You would think a music legend would have the right to an air of superiority. But not Jimmy D. Lane–and maybe that has to do with his love for the blues. Having played with the likes of Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Van Morrison and so many more of the greats, his talents continue to keep rocking out in today’s music scene.  Join 303 Magazine and the Colorado Blues Society on Feb 13 at the City Hall venue and then on the 14th at the Riveria at the Breakers Resort to see Jimmy play live. There will also be a VIP Meet and Greet, so if you’re a lover of music or a Blues fanatic, you (and possibly your Valentine’s date) can dance the night away with your true love–legendary and good music.

Grab your tickets here before they sell out!

We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Jimmy about what Blues means to him, some of his favorite memories, and what you can expect from his show. You can check out his website here to start putting you in the mood before the big weekend.

303 Magazine: What’s one of your first memories of music?

Well, that was a long time ago, I always listened to music around the house. I didn’t start to actually play until I was about 8 or 9 years old. I didn’t get serious or call myself a professional until later, around 19 or 21 I got serious about it.

Who is your favorite artist and what genre do you prefer?

So many different people—I got my father, Jimmy Rogers, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters. They were all real musicians and I liked their sound. And I like Blues because that’s where I come from, but I listen to a lot of different music—I even listen classical sometimes, when I’m driving after a gig to relax. But I would say blues is the favorite.

How has playing the Blues impacted your own life?

It’s right in line with my life; it’s a real form of music, real to the heart–there’s no bullshit about that. There’s no non-sense in blues, and there’s real expression. It’s impacted my life in a positive way, and besides the point, it’s my living as well as my life line. I would say my style is Blues mixed with a lot of other influence of things—primarily rock. And it’s the realism and feeling is what I most connect with.

What can the audience expect from your show? Jimmy D. Lane- 303 Magazine

We are gonna have fun—take em’ from southside of Chicago to westside of Chicago then bring em’ up and let em’ dance, then let them sit back and listen. They can expect a good rocking show.

What would be your perfect Valentine’s Day

Well, it would be spending it with my wife, but I’m going to be in Denver that day so if I couldn’t be with my wife, then I would definitely enjoy being in front of an audience who are enjoying the music we are playing.

What has been one of your most memorable shows?

A show I did with my father, many years ago. We were playing in Europe and the whole audience starting singing “Walking By Myself,” and there were about ten to twenty thousand people out there. They sang in English, along with him. So that was one of my most memorable moments.

Where would you like to play next and headline with?

That’s a good question because there’s so many places I haven’t played still. I guess I would have to say Japan. I was on my way to Japan when my father passed away, we had a tour lined up and I’ve never had the chance to play there. I would like to experience that culture and play there. I don’t know if I would want to headline it, but I would definitely like to do another show with my father, Jimmy Rogers.

You’re originally from Chicago, do you think growing and living there influenced you musically? 

Definitely, being born and raised in Chicago, being around all those guys that raised me in blues, learning not only musical lessons but also life lessons from there—it’s been a very big influence on me personally and musically. The atmosphere of Chicago certainly has an effect on your mentality and the way you think about things for the rest of your life.

What is one of the most important aspects in playing blues music?Jimmy

Keeping it real. Remembering that notes are expensive, so spend them sparingly. You don’t have to play every note you that know to say what you need to say. Learn to say more with less—and keep it real.

What’s one your favorite songs that you’ve played and why?

I would say “Hey Joe,” because it was the reason why I bought a guitar in the first place, it was one of the first songs I taught myself to play, actually. I heard that song in a special way when I was up in military, laying in my bed, trying to figure out what to do next, and the song came on. For whatever reason, I heard it in a certain way that day, can’t really explain it really. I immediately ran out and went to a pawn shop right off Kings Drive, the one that is in the first Blues Brother movie, and I bought my first guitar—and that song is the reason I bought it.

What’s a piece of advice about music that has stuck with you?

One that comes to mind is what James Cotton said to me when I was a very young man when he saw I had an interest in playing. I think we were at a rehearsal, my father was there and they were recording for an album. When they stopped, I picked up my old man’s guitar and James Cotton heard something. He said to me, Son, nobody is gonna give it to you. You have to get it yourself. You got a sound to ya, and you got to stay with that sound, keep doing what you doing and you’ll be alright.

Those words stuck with me from that date until this date. And it was very good advice—don’t worry about outside distractions, don’t try to be too fancy, don’t overstep, cover the ground you walk on and keep on walking.

About the events:

Main Event:
Saturday, February 13th, 2016
8pm: Zakk DeBono
9pm: Legendary musician Jimmy D. Lane
Venue: City Hall- 1144 Broadway, Denver, 80203

VIP Meet & Greet Event:
Sunday, February 14th, 2016- Valentines Day
5pm: Meet & Greet with legendary musician Jimmy D. Lane
6pm: Special performance by Jimmy D. Lane
Venue: Riviera At The Breakers Resort- 9099 E. Mississippi Ave, Denver, 80247

Click for more information and to RSVP your tickets