Fort Spokane Hosts Blues Great Bramhall

Doyle Bramhall, who plays the Fort Spokane Brewery July 18, almost single-handedly shaped what we know today as Texas blues rock.

It’s the mold that greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan and dozens of copycats have used over the years to churn out hit songs. Who the heck is Doyle Bramhall, you ask?

He’s more than just the father of Arc Angels vocalist Doyle Bramhall Jr.

He’s also quite an accomplished blues musician and songwriter in his own right.

For years, Bramhall collaborated with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, penning songs with him.

Bramhall’s work can be heard on Vaughan’s records, including “Texas Flood,” “In Step,” “Family Style,” “Soul to Soul” and “The Sky Is Crying.” Songs like “Tightrope,” “Change It” “House is Rockin”’ and “Telephone Song” were all touched by Bramhall.

The artist’s vocal style is virtually the same as Stevie Ray’s. But what few people realize is that Vaughan acquired the signature style from Bramhall. It’s true.

So why isn’t he better known?

Despite his accomplishments and years spent behind the scenes, Bramhall has only cut one album - “Bird Nest on the Ground.” But it’s a gem.

“Bird Nest on the Ground,” released on an independent label called Antone’s in 1994, extracts the best songs recorded during several studio sessions over a 13-year period. Even better, both Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan guest on the album.

The show starts at 9 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Fort Spokane for $10 and are advised; the show is likely to sell out. Tickets are $9 for Spokane Blues Society members.

, DataTimes