopatra Records, the amazing Trouble is Good is the next step forward for Lance as he continues his exciting and interesting musical journey. Please come join him.
Link to Lance’s Facebook page:
