Blues Man Hits the ‘Big Time’

What does it feel like when a musician, after toiling the better part of his life away in seedy little honky-tonks, is “discovered” well into his seventh decade? Blues man Long John Hunter, who plays Sunday at the Big Time Blues Festival in Long Beach, can tell you.

“It feels real good,” he said with a chuckle, on the phone recently from his home in Odessa, Texas. “I’m just glad I’m old enough and wise enough that I don’t let it go to my head. I don’t think I’m Big Long John now or anything, I’m still just John, you know? It makes no difference how much success I have. I like playing for people; I like entertaining, and that’s the whole thing for me, that’s my only high. I don’t drink or smoke or have any other habits, so when I have an audience and people are enjoying what I do, that’s my all-time high.”

Hunter, who will turn 65 Saturday, has been one of the blues’ best-kept secrets. He has been a regional favorite in West Texas and Mexico for a long time. But his reputation--as a top-notch singer, guitarist and unbridled wild-man performer (legend has it that he has been known to swing from the rafters of a club)--didn’t extend far beyond those confines except in hard-core blues circles, where his shows were sought out by musicologists and by such performers as B.B. King and James Brown.

But instead of being bitter about the low-profile years, Hunter views the extended dues-paying as an asset.

“I’ve been really blessed by God,” he said. “Like when I played in Juarez for 10 years. I played seven nights a week for 10 years, and that’s unheard of. I was young and kind of dumb, but I just wanted to make a lot of music and noise.”

His luck began to change when he hooked up with manager Steve Jeter a few years ago. The relationship culminated this year in Hunter’s first internationally released album, the much-heralded “Border Town Legend” on Alligator Records. According to Alligator, “Legend” has been given more airplay on blues radio than any other release of 1996, and the reviews have been positive.

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Hunter gives all the credit to Jeter. “I’ve always had the thought in mind that I could be up there with the heavyweights, but I never really got the chance before. In this business, you have to have a good mouthpiece, and I never had that until I came across Steve Jeter. He seen a lot in me, and I appreciate that he’s got a lot of things done for me. He made all the difference in the world. I’m telling you, it’s like night and day.”

“Border Town Legend” reveals Hunter as a raw, feral talent bursting with energy. His vocals are high and joyfully reedy, his guitar playing alternately restrained and flashy. His work shows the influence of such Texas blues giants as Albert Collins and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown as well as his all-time idol, B.B. King.

“The only inspiration I ever really had was B.B. King,” he said. “I saw him one night years ago and said, ‘This just has to be the thing for me to do.’ He was the man. I mean, I saw him and sparks got to flying from me! So he has been my inspiration all through my musical life. I have my own style now, but when I first started I thought if it didn’t sound like B.B. King, then it wasn’t music.”

Among the highlights of Hunter’s lean years was a night when King dropped by to check him out in Texas and they had a chance to pick and chat together. Hunter hasn’t had the opportunity to speak with King since “Border Town Legend” came out, but he is looking forward to the day.

“He’s really a great guy, you know. I’m really hoping I get to talk to that rascal again soon, before we get too old to remember!”

Meanwhile, Hunter continues to tour at home and abroad, building a career that should have had its foundation set decades ago. But the way he views it, better late than never.

“I’m looking for that mountaintop. I’m halfway up there now, and I’m still climbing, and I’m gonna keep climbing ‘til I get there, and then I’m gonna turn the bright lights on.”

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BLUES FESTIVAL

The lineup for the fourth annual Big Time Blues Festival in Long Beach:

* 11 a.m.: Ladies Sing the Blues.

* 11:45: Flattop Tom & his Jumpcats.

* 12:45 p.m.: Harmonica Fats & Bernie Pearl.

* 1:45: The James Harman Band.

* 3: John Hammond.

* 4:15: Long John Hunter.

* 5:30: Magic Slim & the Teardrops.

The festival takes place Sunday at Gemmrig Park, 7390 E. Carson St., Long Beach, rain or shine. $18 advance, $21 at the gate, age 12 and under free. Festival seating. (310) 426-4616.