Former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford kicks off tour Oct. 27 at The Coach House
Known for his work with the Black Crowes during their 1990s heyday, guitarist and songwriter Marc Ford has returned to the blues-rock sound for his latest album.
The San Clemente resident, who has performed with artists like Ben Harper, Gov’t Mule and Booker T. Jones, released “The Vulture” Oct. 14. He’s hitting the road this fall with 20 nationwide dates already scheduled.
His first show is Oct. 27 at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. He’ll perform with Neptune Blues Club, the album’s backing band made up of Mike Malone, John Bazz and Anthony Arvizu.
As for the inspiration behind the album, which includes tracks like “Devil’s in the Details” and “Our Lady Sunrise,” Ford said said there really wasn’t much of an influence.
“I knew the kind of songs I wanted to record, and I knew that the music would show up,” Ford, 50, said by phone. “Sometimes, the songs just play out by themselves.”
“The Vulture” has many connotations, and it’s up to the listener to define the meaning behind the album, he said.
Ford, who picked up the guitar at age 10, started playing at clubs at 15.
He joined the Black Crowes in late 1991 and toured and recorded on three of the band’s albums. The group has sold over 35 million records.
“It was an incredible part of my life and it also was incredibly bad,” he said of playing in the band. “Would I want to do it again? No. Was I glad it happened? Yes.”
Ford left the group and released his first solo album in 2002.
Since then, Ford has released four albums and has produced artists like Ryan Bingham, Pawnshop Kings and Steepwater Band.
He has won a NAACP award for his work on the Ben Harper and Blind Boys of Alabama album, “There Will Be A Light.”
For now, he’s looking forward to hitting the road and visiting places like Macon, Ga., South Bend, Ind., and Nashville, Tenn.
“You get to daydream almost all day long,” Ford said of road trips. “I’ve been told that’s all wrong, that it’s unproductive and not good, but most days, I can do what I want. That’s where most of all my ideas come from.”
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IF YOU GO
What: Marc Ford
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 27
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
Cost: Tickets are $18
Information: (949) 496-8930 or thecoachhouse.com
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
