I was four years old when I first came into contact with the instrument that has now consumed my life. The first music I can remember hearing came from my father, who played mostly Eagles songs on his old Taylor 510. That guitar intrigued me so much that when he left the room, I would pick it up and try to mimic what I saw him playing. That continued for a while, until he heard me one day and began to teach me basic chords. Thus began my obsession with the guitar.
The next great advancement in my musical progression came when I began taking guitar lessons, around age 10. I learned a lot of new things in a very short period of time, and I was also exposed to the blues (which was obviously a turning point). Hendrix awed me from the moment I heard "All Along the Watchtower". It wasn't long before I was a full-fledged Stevie Ray Vaughan addict.
When I was 11, I began taking lessons from Missippy James, who, as you all must know, is an incredible musician and a veritable local legend. In a matter of months, my technical ability and knowledge of music theory grew exponentially. I delved further into my Stevie Ray obsession for quite awhile until I realized that I had learned all I could from him, and it was time to move on.
Within a year, I'd been exposed to music from the old blues masters: BB King, Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. As my skills continued to progress, I felt a growing desire to play in front of people. In March of 2000, I played my first "gig" at the age of 13 at Cotton's Blues Club in Havana, FL at a blues jam. Just me and a drummer. Playing Stevie Ray songs. That's hardcore, folks. :) But I'd had my first taste of being a musician, and I wanted more.
For a couple of years, I'd go out to the Pearl Oyster Bar every Monday night for the Blue Monday jam. This lead to me sitting in with several local bands around town, and eventually with traveling harmonica master Pat Ramsey and the Blues Disciples. On occasion, I'm the fifth Blues Disciple, even to this day. :) I've played many places with the Blues Disciples, from the tiny 22nd Street Jazz Cafe in Birmingham, to Bullwinkle's here in Tallahassee, to the Thunder Beach Festival in Panama City.
Little more than a year after playing my first gig, I was given the honor of opening for BB King and Buddy Guy at the Tallahassee Civic Center. Other artists I've opened for and/or played with include Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger [all of the Muddy Waters Band], Larry McCray, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Curtis Salgado, Larry Garner, Jeff Cook of Alabama, and David Allen Coe.
In early 2002, the Rick Lollar Band was formed and has been playing select shows in Tallahassee and the surrounding area ever since, including some large events such as both the Rally in Tally festivals, TCC's Stu-Fac Day, and in October, we'll be playing the Indian Summer Beach Festival in Panama City.
These days, we're relying on a core of old blues tunes, with forays into jazz, funk, rock, and even gospel. Derek Trucks is currently my favorite guitar player in the world. For a more complete list of the music I listen to and love, click here. Musical changes are on the horizon for the band. Whatever happens, I know that I've really enjoyed the ride so far, and I'm grateful for all the opportunities I've had with my music. As for now, I'm looking ahead at what the future has to bring.