Keith Ferguson,
Legendary Austin Music Bassist

The original Tailgators. From left to right, Don Leady, Gary "Mud Cat" Smith and Keith Ferguson. Keith was an essential part of great Austin bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the LeRoi Brothers. Rumor has it he's now playing in Buddy Holly's Band of Angels with Doug and Stevie Ray. Photo/Scott Van Osdol 1988

July 23, 1946 – April 29, 1997

Keith Ferguson played with Jimmie Vaughan in Storm and later with Stevie Ray Vaughan in the Nightcrawlers. He was offered the bass spot in ZZ Top by Billy Gibbons.

To put Keith into perspective, you have to hear him play. I can't think of a better blues, R&B or roots bass player. Ever.

He's a bone fide Texas music legend known for his bottom end work first with the Fabulous Thunderbirds then with Texas Cajun trio, the Tailgators.

When you listen to him play bass, you can't readily hear it front and center. He had a round sound that was so perfect it magically filled all the holes with a low menacing growl.

Just listen to The Crawl off the Fabulous Thunderbirds album, What's the Word (1980), or The Monkey off Thunderbird Rhythm (1982).

Here's an insider's secret to the most authentic Fabulous Thunderbirds recording. It's called Different Tacos and here's what the cover says, “Never released masters of the original Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring their only live recordings in Austin and Europe. Plus studio out-takes from their first four albums.”

Different Tacos is the only way to hear Keith Ferguson… Or the Fabulous Thunderbirds for that matter. Pure and raw. Chicago city blues on steroids, drug through back road Texas dust and dipped in brisket grease and BBQ sauce.

Mike Buck's steady and minimal beat lets Keith drive the song as Jimmie fills. Absolute bawdy blues and boogie at its best.

Different Tacos (Country Town music, 1996). I've been told it's available at Waterloo Records in Austin (www.waterloorecords.com - opens in a new window).

Keith Ferguson blossomed with the Tailgators. A hard rockin' Texas Cajun hybrid that included ex-LeRoi Brother, Don Leady, on guitar and Gary Smith on drums.

Keith is the absolute perfect foil to Leady's deceptively simple single lines and Smith's jungle rhythms. The Tailgators were simply one of the most innovative and talented bands in Austin music history.

I recommend the Tailgators Mumbo Jumbo (1988). Listen to Maria Elena and Little Girl Blue. Cajun rock getting down and dirty. 1987's Tore Up highlights more of Ferguson's incomparable skills with four fat strings. Listen to Jungle Rock off the Tore Up album then you tell me about Keith. Best bass player in the history of Texas music.

He stood in one spot and his hands flowed like fluid over the fretboard. Keith Ferguson...

If you're real lucky, you can catch the Tailgators for one of their rare live performances, check the calendar on their website, www.thetailgators.com (opens in a new window).

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