This album is dedicated to an amazing person who so happened to play guitar. He was known by most as “The man with the Golden Thumb, with Extra Ordinary hearing”, also known by most to be afraid of his own shadow. Only through grace and his ability to play guitar was he able to find a peace of mind. His guitar provided him comfort and all the protection he needed, so he thought! It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, on Guitar, Mr. Anthony Shinault, born September 23 1944 in Brinkley Arkansas, his family moved with him to Saint Louis Missouri when he was a small child. At the age of 13 he met a guitar player named Bennie Smith who was around the age of 24 at that time. Bennie was considered to be one of the city’s patriarchs of electric blues. Bennie's sound was an emblematic of Saint Louis blues music that he helped define in over half a century. His contribution’s to the genre in that city, from the early 1950's and almost until the day of his death, included mentor, performers, and recording artist. Anthony has known Bennie over 40 years, and recalls when he first met him. Anthony was walking down the street playing his guitar, when Bennie was coming out of a house on Raymond Avenue in St. Louis Missouri when Bennie said to Anthony “Hey little boy where you going with that guitar?” as Bennie proceeded to get into his car, he rolled the window down and said “Get in the car! Little boy” Anthony was reluctant to get in, but eventually he did. Anthony recalls Bennie saying “I have been trying to play this guitar for the past six months and I can’t get any sound out of it.” Anthony turned his head and heard pluck, pluck, pluck and thought “this dude can’t play” Anthony then turned back around and heard Bennie playing “Hold It” by Bill Doggett. Bennie said “Now little boy what you wanna hear?” Anthony amazed and star struck was astounded and in awe. He appreciates Bennie for being the best mentor and guitar instructor a young player could ever have. You can hear Bennie’s guitar style in Anthony’s playing and Anthony’s developed guitar style through Bennie's playing. Anthony is an amazingly versatile musician. He can play in just about any style – from swing to bop to R&B to pop – with supreme taste, a beautiful rounded tone, and terrific seed, a marvelous sense of logic in building solos, and. always, and an unquenchable urge to swing. His inspirations include not only Bennie Smith also Charlie Christian and John Lesley Montgomery also known as Wes Montgomery. Not only can Anthony play lead brilliantly, he is also one of the best rhythm guitarists around. Anthony has had an outstanding career and now he can rest in peace. There is a book written about Anthony, his trials and tribulations, read it, and you too will agree his story is truly inspirational and amazing. Discography Albums: Taken care of Bizzness 2015 (CDV Recording Studios) Sessions: :”Live at the Longhorn Ranch” in Dallas Forthwith Texas with Ike and Tina Turner 1963 (Warner Brothers) “I wish I was a better man” in Toronto Canada with The Mother Load 1968 (Anaheim Records) “Live at Sahara Tahoe” in Tahoe Nevada with Isaac Hayes 1972 (Stax Records) “Joy” in Memphis Tennessee with Isaac Hayes 1973 (Stax Records) “Disco Shuffle” in Memphis Tennessee with Isaac Hayes 1973 (Stax Records) “Grooveathon” in Memphis Tennessee with Isaac Hayes 1975 (Stax Records) “Juicy Fruit” in Memphis Tennessee with Isaac Hayes 1975 (Hot Butter Soul Production) Movie Scores: “Three Tough Guys” featuring Fred Williamson with Isaac Hayes in Chicago Illinois 1973 (Stax Records) “Death Journey” featuring Fred Williamson in Los Angles California 1973