Moses Morin

If you are a frequent local music listener in Amarillo, chances are you have seen a guy with a rather funny looking guitar and big hat playing on stage somewhere. Moses Morin often sits in with bands and musicians who are performing at local nightspots.

He has an incredible ear and style of improvisation that has allowed him to find a place and play with many different styles. For years he has shown up to countless gigs and played a night for the audiences that are there to listen.

Working for the railroad for 25 plus years he has had a railroaders schedule which is not a 9 to 5 Monday through Friday kind of work week. Rather it can change from week to week so he goes out when he is in Amarillo and finds friends he can play with. So needless to say you never know exactly when you will catch Moses.

Moses’s CD which he hand signs and sells or often gives out to fans is a fine album of original works. Mostly instrumental it was recorded here in Amarillo at AMP Recording with Drew Holder.

Moses has been, in this writer’s opinion, a integral part of our Amarillo music scene. And this interview series would be incomplete with out him. I was able to interview Moses via MySpace and here’s what he had to say.

THE INTERVIEW:

First off where were you born and raised?
Here in Amarillo, We lived with our Grandparents on Auther St, right across from what’s now the La Frontera cafe.

What is your first musical memory?
Playin on a toy guitar for my Grandfather, He was layin across the bed with his head propped up on one arm and just smilin at me. I was two or three years old.

Who were your musical influences?
the Los Panchos, Nat King Cole, The Ventures, Django Reinhardt, Muddy Waters, Joe Satriani, The Blasters, Tito & Trantula, Joe Pass, Stanley Jordan, Los Tres Reyes, Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday, Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who,...and just about everything else.

When did you first pick up the guitar and decide that you were going to play it?
When my older brother, Val got a guitar, I was about 10 years old, and when he wasn’t around. I could mess with it, after awhile Dad got one for me at a Piggly Wiggly store. A nylon string Norma- 35 bucks

Where was the first place you played?
At a birthday party with Robert Carter. He had the guitars and amp, (his Dad’s) We were about 13 or so..
My first paying gig was at O.H.M.S...20 bucks, free meal, and any tips in the jar!...it was so cool, I couldn’t believe my luck.

You told me of a story one time.....where you blind folded yourself to be able to hear better ....tell me the story of that .....how old were you ...why did you do it?
This was when I was about 13, I was fascinated as to how people like Ray Charles, Little Stevie Wonder and Jose Falesiano could do what it is …..they do! Their music was unlike anything else I’d ever heard! So I guess I had to find out for myself what it was like to BE BLIND. I started out by just walking around the house with my eyes closed, but when I bumped into anything, I’d automatically open’em up again, Well that was cheatin cause those guys couldn’t see even if they wanted. So I had to blindfold myself so that wouldn’t happen anymore,Then I began to walk around in the house, the backyard, sit at the table to eat, tryin to do the things that you would normally have to do if you were blind, up to 2 and 3 hours a day, I did it off an on for about a month, this seem to rewire my brain! Because I was suddenly aware of the sounds going on around me! Yeah.. my brothers teased me about it.. but Mom would get’m to stop. Mom and Dad where pretty good about letting us kids try anything if we thought we could do it, and nobody got hurt...too bad.

In music what is important to you?
That it has something that changes you inside, That it gives you such a feeling...so good, that you want to have that feeling again and again.

In life what is important to you?
God, Family, Friends, Freedom.(if you feel differently about these....good luck.)

What type of music do you play?
I try to mix it up and play as many styles as I can, But I kind of like Flamenco Jazz.

How do you write your songs?
Piece by piece- until I have what I hear in my head coming through my hands. Or think of a short story and try to create a sound track to it. Somehow it seems to work for me.

What music do you most enjoy?
Everything and everything.. except for pokaraprage or rapragepoka...OR ragepokarap.

Where do you play?
Golden Light, Butlers, Bodegas, Coconutz, Burberrys, Mulligans, Hoots, The Nat, and any other place that will let me.

Who all have you played with?
I try to play with as many people that will let me..like Andy Chase, Ricky Horton, Stew Moss, Johnny Reverb, David Freyer, Vince Hopkins, Nathan Taylor, Rodney Branigan, Tennesse Tuckness, Matt Martindale, Boss 420, Bo Salling and the Brakes are All Gone Band, Copperhead, Richie Van Note, Mike Fuller, Insufficient Funds, Los 3 Kings, Roger Dean, Dustin Willams, Pants Mandolin, Cin.Bowtie, Sundaynite Midnight, Cadillac Fraf, Bob Hopkins, Kickin Wookies, and Josh Paulson. there’s many others, (forgive me if I’ve missed you.)

What is the most important thing to you in playing music?
That it’s good!..doesn’t matter what style it is!...it’s just gotta sound GOOD! Complex or simple if everyone playin isn’t on the same page...it no sound good.

Who have you learned from?
Bobby Gold (taught me the first basic chords), An old blind man in the old neighborhood off Arthur St- I’ve long forgotten his name, they were my first teachers. But I feel that you can learn from anyone…...if you Listen!

Do you have a CD available.
Yes!...and plans for a 2nd CD....coming soon!!

How can people catch you playing?
Just get out! support Live Music IN Amarillo, I’ll be around there...somewhere.