Articles

Rodney “Skeet” Curtis On This Month’s Groove – The No Treble Podcast

Rodney “Skeet” Curtis is this month’s conversation on Groove – The No Treble Podcast.

You can listen the new episode right here: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #109 – Rodney “Skeet” Curtis.

Few bassists have etched their legacy as indelibly as Rodney “Skeet” Curtis. This is a reflection on his 40-year odyssey, and it reveals not just a musician but a maestro who has continually redefined the electric bass. Skeet’s journey is a vivid tapestry of rhythm and groove and funk. His early foray into music was a dance of discovery, with each string plucked on his bass guitar leading to new realms of sonic exploration. Skeep didn’t just play the bass; he conversed with it, coaxing out rhythms that would become the heartbeat of numerous iconic tracks. The hallmark of Skeet’s career has been his extraordinary versatility. In the funk-laden streets of the 1970s, 1980s and beyond, his work with legends like George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Maceo Parker and even Dr. Dre showcase his ability to lay down grooves that are not just catchy but soul-stirring. His bass lines were not mere accompaniments, but pillars that upheld the intricate architecture of funk music. Transitioning through progressive rock and jazz, Skeet brought the same infectious energy but with a nuanced sophistication. His bass became a chameleon, adapting to the complex rhythms of jazz and the raw energy of rock. This versatility was not just a testament to his skill but to his profound understanding of music as a universal language. Throughout his career, Skeet has witnessed the evolution of the electric bass. From the days of bulky analog equipment to the era of sleek digital technology, he has adapted, evolved, and innovated. His playing style has been both a reflection of the times and a pioneer in new bass playing techniques. Check out his stories from a storied career and insights into the soul of a musician who has lived through the changing tides of music. Skeet’s journey with the bass is a chronicle of adaptation, exploration, and relentless passion. For upcoming bassists and seasoned musicians alike, Rodney “Skeet” Curtis stands as a beacon. His career is a reminder that the electric bass is not just an instrument but a vessel of expression, capable of transcending genres, eras, and cultural boundaries. Enjoy the conversation…

What is Groove – The No Treble Podcast?

This is an ambitious effort. This will be a fascinating conversation. Our goal at Groove is to build the largest oral history of bass players. Why Groove? Most of the content about the bass revolves around gear, playing techniques, and more technical chatter. For us, bassists are creative artists with stories to tell. They are a force to be reckon with. These are the stories and conversation that we will capture. To create this oral history of why these artists chose the bass, what their creative lives are like, and where inspiration can be found.

Listen in: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #109 – Rodney “Skeet” Curtis

Are you interested in what’s next? How to decode the future? I publish between 2-3 times per week and then the Six Pixels of Separation Podcast comes out every Sunday. Feel free to subscribe (and tell your friends).

Mitch Joel

Mitch Joel lives at the intersection of technology, business transformation and consumer culture. He is the Executive Director of Next Era Institute, a strategic intelligence platform helping leaders understand the forces reshaping business, technology, culture and society. The Institute identifies which shifts matter, explores their wider significance and translates them into strategic direction and momentum. Mitch is also a globally recognized keynote speaker. He has delivered thousands of presentations across both B2B and B2C industries to organizations including Google, Walmart, LEGO, Shopify, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Strategy Magazine has called him “one of North America’s leading visionaries.” Mitch built his career by working directly inside the waves of change that reshaped modern business. He founded and built a digital marketing agency that worked with some of the world’s largest brands and was later acquired by WPP, where he served as President of a firm operating in 25 countries with almost 3,000 employees. Mitch is the bestselling author of Six Pixels of Separation and CTRL ALT Delete, and the host of Thinking With Mitch Joel, one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world. His writing and commentary appear in outlets including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Inc. Magazine. He is a member of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar. Mitch also hosts Groove – The No Treble Podcast, documenting the oral history of electric bass players. Mitch is also Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, a platform that enables companies to bring personalized thought leadership from world-class experts into meetings, events and off-sites in focused 15-minute bursts.