October 29, 2011

Troubador Music continues with its study on the blues with a master class given by blues guitarist and local Dallas performer Tommy Katona. Tommy was born in Hungary and was influenced by his father who played guitar. Tommy, who was considered a child prodigy, started playing in his father’s band at the age of nine. After hearing a video of Texas legend Stevie Ray Vaughn, he immersed himself in the blues. Tommy first came to America on a travel visa in 2006 and went to Austin to play. He came back the following year and is now living in Frisco with his wife.
In the clinic Tommy told more about his beginnings his influences such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmi Hendrix and others. Tommy talked about his equipment that gives him his own unique sound.

The staff of Troubador Music (Kevin Curtis, Phil Minshew, and Billy Bucher)
backed him up as he played blues favorites Pride and Joy, and The Sky is Cryin’.

Mr. Katona talked in detail about his technique and his style and demonstrated the styles of famous players such as BB King, Albert Collins and Stevie Ray, which had a profound influence in his playing. Participants in the clinic got to play along with Tommy and the Troubador Music staff, and each person got a chance to solo and have feed back from Tommy and the staff. A question and answer session was also held with people asking Tommy questions from the type of guitars he used, to picks and amp settings. This was the second annual blues master clinic held by Mr. Katona and Troubador Music, and we look forward to our third annual next year.

To find out more about Tommy Katona you can go to Facebook under Tommy Katona, Tommy’s website www.tommykatona.com, or the Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute Band he plays with www.voodooblue.net. To find out more about lessons and what Troubador Music has to offer, please check out our website at www.troubadormusic.com