John Trudell and Bad Dog & Quiltman

Some people call me a poet. Others say I’m an activist. Some say my poetry and music is political. Others say it’s about the spirit of my people. I don’t buy into any of those labels. I may be a little bit of all those things, but I’m more than any of them. We all are. That’s what makes us human.
~John Trudell

Powerful, Magical and Sexy
Text and Photographs by Dawn Bonner

You can feel the anticipation of the sold-out audience waiting for the show to start. The band steps on stage and start their performance; Quiltman is chanting. Then, John Trudell starts saying his lines to the music.

All of a sudden–you are surrounded by magic.

Meet the Characters

Quiltman chants in the ways of his ancestors. It’s lovely, enchanting, and is as if he has called up the elders to fill the room.

Mark Shark and Billy Watts know their way around a guitar. Sometimes the guitars are light, lyrical, gentle and beautiful. Then, at other times, the guitars are deep, sexy and swinging–in a ZZ Top kind of way.

Add to that Rick Eckstein on the keyboards.

Here’s the picture: you have a Hopi Indian chanting in a lilting, haunting way which goes all the way to your DNA, two guys jamming on guitar, blended with the acoustics of Eckstein’s keys. Then Trudell picks up the mic and starts speaking with the music.

You hear the intellect of his thoughts; the subjects he speaks of, and the clarity of his voice to the beat of the music. Three easy words sum it all up.

Powerful, addicting, and interesting.

Enjoy the Variety

John Trudell and Bad Dog & Quiltman sing about insane things; such as, people who say they are killing in the name of God, politics and politicians. They perform songs for justice, fairness for all, and of the wounds of a culture that are still healing. Trudell talks of the industrialized nation, the reservation, and assualts on humanism.

Not only is your body moving to the beat of the music, your mind is engaged as well. They get you thinking of things you never thought about, as well as things you think of everyday as you see crazy all around, yet no one seems to speak of –except for John Trudell and Bad Dog & Quiltman.

Then, they’ll pull out something sweet or funny. Romantic or light, with tongue in cheek.

Sweeting the Light is a sensual love song and currently is one of Trudell’s favorites to perform. His voice is gritty, sumptuous, and clear as a bell. You can understand every word he says. Sweeting the Light could be standard fare for the start of a romantic evening.

The Details

It took less than two minutes and I was a fan of this band. You can’t help but move to the beat, feel the heat of the lyrics, and sink into the lushness of Trudell’s voice. He doesn’t sing a bit; Quiltman, Eckstein, Shark, and Watts do the singing. The members are well matched in talent–each one having an important part in the music.

Trudell writes all of the words to the songs and the band writes the music. Quiltman, Eckstein and Shark have been with Trudell for 23 to 25 years and Watts for 16 years.

It doesn’t take long to know why they have stayed together for so long, put quite simply, what they do, works. When they are playing in a city near you, it is my recommendation you go and experience John Trudell and Bad Dog for a wonderful evening.

A Few of Their Fans

What do Angelina Jolie, George Harrison, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, Alice Cooper, Robert Redford, Bonnie Rait and Bob Dylan have in common? They are all huge fans of  John Trudell and Bad Dog & Quiltman. All of them have collaborated with Trudell, as well. Kristofferson has recorded with Trudell in some of his previous albums. Dylan said in 1987 AKA Grafitti Man was the best album of the year. Browne was the wind beneath Trudell’s wings and inspired him to put his poetry to music. And, Jolie produced some of his work.

Jolie said, “More spirit than man, yet more human than most, John Trudell is an amazing artist. His vision is honest, pure and strong. He speaks the truth and does it beautifully. His music has a heartbeat. For a people with no voice, he is a man who will not be silenced.”

Some of the Songs You’ll Hear

Crazy Horse, Rockin the Res, The Beast, Hanging from the Cross, Democracy, Bombs Over Baghdad, Baby Boom Che (About Elvis), Cry Your Tears, The Only One for Me and more.

Click on any of the songs to hear an excerpt of them or to download an MP3 of the song.

Would you like to read more about John Trudell? Here is an interview Boomer Style magazine did with Trudell, John Trudell, a Man of Beautiful Lines, the poem Valentine by Trudell and a poem Trudell inspired Shelli Carlsle to write, John.

Sweeting the Light  video by Shelli Carlisle

Tagged activist, AKA Grafitti Man, Alice Cooper, Angelina Jolie, Baby Boom Che (About Elvis), Bad Dog and Quiltman, Billy Watts, Bob Dylan, Bombs Over Baghdad, Bonnie Rait, Crazy Horse, Cry Your Tears, Democracy, George Harrison, Hanging from the Cross, Jackson Browne, John Trudell, Kris Kristofferson, Mark Shark, music, musician, poet, Quiltman, Rick Eckstein, Rockin the Res, Sweeting the Light, The Beast, The Only One for Me