Susan Tedeschi has spent the past decade establishing herself as one the top performers on the roots music circuit. Her last album, 2008's excellent "Back to the River" went to No. 1 on Billboard's Top Blues album survey and crossed over into the pop charts. Tedeschi's an expressive soul singer, solid songwriter and ace guitarist.
When she performed at Jannus Landing Courtyard in St. Petersburg in 2007 the svelte performer delivered a sizzling set of vintage rhythm and blues. In December of 2008, Tedeschi and her guitar hero husband Derek Trucks, Allman Brothers Band member and leader of his own band, were in top form with their Soul Stew Revival outfit at a sold-out Tampa Theatre.
On June 5 and 6, Tedeschi and Trucks perform at the Wanee Music Festival at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. The Allman Brothers Band headlines along with Gov't Mule, The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy and dozen of other jam band and Americana acts such as Umphrey's McGee and Drive-By Truckers. Click here for the complete lineup.
Tedeschi performs from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Saturday, June 6 on the Peach Stage. She recently called from her home in Jacksonville to discuss, among other things, balancing music and motherhood. She and Derek have a son Charles (born in 2002) and daughter Sophia (born in 2004).
Will you and Derek perform with your own bands at Wanee or will you be presenting the Soul Stew Revival collaboration?
Actually, this the first time I get to play with my own band. I'll probably sit in with Derek. Honestly, he's been too busy with the Allman Brothers and his own band and I have been too busy with my own band - and the kids - to prepare Soul Stew Revival. We're both going 100 miles per hour!
It's seems like you and Derek are always going at high speed.
We are. [Laughs]. I don't know what's the matter with us. We just feel lucky to do what we do.
Live Oak is pretty close to your home. The entire Allman Brothers Band extended family is on the roster. This has to be one of your favorite annual gigs.
Oh yeah. It's really peaceful, really beautiful, a really nice setting and such a good feeling. Talk about extended family. Everyone is there. It's great. We all have our kids with us.
On last year's "Back to the River" you recorded a couple songs written with Derek. How does that work?
Usually I've pretty much written the song and Derek says, "Stop, this needs something." He's so quick and on the fly, coming up with things and revising. I always like his input.
You front your own band, cofront the Soul Stew Revival, and put out a new album about once a year. Plus, you have two young children. What's the key to keeping everything together?
One, a really strong passion and love of what I do. Two, a really great family base that allows me to pick up leave if I have to. And three, I don't do as much touring as Derek but when I do, I have his mother, and brother and sister-in-law to help out with the kids. Without them, I don't know how I would do it. They are really a blessing. I also do a lot of organizing between my schedule and working with Derek's management, my manager, finding out who's where and when. I actually have the complete rest of the year planned out.
So you are more of the planner than Derek?
Oh yeah! Derek doesn't know where he is tomorrow [laughs]. But he's organized in other ways: as a bandleader, putting projects together, calling people to do things. Other people will sit and talk about doing things. With Derek, it's bam, in motion. It's really good that we all have our strengths. He'll be like, "Honey, can you mail this off?" We work together.
Will the children watch you perform from the side of the stage at Wanee?
Maybe, depends on their attention span. They like to look at the little hippie stores and the kids' activities. But, yeah, they can be seen on the side of the stage dancing - or eating.
Do the children usually go on the road?
They've been on tour since they were born. They are more well-traveled than most adults. They've been doing it so long it's their routine. My kids are used to bathing and reading on the [tour bus] and being up late.
Has either of your children picked up an instrument yet?
Sophia writes more songs than either me or Derek do! She plays guitar and gets a blister and says, "Look, dad, I have a blister like you." She's our little entertainer. Charlie is more into baseball and basketball and playing golf. He's more outdoorsy, which I think is great. But they both love animals and love doing things together, too.
It seems not a week goes by when one or both of you is not on tour. What, other than music, do you and Derek do for fun?
We go to the beach, go fishing, take bike rides, or play basketball. When I first met him, we used to play one-on-one basketball. His dad would crack up.
