If you attended a festival this summer, Roosevelt Collier well may have joined your favorite band on stage to add his steel pedal talents.
Collier, a Miami native, who first gained renown with uncles and cousins in The Lee Boys, spent hours driving in his car to jam with his peers and still has plenty of musicians he wishes to join forces with.
Jambands.com reached a vacationing Collier in Orlando via telephone to discuss his busy summer, upcoming plans, church upbringing and musical family: The Lee Boys.
Can you talk about what this summer has been like for you?
This summer has been amazing. It’s been great and I’m looking forward to bigger and better things to come. I put in a lot of road hours driving up and down the highway to get to some of these festivals. I was the artist at-large for both Summer Camp and All Good Festival. I was able to play with some amazing musicians and bands: John Butler Trio, Leftover Salmon,Victor Wooten, North Mississippi Allstars just to name a few.
What is the hardest part and the easiest part about sitting in with a band?
The hardest part is getting tuned up – making sure my stuff is in tune before I play. The easiest part is jamming. It’s all about that moment and everyone is excited to see what’s going to happen.
How does a sitting in with a band come to fruition? Does the band come to you, do you approach them?
It goes both ways. A lot of these folks are my friends, so it’s all love. A lot of times, they have heard of me and they ask me or if I’ve see some really cool band that I haven’t played with, I’ll ask them.
What bands are on your wish list?
Phish, Panic, Dave Matthews, Zac Brown, Robert Randolph, and I’m dying to play with Buddy Guy.
On Nov. 5 at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami, you’re teaming up with the Bobby Lee Rodgers Band to open for Widespread Panic.
Yeah man, I’m stoked – that’s my hometown. I’m looking forward to it. In that short time frame, we’re going to give it our all. I love playing with Bobby Lee Rodgers. We are more like family. I have no idea what tricks we are going to pull out of the hat for this Widespread Panic show, but you better believe it is about to be funky and nasty.
Do you think you’ll get a chance to sit-in with Panic?
I’m going to see what happens. I’m friendly with Jojo (Herman), so hopefully it happens.
How did your three uncles, Alvin, Derrick and Keith, influence your musical style?
My father died at a young age, so all these guys became my father. I would watch them perform during church service. The sound that they gave was so powerful. It was like a rock show every Sunday. It was high energy. That’s why it’s natural for me to play because I was raised that way.
What kind of pedal steel guitar do you play?
Ten string, seven pedals, five knee levels. It’s a Fessenden Steel Guitar made in Burlington, Vermont. I also have a lap steel which is my own design made by Dan Lawson at DLlapsteel guitars. I’m able to get up and walk around with it, so I’m actually mobile now.
How did you learn how to play?
Everything came from the church and I learned from my uncle, the late Glenn Lee. He was one of the sickest steel players. I’m a third generation player – it was kind of just given to me – like a gift. I watched him at church and he would coach and drill me personally. When I was 15, he would stand by me and make sure that I was playing right.
What was the most challenging aspect of learning how to play the pedal steel?
I started out playing a lap steel when was 12 or 13. Here I am starting out playing lap steel. I’m like, “OK.” I was getting it slowly but I’m learning. By the time I turn 15, my uncle the late Glenn Lee takes me off from my six-string and puts me out on a double pedal steel, by far the biggest steal pedal out there. I’m thinking, “This is big for me and I’m just a kid.” I cried and pouted and I was like, “Come on, this is a machine – it’s big, it’s heavy and I don’t know what to do.” He told me, “You better learn it” and I said, “How? This thing is so big, I can barely hold it.” And he was like, “You’re going to learn it.” He taught me the basics and after I calmed down, I started playing it and I was like, “I can do this.”
Can give you us an update on The Lee Boys?
We took it slow this year since the death of Vera Lee our mom/grandmother earlier this year. That was our Big Momma. That was a really tough time for us, so we kind of slowed down and spent more time at home. Come next year, most likely we’re going to tour.
What’s it like playing music with family?
Blood is thicker than water. It’s sweet and sour. You have your tussles but it’s the most love you’ll ever get. We’re all true blood.
And finally, what’s the plan until the family reunites?
You can look for a solo project that should be coming out soon. I’m working on it right now but I can’t say who’s going to be working on it with me. It’s going to be a surprise
