"As long as the Blues remains the 'music of the soul', I believe that it has a healthy future. All other forms of music will continue to change, and maybe even die off. BUT THE BLUES WILL NEVER DIE!"

Franco Paletta: Catch A Blues Buzz

Since breaking into the Portland Blues scene in the Mid-80's, Franco Paletta has become one of the mainstays of the city's Blues fans. His dynamic harp style and unique vocals has made him one of Portland's favorite Blues personalities. His Harmonica influences include: Sonny Boy Williamson, Paul Butterfield, James Cotton, Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton, Kim Wilson, William Clark, Rod Piazza and others.

As good as his Harp Playing is, Franco's strong vocals are what thrills the listeners. He has a unique vocal style that let's you know that you are listening to a true Bluesman. Franco says: "There are just so many great players; I try to take a little from each of them! I mix'em up, and it just comes out Franco. I don't try to sound like anyone. When people listen to me sing they get pure Franco. I've been given a gift, and when I sing the Blues, it's my way of passing that on to someone else."

He has also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a virtual Who's Who of Portland's Blues Luminaries, including Paul DeLay, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, Peter Dammon, Jim Mesi, Chris Carlson, Duffy Bishop, Jimi Bott, Dave Kahl, Dover Weinburg, Suburban Slim, Robbie Laws, Terry Robb, Doug Rowell, and Norman Sylvester to name a few.

In 2007 Franco won the Cascade Blues Association's "Journey to Memphis" Competition and was privileged to represent the CBA at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. Franco has also been seen at festivals regularly around the Northwest including the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, OR; Winthrop Blues Festival in Winthrop, WA. The Tri-Cities Blues Festival in Walla-Walla, WA. and The Biscuits and Blues Festival in San Francisco, CA.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How do you describe Franco Paletta sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy?

I guess you would have to characterize my music as a more contemporary version of the Blues that relies heavily on the traditional Blues that have gone before. I wanted the music to stand out a bit from the everyday I-IV-V Blues bands. I love Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton, but it just seems like everyone was just playing them to death, with little, if any, originality….I wanted to break away from that. My cd’s, “Can’t Kick Love“, and “I Like It Just Like That” do that.

Photo by Jim Dorothy

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

One of the things I’ve learned about myself from the Blues is that I’m just like everyone else, with the same feelings of hurt and joy that we all go through on a daily basis. The Blues is a way to express the things that are relevant in my life. It’s “the music of the Soul,” as my Friend, and guitar player, Jason Thomas put it in his song, “Living the Blues Again.”…..”Wherever I’m goin’, wherever I’ve been, I’m livin’ the Blues again.”

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD BLUESMAN and SONGWRITER?

Every experience I’ve ever lived has made me the bluesman that I am today; good, bad, happy sad…They’re all colors on the palette of a songwriter’s life…as far as the actual writing of my songs goes, I’ve never just sat down to write a song on purpose. The songs on both of my cd’s are like gifts from above. They just seem to come to me out of the Blue, so to speak. I’m sure that they’re influenced by my life’s experiences, but usually they just get dropped in my lap, and I need to hurry and get them written down before they’re gone forever….Stealing from the Masters works as well….hahaha!!!

Which is the most interesting period in your life? Which was the best and worst moment of your career?

When you’re living your life day by day you really don’t take the time to judge how interesting different times are. Looking back through time, all of my life has been interesting for one reason or another. What’s really interesting is looking back and seeing how everything, from the time I can remember as a child, until today, has made me what I am today; a childhood growing up in a dysfunctional home (loving yet dysfunctional), growing into who I was in grade school, and then high school, the war in Viet Nam, the rebel years after returning from that place, finding and losing love, finding the music that has brought me to where I am today, and thanking a loving God for ALL of it.

I have yet to experience what you could consider the best or worst moments of my career….Playing to nearly empty rooms is no fun at all, and I’m sure that each musician goes through that occasionally. Playing before thousands is something that every musician should get to experience at least once, though most will never come close to that…

Do you remember anything funny from the recording and show time with your band?

The recording and performing may not always be funny, but it’s always fun. If it’s not fun, you should just pack it up and go home.

Had a producer who was always braggin’ on his gear and it was some really nice equipment. But every time we went to record, something would mess up, and we’d spend the next however long listening to this gentleman swear a blue streak at his gear. I suppose you can glean some humor out of that if you try hard enough.

What are some of the most memorable gigs and jams you've had? Which memory makes you smile?

One summer a few years back, Tommy Castro brought the Legendary Rhythm and Blues cruise to Portland‘s Aladdin theater. He was accompanied by Deanna Bogart, Magic Dick, and Kenny Neal, as well as his stellar band.

At the intermission, I went and said "Hi" to Tommy, told him what a great job the band was doing, and told Magic Dick how much he sucked (he also mentioned that he blew as well)…a harmonica player bonding moment, if you will.

Anyway, the second half of the show starts and Tommy pulls Portland’s own Lisa Mann out of the audience to come up and play bass. The crowd loved it. One of their own hittin’ it with these Legendary pros….after about three songs, to my utter amazement, and pure delight, Tommy calls ME up out of the audience to sit in. the crowd blew up, and I proceeded to partake of the jam of my life with Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart, Magic Dick, and Kenny Neal (Lisa was still playin’ bass). We proceeded to “tear it up”, as they say. I was even asked to sing one! Now that was some fun!

Playing festivals has always been the most memorable thing for me. From my first one in Winthrop, WA, to the Waterfront Blues Festival, in Portland, OR, I’ve always enjoyed  playing for the huge crowds that a festival generates…It’s that happening vibe that seems to accompany a sea of people who dig what you’re doing!

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Blues is the kind of music that reaches right inside you and shows you the different emotions of life…It’s a music that shows us who we are, where we’ve been, where we can go. It’s a spiritual thing that once it grabs you, won’t let go…I’m following that…Wouldn’t you? It’s like a drug that feels so good you just have to come back to it again, and again, and again….and the people do.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

Getting to meet important people in the industry has always been very important, and if you mange to treat them like regular, everyday folks (cause that‘s what they are), with respect and honesty, they will respond in kind.

My wife, Jeri, schmoozing and passing out cd’s in the hotel lobby, met two great guys at the International Blues Challenge, in Memphis, this past January; Gil Anthony, from Dothan, Alabama, and Dave Harrison (Bluzndablood Dave), from Roanoke, VA. Now these were two everyday guys who just happened to be dj’s on some top-flight Blues stations in their respective cities…these two guys were playing my cd on their stations before we got back to Portland. Why? Because we treated them with respect and took the time to become friends with them. Of course, it helped that they loved our music!

As far as advice goes, I’ve never really ever had anyone in this business just drop some on me. But I have learned that if you “believe in yourself“, and “NEVER GIVE UP!” things have a way of working out…May take a while (they call it payin‘; dues), but they do.

Photo by Jim Dorothy

Are there any memories from Paul DeLay, Curtis Salgado, and Lloyd Jones, which you’d like to share with us?

Paul DeLay was a BIG, BIG man. I, on the other hand, am not. At a benefit at The Cascade tavern, in Vancouver, WA, I found myself standing behind Paul when he, inadvertently, took a step backwards, off the stage. What was I to do? Try to keep a 400lb gentleman from falling to the floor, or not?...“I’m sorry, Paul, I just had to move!” I’m sure he understands….

Lloyd Jones is a treasure. A great musician and a fine man. I’ve been fortunate to play with him many times. I even bought his traveling van for when The Stingers hit the road…Great ride…He even called last week to see if he could borrow it. I said yes, I think he flew instead….go figure….

Proud to call Curtis Salgado my friend. He’s done some outstanding things this year, winning the best Male Blues Performer Award, among others. I’m so glad that the Lord decided to leave Curtis with us. It was touch and go for a while…He’s an inspiration.

Make an account of the case of the blues in Portland. What are the differences from the other local scenes?

Each region of the country has it’s own unique, Blues scene. From New York to San Francisco. From Chicago to New Orleans….There are world-class Blues cats from all these places, as well as from places we’ve never even heard of.

I heard great bands from all over the world at the IBC, in Memphis, this year! Israel, different parts of Europe, Australia, Canada. The Blues is alive and well all around the world!

I really can’t say how the Portland Blues scene differs from other Blues scenes. I haven’t lived in the others. All I know is that I love the Portland Blues scene, and the people in it! They’re giving, they’re kind, and they’ll go out of their way to help one another (most of them anyway). And I’m not just talking about the musicians. The fans, and Blues society members, are very supportive. The Blues, and its people, are alive and well in Portland, OR.

Photo by Jim Dorothy

What do you miss most nowadays from the Blues of past? Do you believe in the existence of real blues nowadays?

Though many of the blues greats are passing on to their rewards, I believe that the next generation of Blues artists will continue the traditions of the “Old Blues.” Sure, it will continue to change and evolve as more and more of the younger Blues cats come to the fore. But the influences of all the blues pioneers will never disappear.

Yes, the masters and the mentors will pass on. But the torch has been, and will continue to be passed to the coming generations of Blues men. It may not be the Blues that Muddy and Little Walter pioneered when they brought it into the amplified age, but it will continue to be the music inspired by those innovators.

As long as the Blues remains the “music of the soul”, I believe that it has a healthy future. All other forms of music will continue to change, and maybe even die off. BUT THE BLUES WILL NEVER DIE!

What are the lines that connect the legacy from Sonny Boy to Butterfield and from Kim Wilson to new generation? Do you know why the harmonica is connected to the blues?

If the new breed of harp players want to become masters of their craft, they’ll study and learn how the music of Sonny Boy influenced Butterfield and listen to see how Kim Wilson took those lessons and made them his own, to be passed on to the next generation.

I’ve heard harmonica played in all styles of music, from Bluegrass, to a full symphonic orchestra, from “spaghetti westerns” to rock and roll. But nowhere is it more at home than when you hear Little Walter, or Paul Butterfield, or Cotton, or Junior Wells get into the blues groove with Muddy, or Buddy, or any of the blues master guitar players of today. The harmonica is right at home with the blues….And the people said,…“AMEN!”

What are your main tools right now in your harp case?

My go to harp has always been the Hohner Special 20. The plastic comb is easy on the lips and it doesn’t pull out my mustache hair like the Marine Band…hahaha!

Always searchin’ for that “perfect” amp sound. I’ve got a bunch of amps I need to sell. Anyone interested?

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

I would love to spend a day with Jesus Christ…..If that can’t happen, I’ll give Little Walter a try.

What from your memorabilia and things (records, books, photos, etc.) you would put in a "capsule on time"?

The Franco Paletta “Time Capsule” would contain: a Bible, a harmonica, copies of my cd’s and cd‘s of the various harp players who inspired me to play the Blues, pictures of Mom and Dad, me and my three brothers (John, Michael, and Sal), each of my three wives (a great big one of Jeri), my children (Breanna, Frankie, and Angie) and grandchildren, and every musician I ever had the honor of playing with; my M16, a pistol, the American flag…Those things would pretty much cover the life of this Blues Man.

Franco Paletta & The Stingers - Home