The Tedeschi Trucks Band is bringing their Wheels of Soul tour to PNC Pavilion on Friday, July 19th and to the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights on Saturday, July 20th. Both shows start at 7pm. Opening acts are Blackberry Smoke and Shovels & Rope. I spoke by phone yesterday with guitarist Derek Trucks about the Tedeschi Trucks Band's new album, Signs, and also about their Wheels of Soul tour.
Derek talked about how satisfying it was to have the album recorded and produced in-house with the "family" in their Jacksonville studio. During our conversation, he also talked about the loss of Kofi Burbridge earlier this year and the monumental impact on the band which still exists.
We also discussed the feeling of loss and the importance of friends and family which is reflected in the lyrics of the Sign's songs including "When Will I Begin," "Strengthen What Remains," "Still Your Mind," and "Shame." Derek also mentioned that the last song on the album, "The Ending," is a tribute to "our friend and mentor Col. Bruce Hampton (Ret.)" to whom the album is dedicated....and that the band doesn't play that one on tour.
I also asked him about the band's appearance at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas September 20th and 21st, and the story behind their long engagement at the Beacon Theater in New York City September 27th through October 5th...noting that 4 of the shows are already sold out.