Popa Chubby

I'd like to dip into Popa Chubby's frequent flyer account. Surely he'd never notice, bouncing back and forth across the ocean like he does. To wit, Saratoga Springs one night, two nights later Schlosshof Fest in Germany, then the very next night our own North by Northwest. Musing over the cost of importing his tight little trio for one night, the NYC bluesman is modest: "I'm lucky to be blessed with all the work I can handle." He has been touring relentlessly to promote Stealing the Devil's Guitar (Blind Pig), yet another collection of themed originals, this time telling the story of the blues. Last time was just before the 2004 elections and it was a different story entirely. Why the change? Bad reaction at shows? Chubby nearly explodes, "Any reaction is a good reaction! Personally I don't care if the industry likes what I got to say or not. I'm not the Dixie Chicks. I'm not making statements for effect. I believe what I said. I had some strong opinions around the time of the election ... some are even stronger now. The thing is, those who didn't like Bush still don't like him," he says. "[And] there are fewer in the other camp now. So what am I gonna do? Rub their faces in it? I was right! So now let's have a party."