Seasick Steve "As American As Apple Pie"

Everyone has heard the old expression "As American As Apple Pie" and I honestly feel there is no use of that statement more true than when it is being used to describe Seasick Steve. Seasick Steve is an American Bluesman originally from Oakland California who started playing guitar by eight and was on the road as a musician by the age of 13. He left home to avoid abuse from his step father and remained a transient musician into the mid 70's. During those years he played with many musicians ranging from Janis Joplin to Joni Mitchell. He eventually made his way to the the Olympia / Seattle region where he became freinds with Kurt Cobain and continued his musical career recording / engineering / producing for many indie labels. In 1996 Seasick Steve was ask to produce Modest Mouse album "This is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about" to rave reviews. He eventually ended up in Paris where he was discovered and filmed by La Blogotheque. here are a couple of the videos.

His musical instruments include but are not limited to:

The Three-String Trance Wonder - This is a normal guitar that resembles a Fender Coronado, but with only three strings. It has an old Harmony pickup added and is played tuned to G, G and B using an E string in the A position, a D in the G position and a G in the B position

The One-Stringed Diddley Bow - This is a one stringed string instrument played with a slide (He uses an old screwdriver for this purpose). It consists of a 2 foot long 2x4, with a semi-loose guitar string nailed to it at both ends. It was made especially for him by James 'Super Chikan' Johnson.

The 'MDM' (Mississippi Drum Machine) - A small wooden box that is stomped upon, providing percussion. It is decorated with a Mississippi motorcycle license plate and a small piece of carpet.

There is nothing more American that blues music, and nothing more blues than Seasick Steve.