Today we’d like to introduce you to Buddy Blues.
Hi Buddy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Beirut Lebanon. Times were difficult in Beirut during that time but my parents did their best to give us a good life. One of the things they were most adamant about was my brother and I learning and practicing a musical instrument.
I was 4 or 5 years old when they bought us a piano and hired a private tutor to come to teach us every Sunday morning. I had my first recital at the age of 6 and have been on stages since. By the age of 14, with the help of a family friend that ran a CD store, my brother and I were introduced to new-to-us music. Around that time, I had also realized that playing classical piano surely wasn’t the way to be the cool kid in school, and I had begun to develop a sort of obsession with electric guitars.
The building we lived in was 3 stories. We lived on the 1st floor, the 2nd floor was turned into a sort of dormitory for the students of the American University of Beirut, and my uncle and his family lived on the 3rd floor.
I can’t remember why I was on the second floor one day when I saw one of the students renting a room had the door slightly open and was playing along on the electric guitar to music I had never heard before. I didn’t knock. I ran towards the door, opened it, pointed at the student, and said: “That’s an electric guitar! would you teach me?!” The student looked at me perplexed and said: “Hi? I’m Ali Sleeq, and this is a bass”.
Ali was a great mentor to my brother and me. He introduced us to Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and most importantly for me, the Blues. Ali also taught me how to play guitar. He taught me what chords were, what the strings were, and how scales worked. He also taught and introduced my brother to the bass. We both then took it upon ourselves to continue learning our respective instruments and forming a band at the age of 15/16. We weren’t good, but looking back, this might have been some of the best times of my life.
I’ve since moved to Orlando, forming my band. I’ve headlined many Blues festivals across the United States and the world. In 2016, I released my first album “Wrong Side Of The Blues” which gained notable recognition, and I’m still proud of it. It was inevitable that I’d become a touring musician with my band, the Buddy Blues Band.
Hundreds upon hundreds of gigs later, cue 2020. The year the world stopped for many, especially musicians. I wanted to continue to express myself through the guitar, and the only way I could think of that would reach an audience was YouTube. That’s how I started my YouTube channel which has now become one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in regards to music.
My main focus with my channel quickly became geared towards showcasing the work, art, and craftsmanship of Small Businesses. My main show on the channel is called Small Business Tuesday, which looks at lesser-known brands in the music community that make killer products with pride from all over the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing has been smooth. But you keep your head up and do what must be done to achieve the goals that you set for yourself.
Am I the most successful YouTuber on earth? Absolutely not. But I’m having a heck of a good time making videos that showcase small businesses from all over the world.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Early is on time. On-time is late. And late is unacceptable.
Show up on time, show up dressed as if you’re getting married today, show up with proper manners, do the job whatever it may be with pride, and never once compromise your integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.buddybluesband.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/buddyblues
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/buddyblues
Image Credits
Kyle Miller @somewhat_creative_photo
