Mark Hummel
And the Blues Survivors
Feet to the Fire!!!
By T.E. Mattox

f the old maxim holds true that 'the blues are good for what ails you,' then let me introduce you to Dr. Feelgood and the current West Coast version of Critical Care. In this case the good doctors' given name is Mark Hummel and his specialty is in BaBH.* His well-travelled associates are all masters in their respected fields (blues harp), and are revered by both players and enthusiasts' the world over.

Now granted, Hummel would be the first to admit his friends aren't 'angels of mercy,' but their legendary reputations have preceded them. Individually, each has the capability of tearing out your heart and showing it to you; then with great ceremony, and surgical precision, they snatch you back with just a twist of a phrase or a sustained note. But when the Blues Harmonica Blowout Series brings them all together, they can, and will, drop you to your knees and there's not a 911 call on the planet that will save you!

I know what you're thinking. How does a guy go about producing shows with some of the most influential bluesmen of our time? I'm way ahead of you.

Mark Hummel and fan at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA

In the early 1990's, after more than a decade of playing in the celebrated Bay Area group known as the Blues Survivors, Mark got a shot to battle it out on stage with some of the world's most prominent harp slingers. That one-time opportunity would have an unexpected impact.

"It was really kind of a fluke. I was inspired to do these shows because there was a guy that did something called the 'Battle of the Harps' in the Bay Area. He did them every year and he had a lot of the big names, but he tended to have the same people over and over. And he only had me on once. So I said, 'Well if he's going to do that, I'll just start my own.' I was really just going to do one, but it was enough of a success; I had Rick Estrin (NightCats) as the headliner, we had about 150 people on a Sunday night and the club owner was totally stoked and said let's do it again next year. So we did and I added a couple of more dates and it just became this thing and I got bigger and bigger names and added more dates. Now it's an average of 10 dates for the California ones, and we've gone from really small venues to 500 to 800 seat venues."

Blues fans were elated over the ability to see their favorite players at the same time, on the same bill. So much so, they showed their appreciation by packing theaters, clubs and most festivals with Standing Room Only - Sold Out shows.

Charlie Musselwhite and his toolbox

And when Mark talks about 'big names,' he isn't kidding.

"There's a rotating cast of characters, or one. You know, the chance to see (Charlie) Musselwhite and (John) Mayall together, is pretty cool. And I've done lineups with Magic Dick (J. Geils) and Lee Oscar, with Jerry Portnoy. Or Charlie Musselwhite, myself and Kim Wilson. In 2007, I had Kim, Rod Piazza, Rick Estrin, and Billy Boy Arnold; some pretty wild lineups in terms of the people I've had."

Hummel just smiles when he talks about the organizational process and making it all come together. Everyone knows the blues aren't always sunshine and rainbows, but he admits, "It can be very difficult to put these on and come up with lineups that are going to both draw, AND be new faces."

When it's all said and done, you get the feeling it's the 'blues' and the masters that play them, that keep Mark's lamp trimmed and burning. And Hummel truly has some very interesting friends….think of him as the Kevin Bacon of Blues. He has toured and recorded with literally, everyone. I'll start the list, but you'll have to finish it….Johnny Dyer, Lowell Fulson, Brownie McGhee, Dave Myers, Sue Foley, James Harman, Curtis Salgado, Gary Primich, James Cotton, and Carey Bell. Then there's Duke Robbilard, Rusty Zinn, Norton Buffalo, Paul deLay, Sam Myers, Anson Funderburgh, Lazy Lester, William Clarke, Billy Branch and Huey Lewis.

Mesmerizing, Mayall alone in the Spotlight

At last count, Hummel has a combined 14 vinyl albums and CD's to his credit and between the Blues Survivors and Blues Harmonica Blowout Series, tours like his hairs on fire. He is a blues journeyman first and foremost. But when he sits down to talk about the music and those who play, you immediately get a feel for Mark's genuine admiration and respect that he maintains for the men and women who paved the way. That was never more apparent than when he spoke of his late friend, Charles Brown. The last piano track Brown ever recorded can be heard on Hummel's 'Lowdown to Uptown' CD.

"He recorded something after that, on vocal for Maria Muldaur before he died, but I think the last keyboard thing he did was on my record. It was funny because, he goes, 'if you could just give me a ride to the race track when I get done.' And I paid him… and he was wheeled into the race track in his wheelchair because he had really bad swelling from whatever it was, he had; gout, I think. He was a character; he spent all his money at the racetrack."

If you take into consideration how hard life in the blues and 'on the road' can be, it really isn't difficult to see why it takes such a toll on those who travel that highway. And remembering Snooky Pryor once saying the majority of harp players are mostly, 'flat out nuts,' I guess it's not that surprising.

Mark spent a lot of time playing with Snooky, knew him well, and laughed out loud as he nodded in agreement.

"They can be. They definitely have a sense of humor, I'll say that. A pretty warped sense of humor. I can think of quite a few nuts who have either gone, or are still here. Unfortunately, a lot of blues people don't always live the healthiest of lifestyles. Between drinking and the way they eat and stuff like that, it's real easy to beat yourself up pretty bad on the road."

Just a cursory glance at any picture of Little Walter and that gapping seam stitched across his forehead should be proof positive for even the most hardcore skeptic. But when it comes to the harp, and the mastery of skills it takes to play, Mark doesn't think there was any one better than…. "Little Walter. When it comes right down to it, its Little Walter because his playing was so fluid and swung so hard. He was so inventive and such a masterful musician."

And Mark Hummel should know, because he's spent most of his life as a student of the blues, honing his skills, and developing his own style directly across the stage from some of the most notable blues musicians that ever played. He continues to share his love of the genre with award-winning Instructional Videos on Amplified Blues Harp, also in an impressive collection of discography featuring both live and studio recordings, and of course, every time he steps in front of an audience.

So the next time you need an infusion of blues or your mojo requires a tune up… let me recommend a new elective procedure called a 'Harpoonoplasty!' It's a relatively simple out-patient treatment that Hummel and the Blues Survivors continue to perfect and are readily assisted by a select few of the most legendary and charismatic players touring today. But be forewarned, it's not a show for the faint of heart, but more of a clinical study in the Blues. Or better yet, group therapy with 700 of your newest friends. So brace up, get there early and take your medicine, because there's going to be a line….a very long line.

*Bad ass Blues Harp