Joe and Vicki Price are national treasures. I would argue that anyone playing an acoustic set in a local coffee shop, bar, or small town are. Conversations about the blues tend to center around those who have passed or who have national attention. While all of these people are important representatives of the blues, our beloved acoustic players are out working hard bringing joy and healing to the most unlikely places that deeply need it. They are out on the road playing venues that you’ve maybe never heard of but who celebrate the blues every bit as more well known ones. When I hear and see what artists like Vicki and Joe are doing out there, I choose to celebrate them, so, without further ado, here’s my interview with Vicki Price.
Recently and in most years I think, you’ve done acoustic sets at Legends in Chicago – it’s a bit of a haul from Decorah, Iowa. What keeps you coming back?
It is such an honor to be performing at Legends. In our career we had the opportunity to open shows for many of the great blues players who have now passed on. Buddy is the last man standing in the true greats of the Chicago blues scene. To work in his club is a dream come true for two people from Iowa. We would drive further for the opportunity.
What is your most fond memory from playing or visiting Legends?
There are so many cherished memories. The friends we have made at the club. People that are always in the audience to hear us. One that stands out was the night Buddy’s son Greg came up and played a couple of songs with us. He’s a good player and it was just plain fun to make music with him.
What is the blues music scene in Iowa like?
Iowa has a history of blues. During the diaspora of Black Americans coming north for work, many came to Iowa and found a home. Joe grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, which had a thriving Black community. People came to work at the meat plants and at John Deere’s. He saw Earl Hooker perform in a record store there when he
was a young teenager, his first experience with traditional slide guitar. After Earl’s show Joe asked him where he could get a slide like his. They weren’t available in music stores. Earl told Joe to cut off a bicycle handle bar. Joe went home and cut off the neighbor boy’s handle bar. That tradition of blues has continued. Iowa has a real love for the music with many blues organizations, venues and festivals. Buddy has performed at the Mississippi Blues Festival in Davenport. Iowans are doing their part to keep the music alive.
Do you have a favorite venue to play there or do we not play favorites?
Byron’s in Pomeroy, Iowa would be first on the list. Pomeroy is a very small town in western Iowa. Main Street has all but fallen down. Byron, a music lover of the first order, has created a thriving music venue where the likes of Walter Trout and Todd Snider have performed. Not bad for a venue in the middle of corn fields. Unfortunately, Byron’s building is following the rest of downtown and has been condemned. Folks from across Iowa and the nation are working hard to help him move his magic to another location. It’s inspiring to see people come together over their love of live music.
What was the first song the two of you played together or did you just jam?
I don’t remember the first song we played together but I remember the first night we met. It was July 31, 1982 (I had to ask Joe for help remembering the date). I was tending bar at the Gin Mill in my hometown, Waukon. Joe came in to make some music. He was on a break from the band he worked in, Mother Blues. He set up a chair, tied a drum with a foot pedal to the chair and pulled out a battered National steel guitar. It was my first experience hearing traditional slide. It was a beautiful sound. At the break my friends in the bar insisted Joe let me play. I got up and did a couple of songs. At the end of the night there was a party at my house. The entire bar full of people showed up. Joe and I stayed awake until 10:00 in the morning playing music together. That was the beginning.
How often, if at all, do you play with a full band?
We have not had other players with us for many years. It is difficult to make the money needed to keep a band together anymore. Also, the style of music we play is really designed for solo or duo. We love the Delta players, the Piedmont players. Our listening menu leans towards Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotton. For electric players we like Elmore James, Muddy, Slim Harpo and of course Buddy. All these players are capable of doing a solo show and wowing folks. We try to learn from them.
How is the van running? Have you hit 600,000 miles yet?
I’m sure we have more than that many miles altogether. We put 465,000 on our Sprinter van alone.
I could be mistaken about this, but I feel as though acoustic sets can be disregarded or overlooked for one reason or another. What are your feelings about acoustic sets and their impact on the shows that follow them?
I feel solo/duos are often kind of looked down on, as if we are just filling in until the real music gets started. Yet a good duo can set the stage for what is to come. They bring folks to the club that follow them, just like a band. They offer a different type of musical experience and can turn people on to some of the great music created by the players in the past that performed solo/duo shows.
Do either of you have special talents (silly or otherwise) outside of making incredible music?
I do folk art paintings. It is my way of relaxing. I will be having my second show in Decorah, IA this summer. Joe is a falconer. He retired from the sport when we moved from our home in the country to town. For many years we had birds of prey living with us.
It was a wonderful time.
Vicki, do you have a favorite button style or make?
I worked for the Lansing Button Company for 18 years. Like many musicians a second job was necessary. My favorite style of button are passementerie. These are cloth covered or thread covered buttons. They really set off a garment.
Do the two of you consider the music you play blues, a subgenre of blues, or something a little different?
We consider it blues-roots music. The music is based very much in the early blues styles, the roots of it all.
Did you have similar styles of play prior to meeting each other? How long did it take you to find your sound as a duo?
Joe was from day one rooted in blues. When everyone around him was listening to the Beatles he was collecting Muddy Waters and Elmore James. I grew up with country music but was fortunate to meet some people locally playing the Delta blues. I gravitated towards that over the years. Blending our styles was a process but after over 40 years together it just clicks.
Lightning Round!!!!
Who’s the bigger perfectionist? Musically it’s Joe. Everything must be right, especially our tone. He is always aware of our sound.
Air dry laundry or dryer? Dryer.
Who has the better style? Fashion-wise, it’s me.
Who’s the silly one? Both of us are goofy.
Who does most of the driving? Joe does all the driving. I grew up in a one stoplight town. Driving in Chicago is beyond my skills.
What does the other one do? I read the news to Joe while he drives. I also work on the business end with my laptop.
Favorite pastry? All of it!
Coffee, Tea, or water? Coffee.
If you could have a lazy afternoon painting with someone who would it be? Frida Kahlo.
Anything else you’d like to mention before we sign off? Gigs, Albums, etc? We will be in the Wow and Flutter Studio in Nashville to record this October. Can’t wait!
Find out more about Vicki and Joe Price here
Buy their music here
Buy Vicki’s art work here
Help Save Byron!
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