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  • LEGEND'S CORNER: Nate Watts - The Wonder of it All!



    Nate Watts

    Our featured bass legend this month is Nate Watts who, as Stevie Wonder's bass man for over thirty years, has been on the cutting edge of soul, blues, funk, and pop. Thunder Row is pleased to present the following interview, as well as this introduction from our friends at Bass Player Magazine:

    "Born in Detroit on March 25, 1954, Nathan Lamar Watts was raised an only child on the city’s gritty west side. Inspired by jazz great Lee Morgan, he took up trumpet in elementary school, forming a trio with friends and fellow future session stars Ollie Brown on drums and Ray Parker Jr. on clarinet.

    When he wasn’t in school, Nathan would stroll over to Motown’s Hitsville Studios to watch through the basement window as the Funk Brothers worked their magic. Another passion was the rock & roll of Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Rare Earth, Mahogany Rush, and Steppenwolf, many of whom played at the nearby Grande Ballroom—“a rock club in the middle of the ghetto.” When Parker Jr. switched to guitar, he and Brown encouraged Watts to pick up bass so they could remain a trio. Nathan made the switch around the time he graduated from Northwestern High School, when he bought a National Bass from Montgomery Ward.

    Watts learned his first bass line, James Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” and began soaking up the influence of Motor City heavies like James Jamerson, Tony Newton, and Bob Babbitt. (“You had to know Babbitt’s bass solo from [Dennis Coffey’s] ‘Scorpio’ to work in Detroit.”) By then, Parker had moved on to join Marvin Gaye’s band, so Nathan joined a local group called the Final Decision. As a backup plan, he went to school to study accounting.

    That would all change on a sunny August day in 1974, when his mom yelled down the street to tell him he had a call from Stevie Wonder’s office..." Bass Player Magazine

    Thunder Row: When and why did you start playing bass?
    Nate Watts: It was after I got out of high school. My friend Ray Parker Jr. suggested that I play bass so we could start a 3-piece band like Hendricks.

    Thunder Row: Was the bass your first choice as an instrument?
    Nate Watts: No. That was trumpet, but I never got past 2nd chair.

    Thunder Row: Herb Albert can breathe easy. Is there a bassist or other musician you look to as a mentor?
    Nate Watts: Yes. James Jamerson (Motown Detroit)

    NOTE: James Jamerson is a bassist you should know.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEs0H5Q935g

    Thunder Row:: What was your most memorable gig?
    Nate Watts: It was in Prague in the Czech Republic. There's nothing quite like hearing 250.000 fans cheer when your name is announced!

    Thunder Row: I'll take your word for it. I'd be happy if my kids cheered when I come home from work! What would be the ideal gig, as far as you're concerned?
    Nate Watts: The one I have with Steve. Travel the world and unlimited music for 40 years! Now THAT'S a gig!

    Thunder Row: You've certainly had a front-row seat to musical history in the making. Speaking of history, what was your first bass?
    Nate Watts: My first bass was a hollow-body Greco with feedback issues. So I got a National solid body short scale.

    Thunder Row: Which brings us to your first paid gig.
    Nate Watts: My first paying gig was with a big band with Kusuko Mafia aka Norris Patterson in Detroit.

    Thunder Row:The first of many musicians you've backed. What musician (not necessarily bassist) do you admire most, and why?
    Nate Watts: Hmm. I'd have to say Marvin Gaye. He was so smooth, vocally, and raw, all at the same time.

    Thunder Row: Okay, now can we get you to go out on a limb and tell us who you regrad as the greatest bassist ever?
    Nate Watts: I'm not going out on that limb...there are just too many.

    Thunder Row: Fair enough. Playing with guys like Stevie and Paul McCartney, you've experienced just about all possible musical styles. If you could only play one kind of music, what would it be?
    Nate Watts: I could never limit myself to just one kind of music. I love variety.

    Thunder Row: You've reached a level of maturity, shall we say, where people - young musicians - look to you for advice. What's the best professional advice anyone ever gave you?
    Nate Watts: 'Your business is not everyone’s business. Levi Stubbs – 4 Tops.'

    Thunder Row: That's something to chew on. How about the best personal advice anyone ever gave you?
    Nate Watts: 'Don’t let anyone detour you from your goals.' (My Father).

    Thunder Row: If you couldn't be a musician, what would you be?
    Nate Watts: Man, I’ve been playing an instrument since I was 7 yrs old. There is nothing I like better. I can't imagine anything else.

    Thunder Row: Which bassist do you think is the best vocalist?
    Nate Watts: I'd have to say Sting.

    Thunder Row: Describe the perfect combination of equipment for:
    The studio: Hartke combo
    The stage: Hartke ½ Paper cone
    Rehearsal: Hartke Harte

    Thunder Row: How about strings, do you have a preference?
    Nate Watts: Yeah, I Elixer. Great sound.

    Thunder Row: Over the last forty years you must have been around the world ten or twelve times. What's the most exotic or interesting place you've ever played?
    Nate Watts: Marbella, Spain. Loved that.

    Thunder Row: If you could play with any drummer in the world (past or present), who would it be?
    Nate Watts: John Bonham. His feel on records is amazing.

    Thunder Row: At this stage in your career, what do you know now that you wish you'd known when you were first starting out?
    Nate Watts: They call it the Music Business for a reason. Most musicians only relate to the music part. I wish I'd been more knowledgeable about the business side of things.

    Thunder Row: Do you have a favorite charity, why, and what do you do for them?
    Nate Watts: Not a favorite, no. But the gig when did for the Robin Hood Foundation in June raised $87,808.00.

    Thunder Row: Tell us about your worst gig.
    Nate Watts: My orange amp blew up. That wasn't fun.

    Thunder Row: What is your favorite song?
    Nate Watts: How High The Moon.

    NOTE: Check out June Christy, Nat King Cole, and Mel Torme on this timeless number! Also look up the same number by Ella Fitzgerald or the Manhatten Transfer. Ed.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvfNsZaDk-A&feature=related

    Thunder Row: I love that song. A real classic. What's the best bass tip anyone ever gave you?
    Nate Watts: Larry Graham, 1975 Human Kindness Day. 'Keep going, you're going to be good.'

    Thunder Row: I guess time's proved him right. If you could relive one day of your life, what day would it be?
    Nate Watts: I don't think like that. I love each day I’m here.

    Thunder Row: Certainly a lot to be said for that philosophy. At the moment, you share the world with a lot of bass players. On a scale of 1 - 10, where do you rate yourself among them?
    Nate Watts: Someone told me I’m the second most listened too bass player next to Paul McCartney. So...

    Thunder Row: Can't argue your musical pedigree. Let's get a little philosophical, if you don't mind: what do you hope to achieve in your life?
    Nate Watts: I want to acquire knowledge - in music and otherwise - and pass it along.

    Thunder Row: That's an admirable ambition. Keeping to the theme, if you could write your own epitaph, what would it be?
    Nate Watts: 'He Played Bass.'

    Thunder Row: That would save a lot on engraving. Speaking of being alone, what kind of music do you listen to when there's no one else around?
    Nate Watts: Classical.

    Thunder Row: Let me toss another gem at you. Who do you think is the greatest person in history, and why?
    Nate Watts: It's God! Why? We're still here!

    Thunder Row: Well, you set a high standard! How about the greatest musician of all time?
    Nate Watts: God! Need I answer?

    Thunder Row: You can't argue that He gave us a musical universe. Whom do you regard as the greatest composer of all time and why?
    Nate Watts: Same answer. He gave us eight notes, some sharps and flats, and the imagination to make music with them!

    Thunder Row: Looking back, what teacher had the most positive impact on your life, and why?
    Nate Watts: Mr. Banta at (Angel Elementary). He told us when we were kids, 'You can be great. Don’t give up. Don't give in.'

    Thunder Row: Wisdom we can all take to heart.Tell us some of the musicians/singers you've performed with.
    Nate Watts: The list is too long for this space. Your readers will have to visit my website; NateWatts.com.

    Thunder Row: What would you like Thunder Row visitors to know about you?
    Nate Watts: I worked hard to get where I am, and I love what I do!

    Nate Watts received the International Bassist Award, 2010. (IBA - sponsored by Hartke). This special award was presented by Samson Vice President, Operations, Jack Knight and bassist Victor Wooten on Friday night during the 2010 NAMM Convention in Anaheim CA. The event included an evening of extraordinary musicians and featured hit songs that Nathan has produced, recorded and played on during his 32 year career as Stevie Wonders sideman and musical director.

    CEO and President of Samson, Scott Goodman gave Nate a wonderful introduction. Stevie Wonder then opened the evening ranting Nate’s name, got the party started and segued into the opening song “I Wish”. During the show Nathan was accompanied on stage by Stevie’s full band, featuring the talent of bassists Marcus Miller and Stu Hamm, lifelong friends guitarist Ray Parker Jr. and drummer Ollie Brown . Guest appearances followed by Byron Miller, Ndugu Chancler, “Ready” Freddie Washington, J.D. DeServio, Vincent Bonham and sax man Mike Phillips.

    rest of Nate's story go to http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/nathan-wattss-wonderful/mar-06/18890
    or
    http://www.bassplayer.com/article/na...l/mar-06/18890
    or
    http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2010/02...bassist-award/

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH1BPQ7FLbc&feature=related

    And for those of you who stayed with us, Ralph has a little surprise:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05MA0kKRdtE
    Comments 8 Comments
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Another great articcle!! The Thunder under Stevie Wonder!! Yow!!
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Great article, Thanks!!!
    1. JeffB's Avatar
      JeffB -
      yup them was great questions, seemed he enjoyed participating too! Keep them coming
    1. coachkip's Avatar
      coachkip -
      I am surprised no one has picked up on the Easter Egg that Ralph left at the end of the article.
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Lawdy. How could I have missed it!!! :::applause::::

      FAAAAAAAAAAAANTASTIC!!!

    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by coachkip View Post
      I am surprised no one has picked up on the Easter Egg that Ralph left at the end of the article.
      I must have been asleep when I read the article the first time. How I missed Ralph's gift to us is unexplainable. Sorry Ralph, I know you are always looking out for us on Thunder Row and at TMBG. Way to go ED, you were great!!!
    1. TLDTR's Avatar
      TLDTR -
      You are all most gracious. Ralph is in the doghouse...
      Ed.
    1. Roy's Avatar
      Roy -
      He's a true Renaissance Man! My favorite recording of Nathan Watts is on the Natural Wonder CD. Stevie's band with world class symphony orchestras in Japan and Israel and Music Director Nathan steering the band with some amazing and tasty bass work.
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