Music legend inspires young artist

Opening for blues legend B.B. King was something musician Brock Stonefish never dreamed possible. It was only until it happened on March 11 at a sold-out show at the Mohican North Star Casino and Bingo in Wisconsin that he believed in it all.

"I can't even put it into words how I felt opening for B.B. King," said Stonefish, 21, "It's bigger than anything I could imagine. He is one of my musical influences."

It was an incredible opportunity for Stonefish of the Delaware First Nation in Ontario. King is considered one of music's most influential guitarists. Stonefish, who has been playing the guitar for 10 years, got the poster advertising him as the opening act signed by King and it now hangs in his living room.

"B.B. King said, and made it clear to me, that this was the first time he signed a poster that wasn't his."

But he'll always remember what King said to him after the show.

"He said I was going to have an interesting career. He told me 'God bless,' and I was going to have a long career ahead of me. It is more than I can ever expect. I have a lot more drive now to succeed in my music."

King recently celebrated his 80th birthday by bringing musicians, including Eric Clapton, Elton John and Sheryl Crow, together for a new album of duets. King recently won his 14th Grammy Award, making it his ninth time winning in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.

Stonefish first learned that there was a possibility that he would open for King when his brother Bruce called him in January at one a.m. and said the casino was interested. It was confirmed one month later. Stonefish prepared by playing his guitar at least three hours a day.

"I took it seriously. I practiced as much as I could, everyday. I forced myself. Some days I played at 11 p.m. until 4 a.m.," he said.

During the show, knowing that King was watching, Stonefish felt overwhelmed, but said he was ready. He also had his parents, two brothers, his best friend, and a few community members in the audience.

"On stage, I was thinking 'Don't mess up. Don't choke,'" said Stonefish.

Shortly after Stonefish performed, King took the stage and played. Stonefish was on a natural high.

"Blues music relaxes me and it is easy listening. It has a lot of feeling, similar to Native music. Not too many styles of music can produce that much feeling in it," said Stonefish.

Some audience members approached Stonefish and said they connected to his song about being a Native person moving from the reserve to the city.

"They never heard a song like it before. It's about making a variety of friends along the way. [Also] making fun of stereotypes people have of Native people," he said. "When I was 12, I moved from my reserve to a city. I learned to overcome the stereotypes." Stonefish now lives in Peterborough.

This whole musical experience has made Brock Stonefish more positive about himself and the things he can accomplish.

"Before all of this, I was writing songs and performing at open mikes. I was getting impatient and forgetting about my music. I was too deep into the partying life. Without the BB King experience, I could easily fall back into that," he said. "Now, I can see what I can do and I don't need that anymore. I know what I want."

A week later, Stonefish went to Winnipeg for an Aboriginal recording artist residency hosted by the Aboriginal Music Program of the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association. The one-week residency is for emerging to mid-career Aboriginal recording artist, and includes workshops in songwriting, recording, marketing, image, performance, touring and business.
"In Winnipeg, I played with Billy Joe Green, a Canadian Juno nominee," Stonefish said. "In two weeks, I was playing on the same stage with a Grammy winner and then an Aboriginal music award winner. I can't believe it."