Ravi: So, when was your first experience in a music store?
Mo’: Oh, I didn’t see a music store for a good while. There was a store in Compton (South Los Angeles): Compton Music Center run by the Blaylocks, a father and son. They had this little music store, and they had instruments, but everything was sold at retail and the prices were high. They had the Ventura line and Harmony Guitars. I don’t think they had any Fenders or anything like that. They had music lessons there so music teachers would come in and teach. I never bought anything there other than strings and picks, but the place inspired me. I took conga and guitar lessons there—about four on guitar and two on conga. I really was playing the conga drum and fancied myself as a percussionist. The guitar was something I did, but I was always wondering what instrument to play. I was in a steel band playing steel drums, so I was jumping from instrument to instrument, trying to find myself.
Ravi: Did you take any lessons beyond those four?
Mo’: I took French horn in junior high and high school, but in high school I got in a band and I was the rhythm guitar player. I learned most about how to play in that cover band—just a top 40 cover band playing dances.
Ravi: So, when did you get into blues?
Mo’: Oh, that came way later. That came after my pop career was over; when I realized that I was never going to have a pop career. I still wanted to play music, so I thought I’d play the blues since the music is real easy. I didn’t have to worry about rehearsing, the songs were easy, and people like to hear it.
Ravi: And look where it has taken you. What is this now, your 7th Grammy nomination?
Mo’: Let’s see, three hits, three misses…yup seven. I lost one for “Best Contemporary Blues Album,” another for “Best Children’s Record,” and last year for “Best Country Song” (a co-write with the Dixie Chicks). This year I am up for Best Contemporary Blues Album—I’ve won one three times in that category, but I think Susan Tedeschi is going to win. (Irma Thomas won).
Ravi: What does it mean to you to be nominated?
Mo’: It’s cool, but at this point, I’ve already won. At first it was great. I mean, I could say that it is an honor, and it is an honor, but it’s not as exciting as it was the first time. It’s just as big of an honor, but it’s not quite as exciting because now I have other things that I want to do, like music. With the Grammys, there are all these other things that go with it. You have to go to the Grammys, you have to buy something to wear, your wife’s got to get something to wear, and then there are the events that surround it.
Ravi: Do you think it gets away from what it is really about?
Mo’: No, no. But for me, I love to make music and that is what it is all about…making music. Going and getting an award for making music is an honor, but I’d rather be making music than receiving some award.
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