Well before I go into my own tribute article here I wanted to say two things.
- Mr. Jason Simpson bass player for Colter Wall has died.
- If anyone wants to know the how,when and why, don’t look for that here. When my friends pass away I do not hole up and launch journalist inquiries and theories, Go elsewhere for that bullshit.
I really do love Colter Wall and his music means a lot to me and I will tell you why on here, however what most of them will not mention is the band he was a part of beforehand called John King and the Mud River Revival. I found them in my local Bowling Green Kentucky music community and my friends Kenneth and Mary Jo Marr, whom I met at the Outlaw Fest stuff that happened in 2014.
Muddy Roots started around 2010 and into 2013 I enjoyed an influx of those bands along with all of the local venues I went to because of Hank III and Shooter Jennings. Then I met the folks at Goose on the Lake and other places. I met Kenneth Marr who showed me a BUNCH of local bands like Black Stone Cherry (I myself am not a fan of them, but MUCH respect to them) , and these boys!
We had a conversation about income one night and he inspired me to become greater when I asked him if he thought it was ok to make an income writing articles about his music he said“Well, if you can pay a few bills with your art, you have already made it.” That truly did inspire me.
The four original guys Deen Collier played drums and he also has some really good metal music on streaming and you can go to Mellow Matts and buy his music and I don’t think Mr. Jason would it one damn bit if I made this article for other people’s music too. Because you know what? he was just as much of a fan of us as we are of him, and that’s how I feel. I still have his RSD set list from Mellow Matt’s from years ago with “Horse Face” and all that.
Mike Bulle was a lead guitar wizard man and along with John King they were a truly good band that I enjoyed seeing many times over. He did indeed break off and join Colter Wall’s band and travel all over with Colter.
I spent a lot of time and miles and money supporting them at places like Rib Lickers and Spillway bar and Grill and Tidball’s and so many other places I can name. I am a HUGE FAN of Colter Wall, but the Mud River Revival was just as amazing and if you haven’t already PLEASE go check them out.
He spent many years playing with Colter until just recently as he announced he is taking a mental health break. So I am not really sure what is going to transpire out of that situation and I will keep and eye on that situation.
He played bass on my buddy Big Dave Vaughn Linday’s album and he is super busy doing the beloved family thing and he lost a TON, none of us are wild like that anymore anyways, but man I had so many parties with these guys.
Jason was the first to join Colter Wall and played for a decade with them. This one is not about politics or feelings or past mistakes. This is about the fact that the world of music has been dealt a huge and hard blow last night. Thank you for texting me when I went into rehab myself and all of the support. Thank you for the memories and the music.
Thank you for always including me and accepting me. I’m just an ordinary guy with a media page where your music will never die.
