Jim Suhler (USA) 
 

Jim Suhler made a name for himself in the State of Texas as one of a number of fine young Texas guitar slingers coming out of the Dallas area. In 1999 Suhler stepped into the world spotlight as guitarist for George Thorogood's in his band of superstars collectively known as The Destroyers. Since joining The Destroyers Jim has recorded, toured the world and written songs for the band. Such is his reputation, he has frequently been included in many of the "Top Ten Guitarists" lists featured in numerous music publications.

Suhler's most recent project is a recently recorded collaborative CD with Vince Converse and Buddy Whittington titled "TEXAS SCRATCH" which was released in early 2011. Vince is a dynamic guitarist/vocalist from Houston, Texas. Whittington played for 12 years with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Mayall recently paid Whittington the ultimate compliment by stating that he is the best guitarist to have played in the Bluesbreakers.

When not touring the world with Thorogood, Suhler gets out on the road with his highly regarded Texan band Monkey Beat and with he adopting the same take-no-prisoners attitude that has prevailed in his playing with George Thorogood and the Destroyers, they have been terrorizing clubs, theatres and festivals alike with their flamethrower brand of blues/rock with a major side order of the Texas border mythology added to keep it spicy.

Along with Suhler on guitar and lead vocals, the band of top musicians includes bassist Calrton Powell, keyboardist Shawn Phares and drummer Jimmy Morgan.

Jim Suhler, born in Dallas, Texas, December 30, 1960, grew up in east Dallas, first exposure to music was by Beatles, Rolling Stones, and British Invasion bands on Dallas AM top 40 radio station KLIF in the 1960's. He began playing guitar at age 14, influenced at that time by The Allman Brothers Band, ZZ Top, Johnny Winter and Led Zeppelin. Later on Rory Gallagher, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Ramones would become influential but during the early formative years Jim was exposed to Texas guitar talent like Bugs Henderson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Anson Funderburg, Jimmie Vaughan & Rocky Hill. In 1985 he joined hard rock band Overlord, playing Dallas' punk/underground venues such as Twilite Room, Theater Gallery and Nairobi Room. From 1986-88 he co-fronted the Road Hogs with harmonica player/vocalist Memo Gonzalez. In the Road Hogs Jim was playing a much more traditional form of blues than he is now known for, more in the style of T-Bone Walker, Magic Sam & B.B. King.

Following the demise of the Road Hogs, Suhler's next band was The Homewreckers which featured vocalist Amy Robbins. That line-up played together from 1989-1991 during which time Suhler took on a role of DJ at Dallas' KNON radio station, hosting a three hour weekly blues show called 'Radio Mojo'.

During a Homewrecker road trip to perform at Huey's in Memphis, George Thorogood dropped by the club during a break from a recording session at Ardent Studios. He was impressed with Suhler's playing and the two struck up a friendship. After the Homewreckers imploded in mid 1991, Suhler formed power trio Monkey Beat, with drummer Paul Hollis and bassist/vocalist Carlton Powell. At that same time, Suhler sent a four song demo to Thorogood producer/engineer Terry Manning, after Thorogood told Suhler, 'Terry would love you guys'. Terry did indeed love Monkey Beat, agreeing to engineer and release a CD on his fledgling label, Lucky Seven Records. 'Radio Mojo', the name of Suhler's Dallas radio show, was released in February 1993. Several tours opening for Thorogood & the Destroyers across North America in 1993-95 followed.

In early 1994, Suhler & fellow Dallas blues guitarist Mike Morgan convened to record 'Let The Dogs Run', a collection of originals by blues greats Magic Sam, Lazy Lester, Howlin' Wolf, for Black Top records. They were joined on the CD by former Fabulous Thunderbirds rhythm section, drummer Mike Buck & bassist extraordinaire Keith Ferguson.

After the recording of the Morgan/Suhler CD, Monkey Beat went to the legendary Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas to record once again with Manning. 'Shake' soon followed, Suhler's darkest, most hard rock record to date with yrics fueled by a divorce that Suhler was going through at the time.

For the next few years, Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat toured throughout the United States and Europe, playing clubs, theatres and festivals for a burgeoning fan base. Suhler next recorded with Houston guitarist Alan Haynes, releasing 'Live at Blue Cat Blues' in 2000 on Topcat records. That release made Top 100 Live Blues CD's of All Time list in 2005.

'Bad JuJu', produced by noted producer Jim Gaines, (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana) easily the most fully realized Monkey Beat CD to date, was released on Lucky Seven records in 2001. Texas rock 'n roll, zydeco, Tex-Mex, hip hop & blues influences were evident on 'Bad JuJu'.

The acoustic driven 'Dirt Road' was released on Topcat in 2002, coming on the heels of the tragic death of Suhler's daughter Brittany in a tragic accident. Suhler started the Brittany Suhler Memorial Foundation in her honour, a charity which continues to this day.

A new CD, 'Tijuana Bible', was released in 2007, recorded in Nashville with Tom Hambridge producing, and including guest artists Elvin Bishop, Jimmy Hall & Joe Bonamassa.

In 2002, Suhler fulfilled a lifelong dream by playing shows with AC/DC during their Stiff Upper Lip tour, in Finland and Germany. He has also played publicly onstage with Les Paul, James Cotton, Duke Robillard, Peter Wolf, Willie Nelson, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Pinetop Perkins, Lazy Lester, Steve Miller, Elvin Bishop, Son Seals, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Rivers, Joe Bonamassa and many others.

Also in 2002, Suhler and Lauri Miles were married by Rev. Willy G, aka ZZ Top guitarist Billy F Gibbons in a ceremony in Houston, Texas. Gibbons became ordained to wed the two and has subsequently married several other couples since.

In 2007, Suhler had his divorce decree from aforementioned wedding 'blessed' by Texas humorist/writer/musician/politician Kinky Friedman.

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Movinmusic is taking offers for UK & Euro gigs for Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat. Interested venue owners & promoters can contact us about his availability via e-mail or 0044 (0)1209 860067.

 

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