Band History and Stories !
Here's a copy of an article written about us in 1991 by the Charlotte Observer:
Local Boys Play the Blues in Part Time Blues Band
by Gina Piccalo
They call themselves the Part Time Blues Band but their sound is 40 hours a week strong.
The Band's members come from Davidson and Statesville and they're burning up stages all
over the carolinas.
Last month they opened for the Neville Brothers at the Blockbuster amphitheater. Although
that show was the biggest ever for the veteran musicians, they will tell you playing to a
crowd of thousands isn't what they're all about.
"I'm not trying to hit stardom. I just want to have a good time" explains guitarist
Rusty Barkley, the band organizer.
Listening to these guys play, it's evident they aren't just in it for the attention.
The sounds of B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Elmore James drench their performance with
soul.
Drummer Bob Dunlap and Barkley's brother and bass guitarist, Johnny keep the band's hard-driving sound consistent and blue.
Johnny has ony been with the band for a few months but he's played guitar since his days
at Alexander Junior High School in the 1960's. As a property manager for McMahan-Carver
Real Estate, he's the only true part time musician of the group.
Rusty and his brother grew up in Davidson. For the last 20 years, Rusty has been playing
professionally. He remembers opening for the The Young Rascals in 1967 at what is now
Charlotte's Old Coliseum, as his first big show.
Although they definitely have the talent to draw the audiences, Part Time Blues Band
usually plays local bars throughout Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston- Salem.
With the blues making a comeback with maintstream audiences, the Part Time Blues Band
stays busy touring.
Barkley, Drake and Dunlap play in other bands on the weekends. You can catch them with
band like Blues With a Feeling, The Messengers, and Ministers of Sinister.
Although the Part Time Blues Band has been just that a little more than a year, by August
they hope to be performng as a full-time gig.