Celestial Soulman Shuggie Otis Continues Comeback – The Austin Chronicle

“My first experience being around musicians happened at my own house with my father’s band,” recalls Shuggie Otis, born Johnny Alexander Veliotes Jr. “I was probably about 3 or 4 years old and they would rehearse every weekend. They’d play R&B, rock & roll, and blues. Rock & roll had just come out then. They were some of the first ones to do it.

…Otis swears his guitar chops have never been better and he gets giddy talking about a forthcoming album of new material on Cleopatra Records.

“I feel a spiritual connection for doing this music where, when I was younger, I would deny sharing any sort of personal experience that would be emotional at all. I was too insecure. I had a lot of hang-ups. I think I’m on a better path now, and every day you learn something new.

Read more at The Austin Chronicle.

Photo by Sandy Carson