Tucker: I was in a couple of high school bands that went nowhere. In college I played Christian Hard Rock; first with a fivepiece called ESYX, next with a luckier, edgier band called SECRET SERVICE, and we toured quite a bit. Thirdly, THE PASSION
was more Blues Rock and we gigged fairly strong. We had DEAN ADAMS on bass, VIRGIL FRANKLIN on guitars, keys, and
vocals, JOHN HENDERSON singing lead, MONTY GOODMAN, and later, KEN FURR on drums. We were a great band. Finally,
MOREOVER’S NEW TRICK was a band I started with my friend's, Pat Deisher's, daughter. She was 12 but could really sing
Rock. We toured around the US and made a CD that charted and had a video that made some satellite television programs.
ION: Do you remember your first professional gig?
Tucker: My first professional gig was playing for OUTLAW BLUES BAND with BILL BOWERSOCK. He put me on bass, which was
fine because I got $60 a show. It was fun and I learned a lot. I was in my early 20’s when I played for Bill.
ION: I know you played with LARRY NORMAN, who was a big draw in the Christian music world, playing some huge shows.
What was that experience like for you?
Tucker: Playing for Larry Norman was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I met him through a mutual friend named LISA
WEYERHAUESER, who is a great musician and songwriter as well. Larry heard me play as I was opening for him. He offered me
the chance to play for him and I quickly said “Yes”. He was a wonderful, fatherly man whose wisdom, music and ministry were
priceless. In the years I played for him, he was always kind and encouraging, always teaching, and just being a great and loving
friend. He loved my family, especially my son, Russell, and dotted on him as often as he could--just a great man. Larry's music
was Blues at its heart and he knew Blues. It was an education every time we hit stage.
ION: What artists were most inspiring to you in your search for musical direction? I’m curious because your music is a great
blend of Blues and Americana that can’t be tied to one particular name.
Tucker: My initial inspirations for blues were ERIC CLAPTON, HOUND DOG TAYLOR, THE BEATLES, LIGHTNIN’ HOPKINS,
FREDDIE KING, and my two mentors, TRACY GARCIA and JIM SEPRODI, who I mention in my song “Guitar Man.”. BOB DYLAN,
TOM WAITS and JOHNNY CASH are a few more. As far as the stylistic variations on my projects, I don't think the differences
are so drastic. In some ways it has been difficult, because Blues purists shy away from the variety that I sometimes allow in
my song catalog. But if I have a good song and it works with the other songs, I
use it. I would rather make an interesting CD and take my chances than make
a CD that has been done in redundanc y just to make sure that each song fits
a 12-bar format. I like stories and the human condition--that's why I write the
way I do.
ION: Give me a few thoughts on each of the entries in your discography--what
stands out on each one in hindsight?
Tucker: On “Looking For A Brighter Day”, I recorded it with TIM BUSHING at
his studio in Syracuse, IN. He played most of the drums, bass, trombone, and
other stuff, as well as producing it. It did quite well, but the label folded, so I
had met DYLAN DEANNA and he invited me to be on BENEVOLENT BLUES. I
knew Dylan was a great guy and instantly said “Yes”.
My project with Dylan, “Juke Joint Serenade,” is a great project that Benevolent Blues put out. We had good charting and
some reviews. Back to “Looking for A Brighter Day,” it was the “Blues Breaker Artist Of The Week” on HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO
HOUR with DAN AYKROYD in August of 2007, so that was a big boost.
“Looking for A Brighter Day” was my “coming out on my own” CD where all the songs were mine by authorship or choice. It
was my breaking away. “Juke Joint Serenade” was baptism of an artist with a critically acclaimed freshman project coming
out with a sophomore project. I wanted it to be more personal and musically diverse. It was well received, but just not like we
had hoped.