BluesFolks.com

The WoodGrain consumes legendary amounts of booze… would any of you ever consider going to rehab?-Amber Philadelphia Pa.
Franky Fernando: Rehab’s for quitters!
Joey Black: Is there a bar there…?
Mr.Nate: No! I’ll drink myself to death first!
If your band could play anywhere, where would it be?-Dedra Lewisville Tx.
Brak: Austin City Limits
Franky Fernando: Woodstock baby! Unless you’re talkin’ serious…in which case… anywhere in Amsterdam!
Kunkle Whitebread: Hillsboro Ks., or either Fillmore… east or west. How ’bout a Jim Beam distillary…
Mr. Nate: WoodStock, the first one…
Joey Black: Inside the ocean, in a submarine, near the bottom of the Marianna Trench… or Figi…
What was the first song you ever wrote and why?-Sherrey Plano Tx.
Joey Black: Well, I know that the first song Mr. Nate EVER wrote was “Blackwater (Hide what I done)” & he taught it to me pretty early on. It’s about ditchin’ your old lady’s dead body in a river… so… one can only guess why he came up with it. Uh… as a complete group the first original that came together for us was “Come Back Soon”. I wrote it one day after my wife left for work & her perfume lingered in the air making me miss her. It’s a good, sexy tune.
How long has Joey Black been playing the guitar?-Cindy Cleburne Tx.
Joey Black: All together about 18 years, but playing seriously… about half that time.
What are some interesting trivia facts the fans of The WoodGrain would like to know about the band?-Ashley Carrollton Tx.
Kunkle Whitebread: How LITTLE time we spend on our hair…?
Joey Black: Uh… I watch some total chick shows on TV with my wife. Ugly Betty & Desparate Housewives to name a couple.
Mr. Nate: I can build musical instruments…
Franky Fernando: All of our music is raw, uncut emotion…
How many original songs does The WoodGrain have?-Cynthia Arlington Tx.
Joey Black: Thirteen…? I think… Sweet Elijah, I Don’t Give A Fuck, In the Doorway, Blackwater, I Don’t
Like the Blues, Walkin’ Into the Rain, New Boogeyman Blues, Cranberry Juice, Come Back Soon, Highs been Low, Black Shoes Brown Hat, Buyou, & Stay Down ’til ya Come Up
What artists have the greatest influence on each of the band members?- Ashley Carrollton Tx.
Franky Fernando: Micheal Shrieve, Chad Smith, Quest Love, & Buddy Berry
Joey Black: Well, I’m fanatical about Jimi Hendrix, but with regards to THIS band…my greatest influence has definitly been Mr. Nate.
Kunkle Whitebread: Waylon Jennings & Mickey Rapheal, Willy’s harmonica player.
Mr.Nate: All ’60’s R & B… uh Rye Cooter, Taj Mahal…
Brak: Townes Van Zant, Steve Earl, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Beck, Willy & the boys… old rock & roll… new shite… a little of everything I’ve ever heard…
Where do babies come from?-Scott Carrollton Tx.
Joey Black & Mr. Nate: From gettin’ fucked up with your girl at a WoodGrain show… we hope!
How do you think fatherhood affects being a rocknroller?-D.Z. Fort Scott Ks.
Franky Fernando: It doesn’t. You gotta keep’em separated.
Joey Black: I try to keep my family life separate from my rocknroll life, but as my son gets older it has been nice to him come to a couple of shows & help out. He’s old enough now to kind of know the score, & as much passion as I have for playing mucic in The WoodGrain, spending quality time with my son is my real passion. I live to watch him play sports!

BlueNote: We’re here with the harmonica player for one of Dfw’s fastest rising mucical acts. It’s Kunkle Whitebread of The WoodGrain. Alrite, how did you gravitate towards playin’ the harmonica?

Kunkle Whitebread: Kind of a chance thing… Tried a cheap harp a buddy had at a party & was hooked. Been at it ever since. Just kinda picked it up & went. You know…?
BN: Yea…yea…a chance encounter. Blowin’ harp isn’t the only thing you contribute to WoodGrain onstage. Expound on your role(s) in the band on & off stage.
K.W.: On stage I just try to add another dynamic with either the backing vocals, noise makers, or on the horns (harmonica). Just puttin’ bricks in our wall of sound…
BN: “Bricks in the wall of sound”…I like that. Next question, who are your personal musical influences, harmonica players & otherwise?
K.W. On the harp it’s gotta be Mickey Rapheal…Willy’s guy. He just has this great tone. But also you got Lil Walter, Sonny Terry, & Elwood Blues. Just music wise it’s all over the chart, but the Stones, Waylon Jennings, Chris Ledoux, Jimi, & Zepplin are all up there around the top of things. Love good music.
BN: Good music…thats what we’re here for… Most bands start out aiming for a younger audience with delusions of super-stardom & a sense of financial entitlement. The WoodGrain has gained alot of momentum with what seems like an opposite approach. Please explain that approach, & why you think it’s been so effective for you guys.
K.W.: Yeah, I don’t know really… We just kinda saddle’d our ponys & rode. Never been much of a plan except to make folks have a good time. These days it’s tough all around & we just a bunch of guys tryin’ to give a reason to dance & smile. Hell…who needs money! I drink cheap beer anyway…
BN: Right on bro… Last question… What’s your one & only favorite song? By whom…?
K.W.: “Every Time I Roll the Dice”… Delbert McClinton. Song just makes my ‘get up & go’ get to ‘gettin” … you know…
BN: Great song! Good interview man, thanks.
K.W.: You too man…