I have been a huge music lover since my childhood. As a young boy, I was captivated by the recording of the Woodstock festival. Among all the celebrities who performed on stage there was my absolute guitar hero Alvin Lee with Ten Years After. With them, my search for the origins of their music began. Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson, I came across them all and enjoyed their work, whether performed by themselves or other artists. At that time, I also started playing guitar and picked up the bass in my first band, as often happens, because no one else wanted to do it. And I have always continued to play and still do. Currently in the Damn-Inlaws and the band Thin Line. In addition to my role as an active (amateur) musician, I have been chairman of the Copyright Platform at Confederation of Dutch Companies and Employers for eight years. This allowed me to play a role in offering artists reasonable compensation for their work as authors or performers by negotiating the fees that the business community pays to copyright organizations such as Sena, Buma, and Videma through licenses.
But when it comes to my favorite album, that would be Keb’ Mo’s 1998 album Slow Down. Keb’ Mo because, to me, he is the man who bridged the gap between the ‘old, original Blues’ and its contemporary interpretation. Kevin Moore, as Keb is really called, is a guitar virtuoso who knows how to captivate his audience, both solo and with a band. But what I really find valuable are the lyrics he writes. This album Slow Down contains a few beautiful gems. My favorite is Henry. “Remember if you can, when cotton was picked by hand.”
But I also love his playful use of lyrics in a song like Soon as I Get Paid. People who are not familiar with this album should really sit down and listen to it, not only for the wonderful music but also for the lyrics. I also met Keb’Mo in person over 11 years ago. After his performance at the North Sea Jazz Club in Amsterdam, he took the time to chat one-on-one and take a photo. A wonderful memory.
My personal anthem is also on Slow Down, Better Man. My mission in life is to become a better person. One of the ways I do that is by bringing a little joy through the music I make with my musician friends.