"The SOUL and organic quality of REAL music, made by humans; truly talented people playing real instruments and singing from the heart; no tricks, no bullshit, just absolutely honest and pure music... coming straight from the soul."

Doug Duffey and BADD: Play The Blues

Multi award-winning Doug Duffey and BADD are a North Louisiana-based quartet specializing in 100% original ‘Bayou Funk’, ‘Swampadelic’, Bluesiana and Delta Soul music. Influenced by old school 70’s funk and soul classics, as well as their native regional New Orleans funk, Memphis Soul, Louisiana R&B, and Louisiana Delta blues, they’ve recycled, refried, refunked, redefined and repackaged it all into their own personal post-modern slammin’ jams. Now Duffey has dug deep into his traditions for the riches of his latest album, Ain’t Goin’ Back (2024), a celebration of his music with his band, BADD (a title carved from the initials of band members’ first names). BADD includes Duffey on vocals and keyboards; Dan Sumner on guitars incl. electric and acoustic bass, percussion, vocals, and trumpet; Adam Ryland on drums and Ben Ford on bass. A few talented players complete this lineup: Dave P. Moore on harp, Jonathan Patterson on trombone and Bert Windham on trumpet. Duffey and Sumner co-produced.                                (Doug Duffey and BADD / Photo by Andrew L Bailey)

DOUG DUFFEY: Born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1950, Duffey began singing and playing piano at an early age; he was composing and performing professionally by age 14. His first single, recorded in Nashville in 1970, was chosen by Billboard, Cashbox and Record World as “Pick Hit” and broke into the top 100 charts. He has written songs for and/or recorded with George Clinton, Funkadelic, Rare Earth, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Keith Richards, Herbie Hancock, David Byrne, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Anders Osborne, Marcia Ball, and other artists. He has been called “one of the most prolific songwriters living in Louisiana” and has recorded many albums of original material to date. A poetic lyricist, his songs are intelligent, intellectual, sophisticated and soulful, whether solo or with full production; on record or performed live. DAN SUMNER: Louisiana-based guitarist and music producer. He is an internationally-acclaimed guitarist who performs and tours the world regularly with acts such as Doug Duffey and BADD, Louisiana Soul Revival featuring Doug Duffey, Steve Howell, Louis Romanos Quartet, LA Legacy Jazz Band, Glynn Styler, Janice Jaffee and many others. He owns and operates Fort Sumner Studio where he has recorded and/or produced dozens of critically-acclaimed albums.

Interview by Michael Limnios          Special Thanks: Betsie Brown (Blind Raccoon)

How has Louisiana's music and heritage influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

DOUG: I was born in Louisiana in 1950, and raised in the deep, fertile culture and music of the Mississippi River Delta of the time. My parents were fans of John Lee Hooker, Slim Harpo, Jimmy Reed's music, among others: my brother and sister, being teenagers, were into the rock and roll of the era: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis etc. I was raised in the Southern Baptist church, which has a long rich gospel music tradition. [I am now Greek Orthodox] 

My world view has been formed by my early love of literature, poetry, classical music, history and art, and having spent much of my earlier life living in international cities, such as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Nashville; since the late 80s I have toured and lived in various countries and cities in Europe, and have therefore been exposed to those many cultures. My southern musical heritage has always stayed with me, and I've stayed true to my Delta roots [from Memphis to New Orleans] blues, soul, gospel, 'old school' rock and roll and southern funk;..

DAN: I moved to Louisiana in my early 20's and, except for the time we were displaced due to Hurricane Katrina, have lived here since. I arrived in New Orleans with a Master's degree in Jazz (New England Conservatory) and soon realized that my education was just about to truly begin. The deep and rich musical history and practice of New Orleans (and Louisiana music in general,) has rooted itself deeply in my musical practice and journey. Music has taken me all over the world and I make certain to search out the local music and culture wherever I travel, and allow those experiences to help shape my guitar playing and composition.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

DOUG: Our band continues to improve together in our ability to think and play together as one. We are sinking deeper into the Blues and taking the music where it tells us to go. Our working schedule. Our individual commitments to, and love affairs with our individual instruments. Our love of playing live to our audiences, and delivering new music to them throughout our album releases.

"BADD band members remain the same. We added extra instrumentation to further flesh out the songs. The interesting part of the album ‘concept’ is that Dan wrote all the music on guitar; I wrote the lyrics afterward; then we collaborated, honing the parts into ‘song form’, working the material into what it is today." (Doug Duffey and BADD / Photo by Doug Duffey)

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

DAN: Hurricane Katrina was a bitch and really set my family back. And yes, it did make me a better musician and person. Leaving New Orleans was, and continues to be, very difficult. We moved to a region of the state that has a different culture. However, that resulted in meeting the wonderful musicians who live and work here, and playing with them. This is where I met Doug.

Currently you’ve one more release with Doug Duffey and BADD. How did the idea of band come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album “Ain’t Goin’ Back”?

DOUG: BADD band members remain the same. We added extra instrumentation to further flesh out the songs. The interesting part of the album ‘concept’ is that Dan wrote all the music on guitar; I wrote the lyrics afterward; then we collaborated, honing the parts into ‘song form’, working the material into what it is today.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

DAN: I met Doug in 2015 and immediately began working together. Both, we had long established themselves as professional recording musicians and performers. We output of now five released albums shows the fruit of that meeting.

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your music/songs?

DOUG: Musical facility, or technique, allows the musician to express the soul within the song/composition etc… It’s not really a balance. It’s more like a codependency. The driving force is the music itself.  

"The many talented and gifted artists I have performed and recorded with throughout my lifetime. Music is communication; it is sonic and spiritual intercourse, with each being a unique experience. Best advice: "never give up your songwriter or publishing rights". (Doug Duffey and BADD / Photo by Andrew L Bailey)

How do you describe your songbook and sound? Where does your creative drive come from?

DOUG: I have been writing original music since I was a pre-teen. Studying classical music, I began improvisation and experimental music [which I still create] - improvising on piano and recording everything to a reel-to-reel tape machine back in the day. I began writing actual 'songs' as a teenager, when working in a small local band, since so many artists of the 60s wrote original music. Most of the pop music of the 60s [British invasion] was just recycled American blues and rock and roll. I have always felt that my creative drive is a gift from the Divine creator. I feel myself to be like a "radio"; receiving transmissions which are channeled through me. Songwriting -music and lyrics- comes easily to me; it is like 'automatic writing'; music comes to me and through me. I do not labor to write music/songs; it/they either come or they don't.

My music is organic and comes from whatever mood I am feeling at the moment; normally my lyrics are primarily autobiographical and/or journalistic; created from my own personal experiences; my own life, or things I have heard about or seen. But 90% autobiographical. My songbook covers a wide spectrum of musical styles from Blues to Soul, Funk, Rock and Roll all the way to Ambient and experimental music. I have been writing songs for 45+ years. I very rarely work with other writers, but currently write songs with my bandmate/coproducer Dan Sumner.

DAN: I am more of a co-writer/arranger/producer than a songwriter. So, my "songbook" is more of a collection of collaborations with primary songwriters than an individual body of songs. When I do write, the songs tend to either appear in my mind (often in dreams) mostly completed and then I (or we) work them out in the studio. My creative drive arrives when I am mentally silent and allow the music to come in, like a wave. This applies to both composing and improvising. The arranging/production process is different. I listen to the song and imagine how I want to hear it, and then do my best to bring that into reality.                     (Doug Duffey / Photo by Andrew L Bailey)

"Our band continues to improve together in our ability to think and play together as one. We are sinking deeper into the Blues and taking the music where it tells us to go. Our working schedule. Our individual commitments to, and love affairs with our individual instruments. Our love of playing live to our audiences, and delivering new music to them throughout our album releases."

Which acquaintances have been the most important experiences? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

DOUG: The many talented and gifted artists I have performed and recorded with throughout my lifetime. Music is communication; it is sonic and spiritual intercourse, with each being a unique experience. Best advice: "never give up your songwriter or publishing rights".

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

DOUG: I live in the moment, and don't really dwell on the past. Having done thousands of gigs, and recording sessions, there have been too many to recall. Again, each and every one is different. I 'share' 100% of myself in my performances.  

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

DOUG: The SOUL and organic quality of REAL music, made by humans; truly talented people playing real instruments and singing from the heart; no tricks, no bullshit, just absolutely honest and pure music... coming straight from the soul. 

DAN: I'd like to see the audio quality of recordings improve. It's true that there is significant loss in today's compression formats (i.e. mp3) and I believe that this affects the way we hear music and feel more than we may realize.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

DAN: That musicians would be fairly compensated for our recorded work. Streaming is really hurting us.

"Louisiana music has had, and continues to have a tremendous impact worldwide. It is the home of Jazz, which is the parent music to much, if not all, of American music." (BADD BADD includes Duffey on vocals and keyboards; Dan Sumner on guitars incl. electric and acoustic bass, percussion, vocals, and trumpet; Adam Ryland on drums and Ben Ford on bass / Photo by Andrew L Bailey)

What would you say characterizes New Orleans music in comparison to other local US scenes?

DOUG: The rhythms: from marching bands, to voodoo chants and rhythms, to Caribbean music which influenced a lot of early New Orleans music; the rhumba beat is STILL found in many New Orleans songs. New Orleans has been, or was, the most multicultural city in America for many decades; so, there is a big mix of cultural influences.

DAN: For me, it's all in the rhythm and the musical feel. I can always tell who has, and who hasn't spent time there when listening to other musicians play.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your paths in music circuits?

DOUG: Don't lie, don't cheat; always be honest. Always give 100%...

DAN: Always perform to the best of your ability, regardless how many people came out to hear you that night.

What is the impact of Louisiana's music and culture to the and socio-cultural implications? 

DAN: Louisiana music has had, and continues to have a tremendous impact worldwide. It is the home of Jazz, which is the parent music to much, if not all, of American music.

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

DAN: I'd go back and play with Billie Holliday and the Duke Ellington orchestra, amongst others...

Doug Duffey and BADD - Home

(Doug Duffey / Photo by Andrew L Bailey)