Buddy Guy brings “Damn Right Farewell” tour to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

Buddy Guy brought his "Damn Right Farewell" tour to the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Buddy Guy (Photo Credit: Michael Bragg)

Spartanburg, SC (3/20/23) – “If you don’t like the blues then you’re in the wrong f**king place.” That’s how the 86yr music legend Buddy Guy welcomed everyone to tonight’s show after his opening song “Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues.” The crowd at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium responded with a round of applause and verbal praises of “hell yeah’s” and “amens” Guy wasted no time flowing right into more music.

The guitar virtuoso delivered a set of music spanning a career that started back in the 1950’s as well as paying homage to many of his blues influences and friends. “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Chicken Heads” showcased Buddy’s playing skills on covers of classic songs by Willie Dixon and Bobby Rush. His own original, “Skin Deep,”provided a shining moment for a softer and more intimate vocal presentation while delivering the songs strong message.

“I was taught to love everybody and I love all of you…ain’t nobody gonna change that so don’t even try” Guy stated. He also remarked that some people just don’t listen to the lyrics and that’s why “I Let My Guitar Do The Talking.”

A man with such a long history in music also has a lot of stories to tell. Guy spoke about growing up poor and being a self taught musician. He spoke of his early days doing session work with Muddy Water at Chess Records, performing in small bars to playing with Junior Wells. Guy also provided many comical moments telling jokes but also when playing his guitar with a drum stick and a towel or thrusting his hips after some suggestive lyrics.

One of the funniest moments being when he seemingly fumbled a solo and stopped his band mid song. “Wait a minute now…sometimes I mess up my own f**king song” he stated before mentioning “you know us blues players, we never play everything all right no ways” before he changed course and gave the crowd some Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton moments. “Yeah, I just wanted y’all to know I could do that too.”

As Guy’s set came to a close he spoke of the lack of blues music being acknowledged in todays music market. He spoke of passing the torch and keeping the genre alive as he introduced his son, Greg Guy, to the crowd and also his appreciation of artists like the nights opener, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram who returned to the stage for a little musical jam. This may be the “Damn Right Farewell” tour but as Guy left the stage it seems as if he still has a lot more to offer.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram performed as part of the Buddy Guy "Damn Right Farewell" tour at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (Photo Credit: Michael Bragg)

Many may have been unfamiliar with who “Kingfish” is as he began the show but by the end everyone new who he was. With multiple standing ovations and rounds of applause he won over the crowd with his smooth playing abilities. At the age of 24 Ingram has already done what many aspire to achieve. He has 2 albums under his belt, the 2017 self titled debut and the 2021 album titled “662.” He has topped the Billboard Charts, performed at the White House at the age of 15, headlined the St. Louis Blues Festival at age 18 and has received many accolades for his contributions to the blues genre. In his hometown of Clarksdale, MS, while in the seventh grade, he began performing at legendary local clubs building a following. Ingram may have a calm demeanor but his playing is astounding. Having kept his opening set more mellow he did take a moment to address the crowd for a breakaway moment during one song, “I apologize for all of those fast notes I just played.” No one seemed to mind a bit and cheered on the young talent for the next song. Ingrams ability to go from an upbeat rocking blues style to soft and subtle with precision of dynamics usage is of the likes of veterans of the genre. Kingfish truly seems to carry an old soul with the ability to make you feel his every note.

The “Damn Right Farewell” tour currently has dates listed through October 4th, 2023 that take Buddy Guy across the country and across seas as well.

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