JC: I have received way more than four Grammy nominations; it�s more like seven or eight by now, what with the three nominations on Telarc these last several years (Superharps, 35th Anniversary Jam - which won a Handy award for �Album of the Year�, and Baby, Don�t You Tear My Clothes), plus I won one in 1997 for Deep in the Blues. I always just try and play strong and keep in my mind that I have both my fans AND the other harp players to try and impress. I still believe that my sound is unique and I still like my bands to be topnotch---kick ass and take names!---and that�s just what we're going to do in Toronto, always one of my favorite cities in the world, so many friends and memories there. We always seem to have a good time and we hope everyone can turn out. I think Jeff is in town and we always like to cut up when we get a chance to play together. He comes up and it seems like he is in the band from the word, �go� - always a pleasure!"
DW: On your latest release with Telarc, Baby, Don�t You Tear My Clothes, you explore more rural-based blues - country and bluegrass. Is this change directly related to the physical limitations caused by your throat surgery or does this less aggressive approach to making music sit more comfortably with you? In other words, did you ever feel obliged to play harder in order to make a name for yourself, or was that intensity a genuine part of you back in the earlier years?
JC: The people on the last record were all folk and country artists [Rory Block, Marcia Ball, Bobby Rush, Dave Alvin, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Rowan, C.J. Chenier and bluegrass king Doc Watson] that I have enjoyed over the years. We just wanted to do something a little bit different. That�s what keeps it fun for me after fifty years in the business...to be able to record with some of the folks was unbelievable. They made me play country and I got some of �em playin� the blues pretty good too! I am playing stronger harp these days than when I sang; it had absolutely nothing to do with my throat. I haven�t sung in concert for almost ten years. I�ve had some of my biggest records and best concert years since then.. It�s just a twist of fate that came my way with the throat surgery and polyps in 1994. I think I�m playing harp better now than at earlier points. It�s all I concentrate on now. I really can put my heart and soul back into playing. When you sing, too, you have to figure that into the mix too. I�m actually playing more harp now than at any time since I was in Muddy's band. The fans seem to like it just fine, too (smiles).
DW: What is your greatest regret (if any) in living life as a professional musician?
JC: Regrets? Oh, some, probably, but not too many. That old saying is true - you can�t miss what you never had. I�ve been from Tokyo to Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires to Anchorage, Alaska, and everywhere in between - pretty good for a small-town boy from Mississippi, with just a harmonica in my pocket. I would like to be in a major movie before I hang it up, though. I have done some work with Bruce Willis over the years at his concert clubs in Idaho and met many stars over the years. We actually just cut an album, with Steven Seagall in Memphis in October, so that may lead to a small part in his next film.
DW: Thanks very much for your time, Mr. Cotton. My best wishes for your continued good health.
DW (a.k.a. Misty Blue)
Copyright "Rockin' the Blues from Canada" (2005)
