Posts by Steve Wildsmith
Surrender to win: Musician, producer Steve Drizos embraces the ‘Axiom’ of sobriety
Courtesy of Bill McAlaine For the bulk of his career, Steve Drizos has used his own musical talents to propel the careers of others, from his role as a drummer of both power and complexity, and his work as a producer at his Portland, Oregon, studio, The Panther. On Friday, however, he’ll release “Axiom,” the…
Read MoreJohn Henry vs. alcohol: St. Louis singer-songwriter lays his hammer down
Courtesy of Tim Gebauer John Henry, the St. Louis-based singer-songwriter who traffics in the sort of workingman’s Americana that’s fitting for an artist who bears his name, has enormous respect for those who battle an addiction to alcohol and drugs. As a guy who’s spent most of his adult life in a business where substances…
Read MoreA Christmas miracle: Banjo ace Ned Luberecki marks a major milestone
Seventeen years ago this week — on Wednesday night, in fact, the day before Christmas Eve — renowned banjo player and teacher Ned Luberecki stared at what was left of the booze in his house and knew it wouldn’t be enough. He had moved to the Nashville area not long before, he told The Ties…
Read MoreThe Happys: A band name and more for recovering indie rocker Nick Petty
Courtesy of Michael Artega Nick Petty was still on probation after having spent a year in jail in San Francisco, but he was doing well. Living in a sober house. Attending drug court classes and showing up for regular check-ins before the judge. Taking part in medication assisted treatment that kept his cravings for opioids…
Read MoreFree, Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke makes the most of his new life
By 1980, drummer Simon Kirke had topped the charts with not one, but two legendary rock ‘n’ roll bands: Free, whose seminal hit “All Right Now” has been a go-to feel-good hit since its release in 1970, and Bad Company, the greatest hits of which are burned into the brains of anyone who came of…
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