#brucewatson

Foreigner guitarist Bruce Watson was having a better hair day, finished his crisp white shirt with a black jacket (I’d intended to do in kind with mine, but I was rushing and couldn’t get my cuffs through my sleeves), and surrounded himself with cool guitars and warm lights. Rockstar! I dig the cut of his jib. Almost as much as I appreciate how accessible, down-to-earth, humble, and lovely he is. Not a likely combination, but oh, so charming. And entertaining! What a great storyteller! 

Bruce took us through his extraordinary ancestry. The Watsons have been Valley Boys since the 1600s. Not! But they have been in America since then, in LA since the 1890s or so… likewise, his mother’s people, from Cork. Great story there - how and why they got here. 

We got the skinny on where the passion started - The Monkees - Hey Micky - and Creedance- the dream - to be a rockstar - his first band, Eragon, that no one, including me, could say correctly, covering The Eagles and Zeppelin - hysterical day jobs, great stories there, his first big gig touring with Toto’s Bobby Kimball, then Patty Smyth with Rod Stewart, then Rod hisself. Bruce, although not a “reader,” was getting lots of session work for film, TV, and commercials, one of which was producing a spot with B.B. King- what a poignant, moving story. Recording with a very young Christina Aguilera, her break out, What a Girl Wants, and just out of the box, Sara Bareilles’ Love Song, through Bennett Salvay meeting composer W.G.  Snuffy Walden, and giving them just what they needed for their Friday Night Lights, getting the call to fill in for an ill Mick Jones - a temp gig - Bruce was busy, enjoying session work, his home and his family, with no intention of touring - then getting extended… again and again… finally joining Mick and becoming a permanent member of Foreigner. The Rockstar young Bruce dreamt of being realized in full force and boy does he wear it well. A killer player, he’s got the hair, the moves, and the clothes, and I got him to tell us where he shops. I wanna hit the stores with him. It’s all about how he puts it together. 

Bruce Watson is all that… and a jumbo bag of Cheetos. Talent, looks, genuine sweetness, and fun. Rockers, please take note… you can reach the pinnacle, look amazing doing it, and still be a mensch. Be like Bruce!

Bruce Watson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 11/20/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

Today  LIVE with Foreigner guitarist Bruce Watson… easy on the ears, eyes, and psyche! What a sweetheart. I want his wardrobe. If only I could fit into it. I sure dig the cut of his jib. As for his chops, killer! Bruce joined Foreigner full-time in 2011 alongside founding member Mick Jones. Having recently seen them headline a stadium show - Bruce is all that and a jumbo bag of Cheetos. 

With an extensive career recording tracks for music in commercials, films, and television, including laying down guitar for a guy named W.G. Snuffy Walden on Friday Night Lights. He’s played studio and road dates with B.B. King, Patti Smyth, and Elton John, to name a few, and played on Sara Bareilles’ Love Song, and Christina Aguilera’s What a Girl Wants to name just a couple of mega hits. 

Upon meeting Bruce what struck me most beyond his rockstar looks and crazy talent is how accessible, down-to-earth, humble, and lovely he is. So looking forward to spending time in his sunny good company and getting to know more about him.  Any friend of Snuff’s… 

Bruce Watson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 11/20/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook