I'm Eighteen!

"I had that riff for a long time and I didn't want to write it because I thought that's not me. It's just that thing of letting things happen. I don't have any qualms anymore. I'm not Big Pete Pearson. I like rock and a lot of other types of music. Blues-rock is what I do."

The gradual movement to more pop-oriented songwriting comes just as major-label interest is rearing its head. Jonny Lang isn't getting any younger and neither is Duarte. Looking at it in cynical A&R terms, they want to snap up J.D. while he is still young enough to turn heads in amazement. Looking at it in economical A&R terms, look how much product he's shifted without any outside help! Looking at it in pure logical terms, the staid national blues scene is due for some new blood -- and J.D. Simo is more than ready to supply the transfusion.

Emily Piraino

The kid is all right: J.D. Simo blossoms from child prodigy to adult.

Emily Piraino

It ain't Halsted Street, but it'll do: Simo finds solace in Cave Creek.

Details

Scheduled to play Fandango's in Cave Creek on October 3, Malone's in Cave Creek on October 4 and Sugar Daddy's in Scottsdale on October 11.

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More About

• J.D. Simo
• Arizona Jeff
• Elvis Presley
• Diane Simo
• Blues Music

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Originally, Simo and Dirty Pool were looking to make a live recording, but that plan has been sidelined in favor of a studio album with the live band. They've just finished rehearsing the song "Sooner or Later."

"Man," says Simo. "We cut out a verse, a bridge and an outro to try to get it under 3:23. It's at 4:23 right now.

"The 13-year-old J.D. would be throwing a fit about the cuts, but the 18-year-old Simo says it fits the song."