Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Doster.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I played bass for B.B. King for 17 years from August 1985 until July 2002. How I got the gig was through Mr. King’s nephew, Walter King. I first met Walter at Tennessee State University in 1978 where I was a music major. Walter was a graduate of TSU and was helping the band director with the Tennessee State University Jazz Collegians in which I was a member. Walter and I played in local bands around Nashville for several years.
One morning Walter called me very early, (as he was known to do from the vexation of many of his friends). Walter asked me, “Hey, do you want to play with B.B.?” I thought he was pulling my leg at first. He said, “We need you in Indianapolis tomorrow night.”
I hopped on a plane and met Mr. King and the band in Indianapolis. There was another bass player at the time, Joe Turner, who was filling in the absence of long-time bassist, Russell Jackson, who left to pursue further education and career goals. I waited in the wings to learn the show.
We rode from Indianapolis to Texas. Walter had later told me that he was waiting to see If was still on the bus by the time the band got to Texas. He thought that if I could survive the bus ride with the B.B. King Orchestra, I would be able to handle the gig.
B.B. had a weeklong engagement at Rockefeller’s in Houston where he finally let me sit in on the last show. At the time I was playing with a gospel group, Bobby Jones and New Life, who had a nationally syndicated TV show. B.B.’s son, Willie, asked his dad, “What do you think about this bass player?” B.B. responded, “If he can play gospel, he ought to be able to play the blues.”
The next night when we were at the Fast and Cool Club in Dallas, B.B. came to me and asked, “Son, do you want a job?” I replied, “Yes, Sir! Thank you! I’d like that very much!” B.B said, “I’ll guarantee you two weeks, and if you leave me, give me two weeks’ notice.” It was a handshake and it lasted 17 years.
When I came off the road I went back to college at Tennessee State University and graduated in 2007. I ended up working at TSU in 2008 at the Brown-Daniel Library and I still work there today. One of the librarians who gave me a break is Fletcher Moon, a piano player. He knew Walter and me from the 70’s and he didn’t think It was a far stretch for a musician to end up working in a library.
I’m grateful to the faculty, staff, and students at Tennessee State University because they taught me the musical and social skills to be able to play with B.B. King and learn a new skill set. Whether you’re playing in a band or working in a library, it involves collaboration, listening, and patience!
I started playing around Nashville again and met guitarist Gil Gann. We’ve been playing together for 22 years now. Gil and I do a weekly Matinee at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Printers Alley. I’m grateful to Gil for bringing me back out to play music. I gave up playing music for a while when I went back to college and started working full time. Playing music helps me stay spiritually centered as well as being an usher at Concordia Lutheran Church.
My plans 50 years ago look a lot different than what my life looks like today. I never thought I would ever be able to travel around the world with a legendary blues musician, but I did. I never thought I would end up working in a library, but I did. I never thought I would end up being an usher in a Lutheran Church, but I am. Do you want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Health problems took me off the road with B.B. King in 2002. I quit playing music for a while until I got my strength back. In a way, it was a blessing to come off the road. I was able to be there for my mother while she was dying of cancer. Taking time off gave me the motivation to go back to school.
It always has been a challenge for me. I struggle to remain focused at times. If I start planning results instead of just “planning”, I get easily distracted. I’ve been sober for 19 years now and that helped eliminate a lot of problems for me.
Life still throws me curve balls. Having a community I can turn to helps. Now that I’m getting older, I really appreciate my family and friends. We’re all in this together!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Even though I’ve spent the last 50 years pursuing a musical career, I really love working in a library. When I graduated from college, I was a substitute teacher for a while. I love working with students. I learn something new everyday while interacting with patrons in the library. The great thing about it is I still get to play music and sleep in my own bed every night!
How do you think about luck?
I believe fortune found me with the people and situations in my life. I might have had some “lucky” breaks in the past that I wasn’t prepared for. I believe staying in the right direction is more important than the role of luck. There might’ve been some detours along the way, but if you respect people and treat yourself right, you’ll find your groove. I’m grateful that some of those things I wished for didn’t come true! More will be revealed!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @doster_m
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/michael.doster.76
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michael-doster-922a9426
- Twitter: @MikeDosterBass
- Youtube: @michaeldoster859
- Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-808171456
