Have you ever sat and stared into a campfire, unable or unwilling to look away? Mesmerized by the dancing flames? Want to have that same feeling without the fire hazard? It’s an honor, and a pleasure to introduce a man to you, who although not totally new to the Evansville music scene, has been away from it for several years.
I venture to say the finest guitar player you’ve never heard of, but whom once you do hear, you won’t soon forget the name. Music fans, especially guitar nuts, will want to catch this guy, and local establishments should be looking to book him while they can; Evansville, meet Boscoe France, and his band, The Library Trio (Why the name, you ask? They practice in a Library in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Now that’s down home stuff).
Together since 2008, band members, Sean O’Brien on Bass, and Josh Lancaster (yeah ladies, he’s single) on drums provide the backbone and driving beat for Boscoe’s guitar wizardry. If you love good music, steeped in Blues, Allman Brothers/Southern Rock, with a dash of old school rock, or if you just love catching outstanding guitar work, then you NEED to check this guy out.
I stumbled upon Boscoe at a recent “Open Mic Night” at Lamasco. While still in the parking lot, I heard guitar playing that piqued my interest immediately.
Stepping into the open doorway, I didn’t even bother taking the time to locate a seat. To the strains of “Soulshine,” “Statesboro Blues” and “Key to the Highway,” I stood enchanted by the “flame” that is Boscoe’s guitar work. He plays with blistering speed and big passion, yet somehow makes it look almost easy. Maybe “natural” is a better word. From his first exposure to the guitar around the age of three, the instrument has been his driving force and in a hectic, and ever changing world, is the one constant in his life. His focus on family and down to Earth values were clearly apparent in a single response to my question about who his biggest influence has been as a guitar player – none of the big names here – without batting an eye, he replied: “My Uncle Duke” (Duke Madison, who passed away June 22, 2009).
He played briefly in Evansville as a teenager, and then an opportunity came his way to go out on the road, where he crewed for many country headliners, as a lighting tech and played in some opening acts on tours by people such as The Warren Brothers, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn.
Back home now in Madisonville, at age 33 there is genuine happiness now just being a Daddy to son Gabriel (six), and daughter Veda Sioux (ten months), and playing his guitar, where ever, and whenever he can find an audience. It is refreshing to watch him with his children. “I look at life as a clock, and these kids keep me right on time,” he says, in an honest and humble southern voice. “I love guitar more than just about anything, except my kids. People ask me why I’m not down in the Nashville scene; but my scene is where ever my kids are happy.” Another quote that touched my heart and illuminated his soul was while gazing at a photo I took of him and his son, Gabe at a recent practice session: “One day I hope I’m as cool as Gabriel.”
Following their initial set at Lamasco, the trio has been playing at the Open Mic Night at Doc’s Tavern, as well, where they brought down the house on April 8, in a performance that quickly resulted in a booking for his band by bar manager Crystal Gish-Simmons, on June 12 at Doc’s and a spot in the regular rotation there. The reaction to the trio’s music was clear and immediate. People were taking notice. Smiles all around, a guy waving his lighter, heads bobbing, toes tapping, people coming up to me asking where I found this guy. I tell them we found each other! I believe it’s Karma, and I believe in this guy! Check him out for yourself! It’s a treat for me to be able to add another name to my list of local favorite guitar players!
Beyond his obvious mastery of the guitar, Boscoe has the extra something that inspires me, moves me, and draws me like a moth to that flame. Not only is he one of the finest pure guitar players you’ll ever see or hear, he is a class act as a man and exudes a comfortable “down home” humility and a disarming easy going and quick sense of humor. He is aware of his God given talent, but is genuinely humble, and the type who would rather play for two people who truly came to hear the music than 400 whose priorities are elsewhere, and that’s simply the love of playing music shining through his soul! His life and his music live up to the lyrics and spirit of the great Warren Haynes tune, “Soulshine”; and that moves me! To see recent video of Boscoe in action, search You Tube for “Camruhman.”
Music lovers; get to an Open Mic Night, or put June 12 at Doc’s Tavern on your calendar. Area Bar/Club owners, get this guy booked while you can. You won’t regret it.
Thanks to my friend Bethel Steele for the inspiration! Her CD, Come Home was playing while gathering thoughts for this article (Check her out on iTunes).
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CREDIT | MARK McCOY
