Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack  (with Dave Matthews Band)
American Airlines Center
Dallas, TX


I Believe (When I Fall In Love) - 7/18/03

If there was only two traits that came through in my music, I would hope that it would seem to be effortless and inevitable.
The Kind Place Studio

Bill Trotter Music
Current Band is DREAM MOTEL
Various music I've been fortunate to create with many great musicians

Doyle Bramhall II stands as one of the most distinctive vocalists, guitarists, composers and producers in contemporary music. Eric Clapton, with whom Bramhall II has collaborated for more than a decade, cites the guitarist as one of the most gifted players he has ever encountered. 

Bramhall II was raised in a home filled with the blues and rock & roll sounds that are indigenous to Texas; the state of his birth. His father, Doyle Bramhall, played drums for blues legends Lightning Hopkins and Freddie King and was also an accomplished songwriter and vocalist. Bramhall was a life long collaborator with childhood friends, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, composing such signature classics as “Change It” and “Life By The Drop”.

When Doyle was 18, he was recruited by Jimmie Vaughan to play with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Bramhall II’s reputation blossomed and two years later, he co-founded the Arc Angels with Charlie Sexton and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section; Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon. Their self-titled debut album, fueled by such popular songs as “Living In A Dream” and “Sent By Angels” enjoyed wide success. 

In the aftermath of two critically acclaimed solo albums Jellycream and Welcome, Bramhall II's unparalleled skills as guitarist won the attention of both Eric Clapton and Roger Waters. Waters showcased the guitarist on his In The Flesh tour and accompanying album. Eric Clapton featured Bramhall II’s songs and guitar work as part of Riding With The King, his Grammy winning project with B.B. King. Clapton then recruited Bramhall II to join him on a full time basis and their association flourished. The guitarist toured with Clapton throughout the world and their dramatic interplay thrilled fans and immediately drew comparisons to past triumphs such as Derek & The Dominoes. Bramhall II’s distinctive guitar work—he is a left handed player who plays a right handed strung guitar flipped upside down—left an indelible mark on Clapton albums such as Me And Mr. Johnson and Searching For Robert J. Both projects were highlighted by Bramhall II and Clapton stirring duets in the same Dallas room where Robert Johnson had originally recorded his legendary songs in 1937. Bramhall II songwriting prowess would also be featured as part of Reptile, Back Home and Road To Escondido. He would next co-produce Clapton’s two most recent albums, Clapton and 2013's Old Sock. 

In addition to Clapton, Bramhall II has been in demand as composer, guitarist and producer, collaborating with such as artists as Sheryl Crow, Tedeschi Trucks, Elton John, Questlove, Gary Clark Jr., Erykah Badu, Gregg Allman, Robert Randolph, T-Bone Burnett, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dr. John and many others. Bramhall has produced several records, including Crow's popular 100 Miles From Memphis.

Bramhall II is now completing his much anticipated fourth solo album, launching the next chapter in an extraordinary musical journey. 

All tracks  are recorded in a spontaneous manner typically in a single take. Most lyrics are also spontaneous improvisations derived from the feelings of the moment. We let the guitar and drums interact and the music just happens. Most if not all of the music is inspired from this interaction.

The recording equipment up until January 2019 consisted of a dated Fostex 8 track and a few microphones...We simply lay down a guitar and drum track and let it unfold the way you are hearing it by bouncing tracks. We just have to make music to live. Music of any kind, music that speaks for itself... 

In January 2019 recording equipment was upgraded to Logic X and a UA Apollo MKll Quad Core Recording interface...We entered a new building and still trying to find the light switch so bare with us as we keep lighting matches...  

MW