"Once you made the choice to make it your life passion, you must keep that flame alive and share your love and knowledge."

The Bluesdog: Blues from the University of Life

LeRoy "Bluesdog" Falconi was born in New London, CT, and raised in Quaker Hill, CT. His introduction to music came very easy watching and listening to his father, "Ramblin Roy Friend" a country legend of the "Cousin Johnny Country Show”, radio and traveling show.
LeRoy got started at an early age singing for friends and family. His songs included old hits from Hank Williams, Conway Twitty and Charlie McCoy.

Eventually he saw his father pick up an instrument called the "sweet potato" as well as the harmonica. LeRoy soon after picked up the harmonica and years later were fine tuning his music and style.
LeRoy is a blues harmonica player with a multi faceted contemporary twist. He has an authentic, pure mixture of the old traditional blues and the wave of a rockish blues blend. LeRoy's love of life, music, experiences and traditions has created his style. Some have even called him the Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica, the James Cotton of today's blues and the new Charlie McCoy of country music. LeRoy "Bluesdog" Falconi has had the pleasure and the opportunity to play with some of the area's finest musicians and bands, but he has also been blessed to play with such greats as Lucky Peterson, Devon Allman & Honeytribe, Andy Aledort, Shirley King (BB King's "Daughter of the Blues"). Others include Ana Popovic, James Montgomery, Bubba Mac "Apple Jack" Williams, Pat Pepin, legend Arthur Williams aka Mr. Mississippi, Taj Mahal, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tommy Castro, Texas Son, Deborah Coleman, Mitch Woods, Billy Gibson, Buckwheat Zyadeco, the Tower of Power Horns and a host of others. LeRoy is also the host of the "Bluesedge" radio talk show on WCNI Radio based out of New London, Connecticut. You will find that he is an exceptional musician with a special gift and a unique flair!

Interview by Michael Limnios

"Bluesdog" when was your first desire to become involved in the blues & who were your first idols?
My first enrollment with the blues was listening to Led Zeppelin…not knowing they were playing old blues tunes done their way/style. My first idiols were Robert Plant, Charlie McCoy, John Sebastian.

How do you describe Bluesdog’s sound and progress? What characterize your philosophy about the Blues?
BLUESDOG’S sound and progress are hard driven from a background of different hard times and listening to all genres of music. I tried to understand what the music was about, and until things in my life’s path were ever changing, did I realize the blues path was best for me.

Cool nickname. How did you come up with it?
As for my name – it was given to me by a few older gentleman at a blues club in New Haven Ct, after a blues jam. They called me over and were discuss sing the different things I was doing on stage, and was hot doggin the blues as they put it and then one man slapped the other and said… thats its... you are THE BLUESDOG from now on…it was a very  cool scene.

Which was the best moment of your career and which was the worst?
The best moment…hasn’t happened yet… hey all seem to blend into each as a next step. But 1 thing kinda stands out is when I became Shirley King’s - daughter of the blues – BB King's daughter - east coast harmonica player for over 3 yrs. Memorable gigs, were the Blues cruise in 05, and playing with so many folks in just a week’s time, and doing  festival’s The worst was playing with some folks and I didn’t have the right key harmonica and they band gave me shit after the show. And from then on I always have all 12 keys w/ me.  Even though a song could be in A, the band might do it in F sharp to fit the singers’ voice or guitar players’ style/tone.

How/where do you get inspiration for your songs & who were your mentors in songwriting?
Inspiration comes from life’s experiences and knowing the struggles and Consequence for your actions to follow your own personal dreams.

What does the BLUES mean to you & what does Blues offered you?
Blues means to me… the journey of the life and understanding your path you have chosen for yourself. Blues offers me and outlet, that otherwise I might not have been here to experience it.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues music?
I’ve learned that life is a journey that you have only some control over. But different happenings in your life keep making you a better person to yourself and others.

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD musician?
Things that have made me a good musician, is that once you turn the corner , you now are making folks feelgood & yourself, if just for the length of the show…Each one forgets of the problems and lets the soul enjoy the music.

Do you remember anything funny or interesting from all those great musicians?
I remember a lot, almost too many to mention – for it is ever changing. But what I do miss the most is the loss of the musicians you’ve once crossed paths with and made a difference in your music.

What are some of the most memorable gigs and jams you've had?
Again the blues cruise 05… so many musicians , fans etc… an good time on the open sea where everyone is there for the same reason…the music...and where others let their guard down to be part of the whole experience.

Are there any memories from Lucky Peterson, and Taj Mahal, which you’d like to share with us?
I’ve been very blessed to play w/ both Luckey & Taj, they share and have a love of the music that seeps into you when you have finished your set. Almost indescribable.

Which of historical blues personalities would you like to meet?
Historical folks to meet… well id have to say Robert Plant-Mississippi John Hurt-Deford Baily – and the list goes on.

You have played with many great bluesmen. It must be hard, but which gigs have been the biggest experiences for you? And why?
Some of the biggest experiences have taken place after the shows where you in the hotel rooms or traveling…to many to put a finger on just one or two.. for each one has its special moment... but meeting and Little Milton and sharing time with him was beyond anything I could have ever hoped for. And I can’t leave out my time with Bo Diddley

What is the best advice a bluesman ever gave you?
Once you made the choice to make it your life passion, you must keep that flame alive and share your love and knowledge.

From whom have you have learned the most secrets about blues music?
Being on the road and meeting folks from all over the country and sharing the music. As a harmonica for hire its all the music not just a person. For I play w/ all types of genres of music to be a better player. So you take some form this one and some from that one.

Some music styles can be fads but the blues is always with us. Why do think that is? Give one wish for the BLUES
I think the blues stays with us, for it’s the one music most everyone can relate to...especially after you have experienced many of life’s trials and see and grow from your journey.

What do you think of country and Southern Rock music & how close are to the BLUES?
Country and southern rock is all derived from the blues as most music. The core is the same, but the individual interpretation is what makes it different.

You have pretty interesting project the BLUESDOG's Journey of the Blues. Where did you get that idea?
I started me art collage – THE BLUESDOG’S JOURNEY OF THE BLUES – to take different blues musicians and put them all together w/ other genres of music as to show the blend of the music. The art piece is getting world known. It has now been in 2 museums a heading for its 3rd. It was in the DELTA BLUES MUSEUM – MEMPHIS ROCK & SOUL MUSEUM & now on its way to the MIM, musical instruments museum.  It is registered w/ the library of congress as blues art memorabilia. And is a 1 of a kind art piece. There are secrets built into the art so it could never be duplicated.

What would you had given to Paul Butterfield? What would you ask Charlie Musselwhite?
Wow Paul and Charlie... so Paul I would have watched his growth , and had to give him the love of knowing I was listen to his message. Charlie… I would ask him about his choice of harmonicas and why.

Tell me a few things about your experience in radio talk show "Bluesedge" on WCNI Radio
The radio experience gave me a tool to pursue my dream and meet a few extra folks I may have not otherwise. And to learn and listen to what was out there and how could I take all that and be different.

The Bluesdog - Official website