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No Friendly Giant sidekick, perhaps even a giant in his own right, Rusty Reed is nobody's puppet.
Master of the blues harmonica - hence his name, man - in the tradition of James Cotton and other harp-huffing greats whose names escape us at the moment, Reed has been a fixture on Edmonton's blues scene for more than 14 years. It's come to the point that you can't say "blues harp" in the "Big Onion" without thinking of "Rusty Reed." The red hair helps, too. Along the way, he's won two Juno Awards and the respect of his peers throughout the Canadian blues scene - oh, what magic can be wrought with three notes on a tiny, squealing metal box! - not to mention the envy of musicians who foolishly chose the tuba.
"I started to play the harp 'cause my drum set was too much to carry around," Rusty said once.
Also a good move musically, as it turns out. The 39-year-old devoted father of two is rarely out of work, either on stage or in the studio. Once again he's part of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival house band, peeping out blues harp solos with a variety of ringers in Gallagher Park all this weekend. Here's a look at the mind of the man behind the mouth behind the harp:
1. What was the last movie that you saw and loved?
Oh, God, I don't watch movies. But I did see The Family Man. It was all right.
2. What was the first album you owned?
Oof, that's embarrassing. The Partridge Family. But I ended up getting hip that it was garbage, so I burned it in my backyard. I wanted to see what would happen when I burned vinyl.
3. What was the last book you read?
Prisons We Choose To Live In, by Doris Lessing.
4. What's your favourite hangout?
Capital Hill Pub.
5. Do you have a pet peeve?
Yeah, blues nazis - the type of people who think that if it ain't Chicago like the way the legends played it, it isn't the blues. My approach to the blues is taking it a step further.
6. What's your idea of the perfect Sunday?
The Edmonton Sun, with a cappuccino, on a beach with my kids and my darling wife, Ma Reed.
7. What's your favourite food?
Really rare tenderloin.
8. What was the worst job you ever had?
I was a dishwasher in Canterbury Court.
9. What gadget or gizmo can you not live without?
Probably I'd have to say my cellphone. I can live without the sex toys.
10. Do you have a hobby or habit that you think would surprise people?
Gardening.
11. What's your favourite piece of clothing?
I hate clothes. The less the better. But I guess I'd have to say my bandanas.
12. What would you change about yourself if you could?
Be more patient with the blues nazis.
13. Whom do you most admire?
My kids.
14. What is your greatest extravagance?
This big old blue bus I have. It looks like it's worth $1,000, but it's worth about $50,000. It's the ultimate touring machine for a blues band. It's got everything from a full shower to satellite TV, and all done in cedar.
15. Have you ever been mistaken for another celebrity?
Paul Newman, if you can believe it.
16. Do you have a favourite quotation?
"If there is a God, he's got a bad sense of humour."
17. What is your greatest weakness?
Girls.
18. If you could be reincarnated, who or what would you like to be?
Probably a hawk or an eagle. They get what they want.
19. If you had to go back in time to live in another decade, which one would you choose?
The '20s or '30s. That era was where some of the best music happened. There will never be such a productive era again.
20. If you had the power to bring anybody back to life, who would it be?
Little Walter. He was the king of the blues harmonica. Every time I step on stage I try to bring him back to life. He was the guy who electrified blues harmonica. One of the first, anyway.