Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys form in Anaheim in 1988, during the California roots revival, and begin as a trio before developing into a full band. They specialise in American roots music, especially western swing, rockabilly and traditional country, and later also draw on rock and roll, Stax-style Memphis soul and bossa nova.

Line-up and history

The early trio includes drummer Bobby Trimble, and the group’s first two albums are Fly Right With and On The Go. Steel guitarist Lee Jeffriess joins in 1991, prompting the shift to the name Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys. After about a decade, Jeffriess takes time away to be with his family, later returns, and shares steel guitar duties on Turntable Matinee with Jimmy Roy, who also spends time away to be with his own family. The longer-running line-up also includes Ashley Kingman on guitar, Bobby Trimble on drums and Jeff West on bass.

Recordings and collaborators

The group records over the years in several studios, including Capital Records Studios for Jumping from 6 to 6 and Swingin' West, both produced by Grammy winner Dave Alvin, and Hollywood’s Electro Vox Studios for It's Time!. Turntable Matinee appears on Yep Roc Records and features songs that range across the band’s stylistic interests, including “The Power of the 45, Part 1,” “(Yes) I Feel Sorry For You,” “Lonesome Dollar,” “Spanish Dagger,” “Slipping Away,” “Haunted Heels,” “I Know I’ve Loved You Before” and “Mad.” Jeff West writes three of the tracks, while Big Sandy writes songs including “Spanish Dagger.”

Sound and influences

Big Sandy describes the group as a rock and roll band with roots showing. The band’s material reflects a wide set of influences heard in the music they play and sing about, including Junior Parker, Ronnie Dawson, Little Esther, Chuck Berry, Glen Glenn, Etta James, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Ray Charles, Richard Berry and Cliffie Stone. Big Sandy’s vocal style is compared to Buddy Holly in its sweet, smooth and sincere delivery.

Performance and touring

The band plays major stages such as the Grand Ole Opry and Late Night With Conan O'Brien, and is frequently on the road. Their touring history includes two buses: a converted 1949 passenger bus and later a yellow 1950 school bus. The group also keeps a vintage look and sound through its instruments and gear, including Kingman’s 1957 custom Magnatone guitar, West’s upright bass and Trimble’s vintage drum kit.

Guests and musical detail

Turntable Matinee also features guest contributions from Dave “Kad” Kadison on horns on “Slipping Away” and Uncle Ernie Vargas of the Lonely Blue Boys on piano on “Mad.” The record highlights the band’s ensemble playing, including trade-off guitar solos between Kingman and Jeffriess and understated brushwork from Trimble.