Seventy-five-year-old Roy Rogers answers his cell phone with a zeal and vibrancy that’s lovely and palpable to hear from someone at any age. One gets the feeling he’s just that kind of guy.
But in terms of our conversation, I’ll attribute it to his excitement about an upcoming swing of shows that kick off at Petaluma’s Mystic Theatre on Saturday, April 18.
While Rogers has never stopped touring, he has recently released his first album in more than a decade. Entitled The Sky’s the Limit, the album contains songs that are an impressive blend of his classic Delta blues rhythm slide guitar with a few songs that are straight-up rockers that also feature a sort of glossy sheen production value, something a bit different for Rogers.
“When I get in the studio, it’s really the song that shows us how we’re going to record it,” says Rogers. “You really have to let it be, don’t push it too much, know when you got it or when you know the groove wasn’t quite there yet.”
Rogers is effusive when speaking about his longtime trio The Delta Rhythm Kings, which includes bass player Steve Ehrmann and drummer Kevin Hayes. “It’s just so great when we get in the studio; these guys just get it,” he says, noting that the group can speak to one another with a shorthand including a look or a nod that only happens after decades of sharing the stage.
He is certainly no stranger to the studio, having recorded 24 albums himself over nearly 50 years, including collaborations with unique artists like Ray Manzarek and Sammy Hagar. Rogers has also produced songs and albums by Carlos Santana, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker and Linda Ronstadt. And of course there were his many albums and shows with the late, great blues harmonica legend Norton Buffalo. Not too shabby for a kid born in Redding who grew up in Novato.
Rogers says his musical journey as a youngster was rooted in the pop rock of the ’50s and ’60s, but “Man, when I heard B.B. King, it just blew my head off,” he recalls. Thus kickstarted a love for the blues which eventually led him to becoming one of the finest and most well-respected Delta blues style guitarists of all time. His passion for the blues also eventually landed him the role of producer on John Lee Hooker’s Grammy-winning 1989 comeback album of sorts, The Healer. He recently had a reminder of the power of that album from an unexpected place.
Back in March, he was at home with his wife in Nevada City, where they now reside. They were watching the Oscar telecast. When Sinners composer Ludwig Göransson won for his work on the film, he recalled a seminal moment in his life, one in which his father brought home Hooker’s The Healer album. Rogers lights up, recalling, “Man, that was cool. Really special. I just about fell out of my chair when he said that in front of so many people.”
As the chat continues, it occurs that Rogers may have played the Mystic Theatre more than any other artist over the years, and he’s more than fine with that. “Petaluma’s a great town, and that’s a great place to play,” he notes. “I have many, many fond memories of shows there with me, the band and [Norton] Buffalo.”
When asked what fans can expect, Rogers doesn’t act coy. “We’re excited to get back out there,” he says. His lively attitude explains that much like his new album, “There will be some rockers and of course Delta blues and slide. You have to make sure to give the crowd what they paid to see but also play new things you’re excited to get out there.”
Roy Rogers and The Delta Rhythm Kings perform Saturday, April 18 at The Mystic Theatre in downtown Petaluma. More info and tickets at mystictheatre.com.
