Background

Kenny Cordray is best known for having co-authored the song Francine that was relased on ZZ TOP's album Rio Grande Mud, as the first single. However there is great deal more to the Kenny Cordray story. Kenny was known as a prodigy guitarist dring the late sixties in Houston, Texas. In addition to being the lead guitarist of THE CHILDREN, who were at the time signed to the ATCO label, then later on ODE records produced by Lou Adler. Kenny also played with other notable musicians. Kenny could often be found making guest appearances with blues and rock legends. On one such occasion, Kenny shared the stage with blues-rock great John Mayall, John Lee Hooker, as well as ZZ TOP guitarist Billy Gibbons. Appearances like that developed Kenny's own legendary reputation. Kenny also had an opportunity to play with the great Jaco Pastorious and at Jaco's request, Kenny became a permanent member of the Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Rider band, featuring the legendary Jaco Pastorious and others who would later play with Tower of Power. During that time, Jaco was quoted as saying that Kenny Cordray was one of the greatest blues and rock players alive. While playing with the C.C. Riders, Kenny also had the opportunity to back up Jerry Lee Lewis on an episode of the Midnight Special and In Concert. Kenny also played with the band Skylark who relesed the hitsingle Wildflower with world renowned producer David Foster. Kenny then moved to New Orleans to play with former C. C. Riders and Edgar Winter's White Trash band members. It was there that he learned very valuable musical lessons. He then formed his own band named Cordray. Members included Clay Hemphill, David Lee Watson, Allyn Robinson, Mark Campbell, and Kenny Cordray. This was an exciting time for Kenny since it was a reunion of the Wayne Cochran and C.C. Rider rythm section. Tragically all of Kenny's guitars and equipment were stolen and the band soon went their separate ways. In the late seventies Kenny returned home to Houston. While on a hiatus from touring, Kenny performed with a number of very popular local bands including DURANGO 95, and HERSCHELL BERRY AND THE NATIVES. During this period of time Kenny was able to stay busy playing, writing songs, and establishing his family. In the late eighties, while Kenny was playing with SISTERS MORALES he met two musicians who were exactly what the doctor ordered. The rhythm section for COLD SWEAT was composed of DAVE FOSTER on bass guitar and TODD HARRISON on drums. In addition to playing with Kenny in that band, Dave and Todd were on the "A" list for session calls and gigs as well as veterans of the MONTREAUX JAZZ FESTIVAL. In early 1991 Kenny formed the Civilians and recorded a CD . He opened for CHEAP TRICK among others and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Three years later Kenny realized that it was time for him to re-emerge as a dominant force in Texas Guitar. The only rhythm section up to the job were Dave and Todd. In late 1992 KENNY CORDRAY, DAVE FOSTER, and TODD HARRISON formed a Texas Rockin Blues Psychedelic Power trio. They called themselves KENNY CORDRAY AND BLUE SCIENCE and recorded a CD entitled BLUE SCIENCE. In the winter of 1999 Kenny, Dave, and Todd recorded a live in the studio project entitled Kenny Cordray 2000.

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Music That Inspires Me

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Films I'll Watch More Than Once

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