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What we're doing this weekend: JJ Grey

Rocky Mountain News

Published September 25, 2008 at 7 p.m.

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JJ Grey of JJ Grey & Mofro channels the "front porch soul" of his R&B heroes for a generation that might otherwise have trouble picking an Otis Redding song out of a lineup. He's also, as one would expect of a Florida native, a big college football fan, so when you University of Colorado kids check out his show at the Ogden on Saturday, don't be surprised to hear him represent for the Sunshine State. We caught up with the versatile multi-instrumentalist to get the lowdown on a typical pair of touring weekends.

* What did you do last weekend?

Woke up around 9 a.m. Friday in a trailer yard by Interstate 5 in Woodburn, Ore. One of the wheel bearings went out, so we had to stop and have it fixed. I replaced all the bearings myself at home earlier in the year, but logging 60,000-plus miles takes its toll no matter what you do.

Later I went to a Portland guitar shop called Old Town Music right beside the club. I used a friend's electric sitar on the song Move It On on the new album and had been looking for one for myself.

Lo and behold, they had a jim-dandy of an electric sitar in there, so I hit leather before someone else bought it. We played that night to a great crowd at Berbati's. Afterwards, I hung out in the club for a friendly argument over college football (SEC vs. PAC-10). Eventually, I dragged myself out to the bus to hit my bunk and go to sleep.

On Saturday, I woke up at the hotel in Seattle around 10:30 a.m. Quickly got a shower and then headed to KPLU radio to do a performance/interview.

Afterwards I went down to The Silver Platter record store to play a mini acoustic set. The store was great, and I ended up buying a bunch of DVDs (including The Thin Red Line, one of my favorite films of all time). Got to the venue Neumo's just in time for load-in and sound check.

The show went off that night, and the sound on stage was phenomenal. Afterwards I had a beer or two and hung out in the club till they kicked everyone out. I got on the bus and, much to the chagrin of those around, debated college football with a friend of our sound engineer till 4 a.m. More SEC vs. PAC-10 vs. Big 10 stuff.

Sunday was kind of a rainy day, so I watched all my movies and caught up on some work.

* What do you have going on this weekend?

Today I plan on going through Salt Lake City and hitting the Red Iguana, which is the best Mexican restaurant I've eaten at.

After that, I'm going to hook up with my man DJ Helmet at KBER for some radio mayhem, and then we'll have to high-tail it up to Park City for the show at Harry-O's. On Saturday, I want to get to Denver early so I can go see my (ear, nose and throat) doctor for a quick checkup.

My voice feels great, but I like to have my ears and all checked at least once a year. The last time we played at the Ogden it was insane, a great room and a super jacked-up crowd, so we're looking forward to getting back there. We've been lucky to have the Hill Country Revue playing with us this whole tour, and I know that I'll get to see their whole set tonight. Luther [Dickinson, fresh off a tour with the Black Crowes - ed.] sat in with them in San Francisco, and I hear he'll be hanging in Denver. It's going to be fun. BTW, Colorado vs. Florida State in Tally, GO NOLES!

Check out JJ Grey and Mofro with the North Mississippi Allstars and the Hill Country Revue, 9 p.m. Saturday at the Ogden Theatre. Tickets are $20, 16 and older only. Call 303-830-8497 for more information.