Joe Breckenridge

His torchy, Townes Van Zandt-inspired ballad "One Night in Dallas" finds Joe Breckenridge singing about "trying to keep it hid" and "too much wine, too much song."
Some poetic license is at play.
"Only time I had been to Dallas was to see an Alabama game out there," Breckenridge, 59, says. He's calling from the music room in his Birmingham-area home, which is filled with 14 guitars and basses. "I just kind of sat down and wrote a song, and I guess Dallas was on my mind because my son was moving out there. Names and place have been changed to protect the innocent."
Breckenridge has been doing gigs since 1966 and had a stint playing bass in the Southern-pop band Telluride, which was at one time signed to RCA Records. He didn't have a "real job" until he was 40 - and even that was the result of a "reverse mid-life crisis" when Breckenridge took a job doing heating and air-conditioning work.
"I'm one of those guys that almost done a lot of stuff and never quite did it," he says, adding that his friends have done better – playing with artists such as Emmylou Harris, Delbert McClinton and Ray LaMontage.
But Breckenridge is being humble.
2
As bassist with Loveland Orchestra, Breckenridge opened two early-90s shows for Bob Dylan, one of which was in Birmingham. "He actually came out and listened to us from the side of the stage at one point. I was like, 'Wow.' It's kind of unnerving when you have a legend like that watching you."
7
Breckenridge once played for seven hours straight at the Pelham Mexican restaurant Margarita Grill. "I was just having a good time," he says. "I had a wireless (cable) on my guitar, so I actually didn't take any bathroom breaks and I was probably about eight feet away from the bar so I could just walk over and get a drink. I had some good friends come in that sang with me. It was just one of those nights."
1975
The year Breckenridge signed on as a songwriter with Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. ""I basically learned that I'm not much of a writer," he says, although his moody tune "Darkness Over Me" offers proof otherwise. "There are so many songsmiths there that are just great, great writers." Even so, Breckenridge recalls cool Muscle Shoals Sound moments, such as playing Frisbee with Kris Kristofferson and bumping into Rod Stewart. "(Stewart) said, 'Hey, did ya come about a job, mate?' And I wish I would have been quick enough and said, 'Yeah,' but I didn't."
10
The late blues man Bo Diddley once hired Breckenridge to play in his backing band for about 10 Southeastern shows, including sets in Birmingham and Pensacola, Fla. "We had two shows at the Stardome here, and Bo was getting up in years...We had 30 or 40 minutes between shows and we had to wake him up for the second show."
180
Breckenridge still plays about 180 gigs a year. "I can't believe at my age that people still pay me to do what I do," he says.
1985
The year Breckenridge joined Telluride, which formed in 1977. The group played about 17 shows this past year. "It's more fun now because there are no aspirations of getting anywhere," Breckenridge says. "When you're young, there's always that elusive thing of making it, so you're always putting pressure on yourself. None of that happens anymore. And we're too old to chase women. So there are no distractions and it's more about 'Hey, I'm getting with these old friends and playing and it's a blast.' "
20
Breckenridge has played on more than 20 albums. His says his favorite is singer/songwriter Rock Killough's LP "Still Loving You." "He's more of a country writer, but I just love his lyrics," Breckenridge says of Killough - al.com by Matt Wake

Joe Breckenridge is a solo performer who has been playing in the southeast for the last 40 years. He performed with rock band Telluride and plays a variety of instruments, from banjo and upright bass to guitar and harmonica. Generally he plays acoustic guitar and sings solo, performing classic rock tunes as well as original songs, of which he has many. Breckenridge ranges from blues to jazz to R&B; he pretty much plays a little bit of everything.

Breckenridge produces a lot of sound for one man; by using subtle effects he always sounds full and prominent.

Breckenridge has a well worn, bluesy voice that can only come from years on the road and much acquired wisdom. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two. - The Corner News

Joe Breckenridge is a solo performer who has been playing in the southeast for the last 40 years. He performed with rock band Telluride and plays a variety of instruments, from banjo and upright bass to guitar and harmonica. Generally he plays acoustic guitar and sings solo, performing classic rock tunes as well as original songs, of which he has many. Breckenridge ranges from blues to jazz to R&B; he pretty much plays a little bit of everything.

Breckenridge produces a lot of sound for one man; by using subtle effects he always sounds full and prominent.

Breckenridge has a well worn, bluesy voice that can only come from years on the road and much acquired wisdom. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two. - The Corner News

I say frequently our region is DEEP with all colors of REAL talent and soul...people you've probably never heard of. The list of musicians who can sit solo on a stool and entertain for 2 sets is short..Joe Breckenridge is one of those folks and a kind hearted soul to boot. - Bruce Andrews