Joe: So to get the basics out of the way, for people who don't know much about you why don't you tell us about yourself.

Terry: Well, in summery I consider myself to be your average fella. Love the normal things in life, the out doors, sports, enjoying my friends and family and of course, my music. I could go one, but I don't want you to fall asleep!

Joe:How did you start playing music?

Terry: Well, I started experimenting with sounds as far back as 3 years of age. Our house always had music playing. It was The Beatles that ignited my love of music. I use to try and make things 'Twang' to replicate a guitar. Often it sounded like hell, but that's really when I knew where I was heading musically! I actually started playing at 15 although I was playing around before. But at 15 I really was determined to teach myself to be a competent guitar player, and of course, I did.

Joe: What got you interested in playing blues music?

Terry: Blues is so misrepresented. Its often defined as 'I woke up this morning my dog was dead' type of thing. Far from it. Blues is historically credited with being the founding genre of ALL popular music. With that in mind, I was listening to Elvis singing the Blues which he did, but, it was The Stones & Clapton that really hooked me when I was a kid. Of course they hooked mainstream America to it also! In addition to those Sam Cook, Otis Redding were pumping out soul based Blues too. Then of course via Stones I got on to Waters, Wolfe & Robert Johnson..

Joe: Who would you say influenced you the most as a blues musician?

Terry: Wow, what a question. Its very much horses for courses. And hand on heart, there are so many that have pulled on my heart strings and made me sit back and go wow, or even shed a tear its that powerful. If I had to pick one that stand out from them all, it has to be Eric (Clapton).

Joe: What is your take on the current blues scene right now in music?

Terry: Please bare with me on this one, as it is important for us all that this message gets across.

It is very timely, that you pose this question. Since having my website I have been very 'shocked' at the growth of my popularity, particularly in the States. in that time, I have had the very good fortune to meet and become close friends with some seriously talented musicians, Mike Dollins, Mark Kerr, Texas Jake Lee, Johnny Mannion, Jimmy Lloyd Rae. And with those fella's we have really formed a brotherhood, who are so determined to keep the Blues alive.

Blues is an American heritage and route music that spawned everything we know today. Yet, it was Britain that took the Blues and showed the world its purity and moreover, put the spot light on those wonderful Black Blues Icons we know and love today. BB King, Muddy Waters have both said 'If it wasn't for English White kids, Blues music would have never reached the world or mainstream America!!"

Now ok, we all make mistakes. But the American Corporate Recording Companies take no interest in the Blues at all. Unless you bring your own paying public like The Stones or Clapton do effortlessly. Yet, those two alone, are still breaking tour gross records that they themselves set 40 plus years ago. Blues is still Huge and the demand for it equally as big.

My good friends Mark Kerr & Mike Dollins, two giants in the American underground Blues network are talking to masses of Blues fans on a global level, and they asked for my help to push these boundaries further. Mike has a Blues network that is likely to be the biggest of its kind on the planet. His site(s) attracts thousands of visitors a day. Mark Kerr's Blues Nation Podcast, is in the upper quartile of the Worlds biggest Blues shows, which goes out to tens of thousands of people weekly across the planet.

And of course there is Rock365, you chaps! A gem of a station that welcomes people like me and my Blues and is a staunch supporter of it. Blues is alive, kicking & breathing because of the passion of its musicians, its fans and its supporters, the Rock365's of this word.

I sit back here looking in at the wealth of talent in the Blues Genre (Blues with a Rock, Jazz & Soul twist) And I say to myself 'The Corporate Recording Companies' have lost not only their own self respect but the respect they should hold for their own routes & heritage.

I had a mail from a 12 year old lad in Georgia and I quote: "Hey Terry, I really love the Blues, I love your playing. My Nanny is going to buy me a PRS and I am going to play the Blues"

Now that is not an isolated incident either. I feel passionately that the American Corporate Music Industry has a moral duty to promote the founding father of popular music, the Blues. What will a young kid like my little pal in Georgia be left with in 10 years to aspire too? Rap alone?

Joe Tell us about your album "Blue Wind Blowing". How did it come about?

Terry: Actually it was quite simple, as most things are. Every song I set out to record, I try to envisage how the greats, Johnson, Jefferson would have gone about it with such limited technology. I try to record one take, one hit Blues, I don't like huge productions, and those fella's certainly didn't have that luxury, so it was me paying my small homage to them. I had a catalogue of tracks that I had recorded from 2001-2004. Which in the main, I did just for personal enjoyment. I then went on to a network where I bumped in to a fella who is a huge Blues fan, Uncle Henry as he is fondly known from Illinois. He really loved the Blue I was making and suggested I do something with them. The final couple of track I recorded were in Winter, for me a great time to record as it gets warm to say the least when you have a load of gear around you. I went for a walk one winters day, and it was bitterly cold, that cutting wind that takes your ears off. And that's how the title came about. And the CD was born through others encouraging me to release something.

Joe: You do an amazing cover of Stevie Ray Vaughn's Pride and Joy. Was it tough to chose a particular SRV song or did you have your heart set on that one?

Terry: You know, as I said earlier about my influences, how can I not be influence by this great man. It was a bold ambition to do Pride & Joy, no one does it like Stevie Ray, including me. Its a complex rhythmic shuffle on the main riff and a truly masterful raunchy almost reggae like under run pattern going on under the vocal. It took a while to pin it down and if I were to do it again, it would be better. But yea I am happy with it. He had so many great tracks to choose from but that one is special to me.

Joe: You also did a great version of Sweet Home Chicago. How did it feel making your own version of the song?

Terry: It has to be one of the most covered Blues songs of all time. Of Course it would be, we are talking Robert Johnson. I felt as though I was walking in the shadows of giants, recording that one. But you know, I love that track, and its personally, one of my favourite tracks I have done.

Joe: Tell us about the song "Hell Hound" and what it's about.

Terry:Hell Hound, well again its a Robert Johnson track. Not much is known about his life, was he poisoned? Did he go as mad as a hatter? And of course the legendary selling his soul to the devil. Hell Hound for me really captivates the mystery of this great man. And everything that is known about him, can be found on a record sleeve. So you can easy put your own twist on what the Johnson Legend was all about. I personally feel that the term Blues is just an issue in your life, be it a woman, financial worries, drinking to much or what ever. That song is Johnson just pouring his heart out about his very young and sad life at that point in time!

Joe:How did your collaboration with Johnny Krier on Take a Rest happen?

Terry: Well, I often get driven by events in my life or in the World at that time. There I had a very rough period going on circa 2003. And I just put a few licks together and built the melody around it. And I really liked it, it is as is indicates about kicking back and relaxing. Johnny living in Pennsylvania and me in Southern England couldn't exactly jump in a studio together. So we chatted, and Johnny loved the track. We had been chatting about how we record, and I suggested we try to do something my mail. So that in mind, I remixed it and gave a the track a slot for Johnny to work on in the 1st half of the song, up to my Slide Solo (which was inspired by Ronnie Wood). And Johnny being Johnny very tastefully put a few lovely touching licks in the 2nd 2/3rds of the 1st half, and he really as far as I am concerned, took it in a better direction. He is a great talent is Johnny, love him.

Joe:Light My Fuse is another good song on this album. What's the story behind it?

Terry: Well, that is me bowing my head to Stevie Ray. The great shuffle licks he does so well. But I wanted that clean beautiful Fender Stratocaster sound. And I actually wrote and recorded that in less than 11/2 hours. Looking back, I may have done it slightly different in the mixing stakes. But I am really proud of it, its a good little toe tapper.

Joe: The album starts off with Long Time Ago. How did this track come about?

Terry: Long time Ago as in Light my fuse actually, I tuned down semi tone. Like Stevie Ray and Hendrix did, gives a wonderful resonance and suits my vocal range too. I have never been one for long drawn out Solo's. As I play everything it does drain you, as you are always busy with input levels bla bla. And you tend to loose a bit of energy along the way if your are not careful. Again, I didn't want much distortion going on and went for a good earthy sound. But I hadn't played wah for years, and I don't know why, as I love it if used right. And that song sort of built itself. And I found myself letting rip on a couple of solo's which is unusual for me, but hey, I loved it.

Joe: Do you think it's a lost art in having a good song open up an album to keep people listening?

Terry: I think to be honest its as important today as ever as far as CD sales go. But then, if "Blue Wind Blowing" was purchased off of Itunes which many have, you can hear the whole album in time bites. And buy tracks separately, so it is horses for courses. But, I am old school, CD's are my thing and as my generation do, we always take note of the 1st track on any CD we listen to for the 1st time.

Joe: Being a blues musician, do you have any favorite stories from playing a gig?

Terry: Goodness, I don't want to incriminate myself lol. I guess for me one for the most memorable gigs was in London a few years ago. I was invited to a gig, but was kept in the dark as regard to what it was about. Anyway, I arrived in the dark kind of thing, and we pull up at this Studio in West London. Two heavy's on the door, with a clip board and grinding their teeth, you know the sort I mean? Anyway I was on a VIP list and was guided through a corridor and in to the main studio. Well, if I said there was virtually every great guitar player to come out of Britain & America too come to think of it, I would not be exaggerating. I was standing talking to these two elderly fellas, with very deep southern US accents. They were just so enchanting and polite, Gentleman of the highest order. They kind of rang a bell visually, but you know, I was still in awe at the legends I was mixing with. These two chaps were Scotty Moor & DJ Fontana, yep, Elvis Presleys very own band from his Sun recording days.

There was Led Zeps Jimmy Page, Albert Lee, Steve Howe, Gary Moore the list was endless. But then I spotted a personal hero, Creams Jack Bruce. And I had the privilege of chatting and playing with him, Gary Moore, Scotty Moor & DJ Fontana, so yea for just a while I was in their band. And I also stood chatting with Jimmy Page a huge influence on the modern guitar. And you know, each an every one of them showed me so much love and respect, to this day I am humbled by it.

Joe:Is the life of a blues musician everything they say it is?

Terry: Well, it dependent on who's story line you follow. I would just say, yes I have been a tearaway in my time but I am wiser now the years have gone by. All I know is, I would not swap The Blues and my passion for it, for anythng! The way you live your life is in your hands!

Joe: If you could chose one blues musician in history to play a song with who would it be?

Terry: My goodness, that's the hardest question yet. Ask me tomorrow and likelihood is, I would give you a different answer. Right here and now, I would say Robert Johnson because without him, the Blues would not be what it is today. And in addition to having the honour of gracing the same stage has him. Just to shake his hand and thank him!

Joe:Are there any current people in blues that you'd like to collaborate with one day?

Terry: All my hero's for one. But you know, I have friends that have inspired me musically equally to my 'Famous' hero's. I would love to get together with Mike Dollins, the man is an Icon to me. He has more Blues feeling in his little toe than a beach has sand. What's more with Mike he is a giver. He is so supportive and encouraging and like the ten commandments are a wise set of rules to live by. Mike Dollins footsteps are wise to follow. Wonderful man. But The list is endless really, Johnny Mannion, Mark Kerr, Jimmy Lloyd Rae love to work with them all. But I am working on a small project with a stunning Blues singer, Patty Benson, so watch this space.

Joe:Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Terry: If my maker deems it appropriate, I will still be playing the Blues. And I will be touring the States, that's will happen!

Joe: What can we expect from you in the rest of 2007 and the start of 2008?

Terry: Well, I have nearly (emphasis on nearly) written a full CD's worth of songs. With the great success of Blue Wind Blowing that has kept me very busy indeed. So I need to schedule in some recording time, and get back to work on a new CD. 2008 well, I hope to do my first gigs in the States. I have been so very lucky, my friends (hate the term fan) have been so supportive, and I get so many mails for America about "Ok Terry when you coming to America?" So its got to happen. For me to play in The Blues homeland, well that's special!

Joe: Finally if you could sum up your career so far in one word or sentence what would it be?

Terry: Fortunate!

Joe: Well I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us.

Terry: Thank you chaps, great questions very well set.