George Fletcher
Saratoga Springs
Music is in George Fletcher's DNA. He is a the third generation in his family to choose the life of a professional musician. His father, Tex Fletcher was a recording artist and one of radio and Hollywood’s earliest singing cowboys among stars such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. His maternal grandfather, George Henkel was a “Society Orchestra” leader whose bands were well known in New York City and the New York tri-state area during the swing era.
As the owner of Saratoga Strings Guitar & Bass Lesson Center, George has personally helped launch countless musical careers. Many students remain friends with George long after they have moved on from their studies. In fact, he's hired several former students over the years to join the staff at Saratoga Strings, and a few have even played in his blues bands, Bourbon Renewal and Foldin' Money.
Between the years of 2004 and 2013 he was 1/2 of the popular instrumental duo, The Tequila Mockingbirds. The group has been retooled and has resumed performing as The Tee Mox.
Fletcher’s groups have performed throughout the area at festivals such as the Albany Tulip Fest, Downtown Albany Blues Competition, Saratoga’s Jazz fest, the Hat’s Off, Final Stretch and West Side Celebrations, and he was a co organizer of the Caroline Street Arts & Blues Fest in Saratoga Springs.
Between the years 1992 and 2002 George was publisher and editor of Northeast regional Rhythm and News magazine, as well as the music columnist and page editor for The Poughkeepsie Journal.
His freelance writings appeared internationally in publications including Single Styles, 20th Century Guitar and Vintage Guitar magazine and he was producer/host of Hudson Valley NOW! a public affairs radio program on 101.5 WPDH FM. In addition, he produced and hosted On Stage, a northeast regional radio program featuring independent and unsigned bands, originating over 92.7/96.9 WRRV FM.
On Stage was one of the first ever live streaming internet programs.
As a journalist, Fletcher specialized in writing about the blues and has interviewed many of the genre’s greats, including, BB King, Buddy Guy, Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, Junior Watson, Hubert Sumlin, Duke Robillard, Kim Simmonds, Coco Montoya and J. Geils among many others.
Lesser known, but no less-great blues musicians in George’s professional radar include Murali Coryell, the late Bill Perry, Chris O’Leary, Harrison “Slam” Allen, Rhett Tyler, Peter Hop, Peter Kanaras and Little Sam Davis, all of whom are personal friends of George.
As a performer, George has an extensive list of credits, including having been sub-guitarist for Wishbone Ash guitarist Andy Powell when he was unavailable for his U.S. based blues project, Blue Law. He has also substituted for Mark Emerick in The Commander Cody Band and Chris Vitarello in the Chris O’Leary Blues Band.
Other performing and recording credits: Curt Smith, Larry Hoppen, Dennis Cotton, Rick Mullen Albert Rogers, John Platania, John Sebastian, Randy Ciarlante, Vito Liuzzi, Marty Joe Kupersmith, Jerry Marotta, Tom Marotta, John “Skinny” Regan, Gary “Dr. Know” Miller, Daryl Jenifer, Steve Burgh.
His bands have opened concerts for Ray Charles, Kinky Friedman, Robbie Kreiger (The Doors), The Wailers, Spin Doctors, NRBQ, Popa Chubby, Roomful of Blues, Freebo, Bill Perry, Murali Coryell, Little Sam Davis, Bo Diddley, Commander Cody, Tracey Nelson and many others.
George is supported by Babicz Guitars®. His acoustic Identity and electric Octane are his workhorse teaching instruments.
He was honored as one of Saratoga’s “Top 20 (Movers and Shakers) over 40 in the Saratogian newspaper in 2005.
George was inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame in 2012 under the designation of “Master Blues Artist,”
and in 2013, his band was also inducted into the Hall.
George is married to Elizabeth Fairbanks-Fletcher, an attorney, and together they have one son, Maxwell.
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