Blues Traveler, a band renowned for having one of the most talented harmonica players in music, will be at Remington’s Hunt Club Saturday.
The band boasts the record for the longest-charting single in the history of the Billboard charts. They just released their seventh studio album, Truth Be Told, and will bring their blues and rock influenced sound to Starkville as they begin winding down their tour.
Bassist Tad Kinchla, who joined the group shortly after the death of former bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999, said the band enjoys playing places like Starkville.
“We’re hitting some off-the-mark venues because we’re not doing a full-length tour. It’s cool for us because we get to play places that we don’t normally get to play,” Kinchla said.
Hunt Club owner Bill Norris said he had been trying to get John Popper, lead singer and harmonica player, to Starkville for over two years.
“I like his style of music because it’s a crossover between a lot of different styles. He’s so talented and his instrumental abilities are incredible,” Norris said. “It’s great party music even if you’re not familiar with all of it.”
Kinchla, who lists The Beatles, John Coltraine and Janis Joplin among his influences, said the grassroots ideal maintained by the band is one they came by naturally.
“As far as individuals, the band is really well grounded. We’ve all grown up together and we’re like a family when we’re on tour,” Kinchla said.
Kinchla said he remembers watching his brother, a founding member of the band, leave from high school and go straight to New York to start a music career.
They worked hard to succeed and created a scene that snowballed into something huge, Kinchla said.
“The fact that it worked out didn’t change anyone. There’s a vibe that the band’s trying to play and reach out to people who want to listen,” Kinchla said. “The strength of the band is playing live.”
MSU student Kyle Sisk is a longtime fan.
“I’ve liked Blues Traveler for a long time. I’ve never gotten to go to a show, so I’m excited to get a chance to see them. And it’s cool that such a big name is playing in Starkville,” Sisk said.
Tickets for the show are $20 in advance and $25 on Saturday. Norris said he expects all 2,000 tickets to sell out shortly after Mississippi State’s Football game on Saturday, if not before.
As for future plans, Kinchla said the band plans to take a break for the holidays before doing a long spring tour, followed by a summer tour and possibly a new album next winter.
“Those are the plans at least for the foreseeable future,” Kinchla said.
The current Blues Traveler tour is scheduled to end in Dallas Oct. 18.