Bob Thames

I grew up surfing in the Daytona area. In the evenings, I listened to the abundance of musical talent that has been produced by this little beach community. My older brother Bill, played drums with a soul band at the legendary Martinique. It was there, that I watched Duane Allman jam on "Hey Joe" for an hour and a half with my brother's band...til the police were called in and they shut off the power. He just wouldn't quit playing.
I began playing piano so I could compose music. I was drafted into bands, and have had the honor of sharing the stage with such notable performers as Delbert McClinton, Edgar Winter, the Drifters, Spyro Gyra, Savoy Brown, Larry Gatlin, the Georgia Satellites, Pat Travers, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Tommy Talton (of Cowboy), Bryan Bassett (of Foghat), Artemus Pyle (of Lynard Skynard), Lester Chambers (of the Chambers Brothers) and a host of extremely talented regional musicians. I've also had the opportunity to write music for independent films, television, and three musicals for the theater.
In the mid 80's, I got a call from Bob Greenlee asking me to come back to Florida and help him write material for the new studio he was building. With the help of many great musicians, Kingsnake Records was born and soon grew into the premier Southern Blues label. Among the many talented artists who recorded at Kingsnake were; Gregg Allman, James Taylor, Edgar Winter, Noble "Thin Man" Watts, Dru Lombar, Pete Carr, Lucky Peterson, Kenny Neal, Dicky Betts, Rufus Thomas, Bryan Bassett, Root Boy Slim, Ernie Lancaster, Sonny Rhodes, Ace Morland, Roy Roberts, Floyd Miles and Alex Taylor. I had the privilege of playing sessions and writing material for many of these gifted artists.
PHOTOS BY BILL THAMES & WALKER FISHER
- - - - - - - - - - - - THE BANDS - - From the Past - - - - - - - - - - -