Kelly "Mr. Chill" Hoppe has been a fixture on the Canadian and international music scene, starting with roots rockers, The Dougalls (1981 to 1986) and then with The Windsor Dukes (1986 to 1994). In 1994 he joined Toronto-based reggae 'n' blues rock recording act BIG SUGAR. Big Sugar released five CDs and one EP during his tenure with the band.
When Big Sugar dissolved in 2004, Mr. Chill formed MR. CHILL & THE WITNESSES, and released in '06 "Mr. Chill's Cold Testament" a CD blending his passion for country, bluegrass, blues, folk, gospel and old school rock 'n' roll. You can hear Kelly's music on the Mr. Chill MySpace page. Mr. Chill has been busy as a studio sideman as well.
Big Sugar is back this summer. They're new record, REVOLUTION PER MINUTE, the first in about 10 years comes out in late June. You can see Kelly, Gordie Johnson and the rest of the band ON TOUR. They are appearing in Calgary my home town at the Century Casino July 8 and 9, 2011.
I asked Kelly to take some time out of his busy Big Sugar rehearsal schedule to answer some questions about the records he likes and the ones that have influenced his harmonica, sax, keyboard playing and songwriting. Kelly Hoppe was kind enough to give me some answers when I asked him to Press Play >
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
When Big Sugar dissolved in 2004, Mr. Chill formed MR. CHILL & THE WITNESSES, and released in '06 "Mr. Chill's Cold Testament" a CD blending his passion for country, bluegrass, blues, folk, gospel and old school rock 'n' roll. You can hear Kelly's music on the Mr. Chill MySpace page. Mr. Chill has been busy as a studio sideman as well.
Big Sugar is back this summer. They're new record, REVOLUTION PER MINUTE, the first in about 10 years comes out in late June. You can see Kelly, Gordie Johnson and the rest of the band ON TOUR. They are appearing in Calgary my home town at the Century Casino July 8 and 9, 2011.
I asked Kelly to take some time out of his busy Big Sugar rehearsal schedule to answer some questions about the records he likes and the ones that have influenced his harmonica, sax, keyboard playing and songwriting. Kelly Hoppe was kind enough to give me some answers when I asked him to Press Play >
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Ron Leary's Dependent Arising. Ron's a great songwriter based now in Toronto who I play and record with from time to time.
WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE TWO OR THREE) THAT INFLUENCE YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?
Little Walter's Boss Blues Harmonica. Double LP that I bought at the Montreal Folklore Centre in the summer of 1972. Struck me like lightnin'. Can still remember askin' "WHO AND WHAT IS THAT?", as I heard it for the first time on the store turntable. Bought it right then and still listen to it for inspiration.
WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?
I was ten years young, and I bought Sugar Shack by Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs, 45rpm on the Dot label. Think it was 2:06 in length. It was a big hit on WKNR, WXYZ and CKLW radio in Windsor ON, my hometown .
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE? (SONG AND COVERED BY WHOM?)
Ray Charles version of Buck Owens' Cryin' Time. Honorable mention: Doc Watson's version of Gene MacLellan's Snowbird.
WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE?
Don't know if I exactly feel guilty about it, but He's A Rebel by the Crystals would probably rank at the top of my list. I guess because it's sung by women, and I've always been a sucker for female groups and singers. From gospel singers Mahalia Jackson and Dorothy Love Coates, to the Marvelettes, the Shirelles and the Ronettes. And of course the Crystals!
CURRENTLY, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD?
Hard to pin down, but just yesterday travelling in Alberta, all of us in Big Sugar we're really diggin' a CD that belonged to Friendlyness (our keyboardist and freestyle lyricist) called The Wailing Souls: Classic Cuts 1978 to 1984. Wicked classic reggae!
You can find Kelly Hoppe on Facebook HERE.
You can find Kelly Hoppe on Facebook HERE.
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