Going Down Memory Lane with Local Musician Vinnie Youngblood
Earlier in the summer, I sat down at Chico Feo next to two ladies who visit from out of state every year. We were discussing the great local music scene, and they mentioned a “pirate that played guitar better than anyone they’d ever seen” and lamented that they had not seen him around this year.
I excused myself to make a phone call to Vinnie Youngblood, and within five minutes he came walking up the road, guitar in hand, and preceded to entertain the ecstatic ladies and all the other patrons as only Youngblood can. He’s quite a character, but all shenanigans aside, he is also a great singer, master guitarists, and easily one of the best songwriters I know. I recently sat down with Youngblood and his girlfriend, Andrea Welch, at Planet Follywood for what turned out to be long trip into the past and mind of Mr. Youngblood, that I did my best to condense here.
FC: How did you find your way to Folly Beach?
VY: I was born in York, SC and moved around a lot after I grew up. I started my first band when I was in my early 20s, we were called “VO” and we played great venues like the Double Door Inn in Charlotte. I moved to San Francisco in 1987 and lived there for five years, playing with great musicians like Jef Labes, Huey Lewis, and Mickey Shine. I then moved to Naples, Fla., and while there a guitarist I knew, Scott Bristow, called and talked me into moving here.
My brother lived here and I had a nephew attending the College of Charleston, so I said “why not?” One of the first shows I played here was in West Ashley, and I’m up on stage and a group of five guys come in and are really digging the music. During a set break, they asked me to step outside and talk with them, and then tried to recruit me into the KKK! I was like, “where am I?” I declined, of course. Anyway, the first place I lived was on a sailboat here on Folly. I even lived on the actual beach for a bit, and just decided this was home.
FC: What is your favorite thing about the island?
VY: My favorite thing about Folly Beach is the Sushi by Lisa! Other than that, it’s living here with my sweet Andipants. I love living here, being in love, and writing music. So much inspiration.
FC: Who or what first inspired you to play music?
VY: My big brother started taking guitar lessons when I was little, and I fell in love with the instrument and started to teach myself from what I heard him doing. I even made my own guitar with a frying pan and rubber bands, and played every chance I had! Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon became my biggest influences as I grew older.
FC: You’ve drawn a lot of comparisons to the fictional pirate Jack Sparrow. If you were inclined to pillage and plunder, where on the island would you hide your booty?
VY: That comparison just makes me mad, because anyone who has known me a long time will tell you that Jack Sparrow ripped ME off!! I’m pretty sure Johnny Depp owes me royalties. And I would not hide those royalties in a treasure box on Folly; I’d buy more guitars, of course.
FC: What is one thing your neighbors would be surprised to learn about you?
VY: When I was about 8-years old, a friend of mine caught a huge softshell turtle in Rock Hill. I lied and said I caught it, and ended up getting on the local news and everything over it. I still feel really bad about that. Sorry, Tommy!
Miranda Jordan is a guidance counselor, musician, and freelance writer. To reach her, you can email her at mirandaalicejordan@gmail.com.
