When I listen to every kind of music on my satellite radio stations (a necessary luxury for musicians) the fly-catcher for me is drums and bass. Think “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder. Drums and bass. Or “Fame” by David Bowie. Drums and bass. Or “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Drums and bass.

Drums and bass is what kicks my butt, literally. It frames the picture. It’s the foundation of the house. It’s the special sauce. Rock or country. Soul or blues. If the drums and bass aren’t first and foremost, in your face, it’s not right for me.

The other stuff is added on to the drums and bass. Great vocals, yeah. I get it. Guitar riffs, cool. Horns? Awesome. But without that heartbeat drums and bass, it’s just other stuff. “You ain’t got a thing if you ain’t got that swing.” It was true in the 40s and it still is.

I have tried to play solo gigs, but without drums and bass, it’s so lonely and empty! I watched dozens of top tier solo players at the Tamworth Festival in Australia strumming on acoustic guitars and kicking a bass drum stomp pedal. It was so “almost there”. But not.

Jenny and I are now playing occasional duo gigs. Guitar and bass. It’s kind of cool because there is so much more emphasis on the vocals. But that rock solid drums and bass gut punch is just not there. It’s like light beer – kind of like beer, but not really.

I play duos because I love playing and singing with my daughter. And I admit there are benefits to playing acoustic duos: less heavy equipment to haul, actually being able to hear and perfect vocals and harmonies, enhanced musicality of the song selection . . .

At the right venue, with the right guests, and perhaps the right adult beverages, it works.

Still, the thing that drives me musically is drums and bass. Given a choice, I want my son Jeff playing the drums and driving the band. After all, our band is called “Caution! Blind Driver” because Jeff is the driver of the band.

Enjoy some drums and bass.