Category Archives: Bassists To Know

Bassists To Know: Tish Ciravolo

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Tish Ciravolo is not just an incredible bass player.  She’s also the president and founder of Daisy Rock Girl Guitars. Tish’s mission is to make playing instruments easier for girls and to help girls have the confidence to pursue music careers.  Tish founded Daisy Rock Girl Guitars in 2000 so that all girls alike would be welcome and inspired to play music.  Tish is truly an amazing person.

Tish has received many rewards for her contribution and for empowering females to pick up instruments.  And she also makes amazing instruments! These instruments are almost made custom for girls and women alike.  The necks and bodies of these instruments are thinner and lighter.  This makes the instruments lighter and easier for a girl with small hands to play.  As a comparison, many basses weigh from about 9 lbs. – 11 lbs. However, Daisy Rock basses weigh about 6 lbs.  This would make 4 hour shows SO MUCH easier!

I especially like that Tish has created instruments for all types of girls.  Their “Debutante” series of basses and guitars are designed for beginners and younger girls.  Their necks are shorter and easier for younger hands to play.  I really love the way this encourages younger girls to pick up instruments.  It’s worry free and they look really cool!

These instruments sound amazing, too! Don’t believe me? Well, check out my friend Annie Clements playing her Daisy Rock with Sugarland!!

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Bassists to Know: Michael “Flea” Balzary

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I never really was a fan of Red Hot Chili Peppers until a short time ago.  I don’t know what it was, but I heard a song by them and decided it was awesome. Anyway, I now find myself truly inspired by Flea.  The first song off of Californication is “Around the World” and it contains some pretty kick butt bass licking.

I’m almost certain every bassist (Except for me, obviously) has heard of Flea.  I mean, he was named one of  Rolling Stone’s “Top Ten Bassists of All Time”. However, if you have never heard of Flea, he is the bassist for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Flea has exhibited many different styles of playing.  He is an amazing slap bassist, rock bassist, funk bassist, and many more.  While his soloing is purely amazing, his ability to stay so tight and simple is impressive as well.  The songs he plays with simple eighth notes sound just as immaculate as the ones he shreds on.

Flea has officially made it to my list of Inspirational Bassists.  If you have never looked into him, definitely  do that.  You will not regret it.

Bassists You Should Know: Glenn Worf

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Lately, I’ve been listening to Miranda Lambert’s “Four the Record”, and I gotta say that the playing is phenomenal. The album has some pretty impressive names in the Musician’s Credits, but I was most interested in who played bass (of course). I was pretty impressed with who I found!

The session bassist on “Four the Record” is Glenn Worf. He has been playing for OVER 40 YEARS, and is mostly known for his session work with artists like Craig Campbell, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and many more. That’s a pretty impressive resume! Check out any of those albums on which he’s featured – you’ll definitely be impressed with his riffs and AMAZING precision. A “Must Listen” especially for all the upright players out there.

Glenn Worf does NOT have a website, however you can read his authorized biography here.

Bassists You Should Know: Joe Fick

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While I was in Nashville, I ran into an EXTREMELY talented bassist. His name is Joe Fick, also known as “Slick” Joe Fick.  He has been playing for 17 years and is an amazing “slap” bassist, working primarily with an upright bass.  He plays seven days a week on Lower Broadway in Nashville with two bands, the Don Kelley Band and The Silver Threads.  He, also, starred in the Johnny Cash Biopic “Walk the Line“, in which he portrayed one of his idols, Bill Black.

I definitely recommend checking out Joe Fick.  You can learn more about him at his website,  www.slickjoefick.com or follow him on twitter. If you live in or around Nashville, you can catch him with the Don Kelley Band on Wednesdays – Saturdays from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM at Robert’s Western World.

Joe Fick

Joe Fick and his Engelhardt Upright Bass