If you attended a festival this summer, Roosevelt Collier well may have joined your favorite band on stage to add his steel pedal talents.
Collier, a Miami native, who first gained renown with uncles and cousins in The Lee Boys, spent hours driving in his car to jam with his peers and still has plenty of musicians he wishes to join forces with.
Jambands.com reached a vacationing Collier in Orlando via telephone to discuss his busy summer, upcoming plans, church upbringing and musical family: The Lee Boys.
Can you talk about what this summer has been like for you?
This summer has been amazing. It’s been great and I’m looking forward to bigger and better things to come. I put in a lot of road hours driving up and down the highway to get to some of these festivals. I was the artist at-large for both Summer Camp and All Good Festival. I was able to play with some amazing musicians and bands: John Butler Trio, Leftover Salmon,Victor Wooten, North Mississippi Allstars just to name a few.
What is the hardest part and the easiest part about sitting in with a band?
The hardest part is getting tuned up – making sure my stuff is in tune before I play. The easiest part is jamming. It’s all about that moment and everyone is excited to see what’s going to happen.
How does a sitting in with a band come to fruition? Does the band come to you, do you approach them?
It goes both ways. A lot of these folks are my friends, so it’s all love. A lot of times, they have heard of me and they ask me or if I’ve see some really cool band that I haven’t played with, I’ll ask them.
What bands are on your wish list?
Phish, Panic, Dave Matthews, Zac Brown, Robert Randolph, and I’m dying to play with Buddy Guy.
On Nov. 5 at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami, you’re teaming up with the Bobby Lee Rodgers Band to open for Widespread Panic.
Yeah man, I’m stoked – that’s my hometown. I’m looking forward to it. In that short time frame, we’re going to give it our all. I love playing with Bobby Lee Rodgers. We are more like family. I have no idea what tricks we are going to pull out of the hat for this Widespread Panic show, but you better believe it is about to be funky and nasty.
Do you think you’ll get a chance to sit-in with Panic?
I’m going to see what happens. I’m friendly with Jojo (Herman), so hopefully it happens.
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