Jerry Waddel Hommage 

In this February 16th, 2004, Jerry Waddel has left us at the age of 58 and nobody can erase the sadness which embraces our hearts. We can't forget the man and the artist that he was. He had given me his friendship and his confidence by coming to play on one of my albums. And I will never forget it. He was an artist which loved its profession, a player of blues as we dream to play with. It was a voice, a soul. God was in him heart. Jerry, we have lost more than a friend, a father. We are all orphans. Alain Messier and Muriel, Pierre Cudny and Brigitte, all the French musicians with whom you played as well as all my family, Philippe, Nico and Nana, Uncle Jo and Paulette join me to present all our condolences to your family, Valéry and your children. Magali Fortin, your little sweetie girl, your french lady as you so much liked calling me. Jerry, you already miss us.

Jerry Waddel - Born in 1946 in Altus, Arkansas, Jerry began his musical journey at the age of 9 when he received a Stella guitar for Christmas, teaching himself to play it.Jerry says it's a gift from God. Capturing licks from Chuck Berry, Albert King, BB King to the slow grinding rhythms of Jimmy Reed, and other great blues artists brings us up to now.Jerry Waddel delivering a smooth blend of downhome, foot-stompin' music mixed well with good charge of electrifying rhythm and blues, Jerry stands out as one of today's original performers. Drawing from his upbringing in the hills of Arkansas and early working years throughout Mississippi, California, and Texas, Jerry infuses a brand of reality and power in his music that is unmistakably rich, unique and his alone.  Sharing the stage with Tina Turner, the Diamonds, Blind Man Mississippi Morris, Jerry and his dynamic group deliver in a style that people from all over the world really enjoy.Jerry has the respect of his audience, other musicians and club operators that is rightfully his: it's called professionalism, devotion, power...and it's Jerry Waddel.

It is said that the soul of music is closely related to the soul of a man. Over the years both music and man have evolved into their own separate places, but at the same time they have grown so close that it can be said, seen, and felt....music is man, man is music... With ever artist, there is a favorite instrument, an instrument that is looked upon as part of the family. In the case of Jerry Waddel, blues music comes from his soul, his family, and his beliefs. But in Jerry's music there are two souls, his and that of his cherished Ol' Blue. Ol' Blue has been a part of Jerry for many years. Through both the good and the bad times, the souls of Jerry and Ol' Blue have been connected. They have redefined the boundaries of blues music, connect by a higher power. With the music that has been played and the miles of road traveled, Jerry and Ol' Blue have come together into one. As you look at Ol' Blue look closely, for you will see Ol' Blue's soul.....the face of a family member, the face of Jerry Waddel.

             

Jerry says me "Magali, my american dream's was to come sing in France, and now my dream come true. I'm today an happy man to have my feet on the french ground".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I say never enough thank you to Jerry to have coming in the south and sing our duo with me "live" with my guitar. Thank you also to have dedicated to me a song of him new album "Wall of blues" intituled "She's Rockin' My Blues".