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Vintage Guitar
Magazine
Robert “Cutter”
Brandenburg met Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1970. The two southern boys were
about the same age, and their friendship blossomed in and around the
Texas music scene of the early ‘70s.
Brandenburg went on to
become a roadie, of sorts, initially transporting members of various
bands to shows and helping set up equipment. As Uncle John Turner notes
in his foreword, “…all the bands had all mixed together with the most
consistent member being the roadie, Cutter.” Later, as playing in local
bars evolved to playing in the next town, then playing a few hundred
miles away, and finally to playing several states away, Cutter became
more of a road manager. He worked with Vaughan through his rise to
stardom and on the first tours after his initial album release. Cutter
parted ways to get off the road, and settle with his wife and young son.
His book is a 303-page
homage to Stevie, and while the writing can be difficult to read (it
appears to have been dictated in a stream of consciousness), it is
filled with memories and love for Vaughan, for the Texas music scene and
its players, and of life on the road. There are also insider stores
about touring, record label deals, recording studios, and more. But if
the oral history approach to writing the book is hard on the reader, the
photos make up for it. By far the most intriguing part of the book is
the massive 250-plus photo collection.
A full 100 pages is
dedicated to photos – most shot by Brandenburg – many of Stevie Ray
performing, writing and composing, recording, or just hanging out.
These include some of the earliest known photos of Vaughan, and nearly
all are published here for the first time. Among the other artists
photographed are Jo Jo Gunne, Johnny Winter, Ian Hunter, Andy Gibb, The
Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mason Ruffner, and others. These are early
photos that make up in authenticity and interest what they lack in
professional quality.
Brandenburg’s book is
limited to 1,500 copies that include a CD from the Texas scene, and is
available direct from
www.mrceecutter.com.
ECS
Austin Chronicle
The long, awkward title could've been recast as Mr. Cee's Wild Ride.
Cutter Brandenburg, better known to friends and associates as "Mr. Cee,"
jumped aboard the Stevie Ray Vaughan train in the early days, first as
friend and confidante, then as roadie and confidante. Without focusing
on guitar-wanking or philosophy (except his own), Brandenburg paints an
arresting portrait of life behind a guitarist destined for the stars,
only to see it explode like a supernova. You Can't Stop a Comet
is hardly a traditional read, however, delivered more like an oral
history that's been transcribed without much thought given to style or
grammar. That's okay; Cutter cops to that early on, and those rough
edges give the book its offbeat charm, much of it courtesy of the book's
insider photos (over 250 of them including a color section) and their
lengthy captions, which offer a very personal look from the backstage
perch into SRV's life, as well as Cutter's further adventures touring
with Johnny Winter, Jo Jo Gunne, and others. Make no mistake, though.
This is Cutter's story and Cutter's life, and he tells it like it is,
right up to tales of his own club. Comet throws sparks with the
passionate exuberance of a fan and friend, and at $60 bucks a pop, it's
obviously for fans and friends. To them, it's worth every cent.
BY
MARGARET MOSER
Craig Hopkins - S.R.V. Fan Club
You Can't Stop a Comet - March 2006. Author Robert "Cutter"
Brandenburg. 318 pp of text plus hundreds of photos.
I can't think of anything but praise for this offering by Cutter "Mr
Cee" Brandenburg, and it's not because he has been a friend of mine for
five years. One caveat - I have only read the first 15 pages of the
text, but I did spend at least TWO HOURS looking at the photos and
reading the captions. After those 15 pages and hundreds of photos I can
whole-heartedly recommend that you immediately buy this book if you are
a fan of Stevie.
For the truth-in-advertising part of the review, since this is an
SRV site I need to mention that the book isn't all about Stevie, but
that's a good thing. Not only do you get all of Cutter's recollections
of years on and off the road with Stevie, but insight into his life as a
roadie for Ian Hunter, Andy Gibb and others. So, this is the story of
Mr. Cee, whose best friend and "employer" just happened to be one of the
greatest guitarists of all time.
I've been doing research on Stevie's life and career for 15 years,
but no one can relate the stories of the road better than someone who
was there. Years ago, before I did my books on Stevie, someone told me
not to try to track down Cutter to interview him for the fan club
newsletter, because "he won't be cooperative." I wish I could remember
what fool told me that, because, to use Cee's favorite word, it was just
dang wrong! I will always be sorry that I was misled about
Cutter, and didn't find out what a good person and rich source of
information he is before I did my books - and Cee will never let me
forget it!
If you have watched this site for long, or have known me long, you
know I call it as I see it (just see the review of the Dickerson book
from the link to the 2000-2005 reviews below). I have known the book has
been in production for a long time, but I refused to actually recommend
it until I had one in hand. Now I do. The photos alone are worth the
price of admission, and the first 15 pages have already told me that I
am going to have hours of enjoyment reading about Cee, Stevie and the
other artists.
The book is being sold directly from Cutter to you -
www.mrceecutter.com,
and the first 1500 get a CD with it. Get one before they're gone, and
tell Cee I sent you.
Fan Reviews
All I can say is WOW!!! What a
work of art and labor of love. U and your book should definitely be
inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. The history you've preserved
via pix, documents and your narrative is absolutely amazing and
essential in anyone's interest or understanding of that period of
Texas/Texans' music history, culture, lifestyle.
The way you write is fucking incredible! I'm reading and I'm right there
with the people you're talking about or talking to. I was right on is in
my last email when I said I couldn't wait to "experience" your book, and
I truly am, whether I know, know who, or don't know the
person/s you're writing about. Your narrative style reminds me of some
of the "Beat Generation" writers, especially Tom Wolfe and Ken Kesey.
(Jeez I'm starting to sound like a book critic. ) Anywayz, hands down,
you and Keith Ferguson are the best tellers of stories I've ever met.
And the CD you sent! What a bonus. I can only assume (by the title) that
this is music from bands that played at your Club. Let me know if I'm
wrong. My fave is, I think it's track 9, that band that went or want to
go to Longview. Who are these guys cuz they're rockin my world with that
song? I wan't more of them. Antyway, this email is turning into an
epackage so I'll cut it short. I sent Peggy an email yesterday and I
hope to hear from her. Let me know how things are goin.
I also want to buy another book, so I can give my friend Kim from LA an
early bday present. I wouldn't have gone to Antones's for Unc's benefit
had it not been for her and her circle of sobriety Peeps that I went
with (for us "Newbies" safety is in numbers). And if I hadn't gone to
Antone's, I wouldn't have reconnected with
you or bought your beautemous book.
And yes Cutter, "bestest" is a word just becuz you said it. That's the
true beauty of language, it evolves and becomes by usage. If not, we'd
still be grunting and pointing.
Peace & Strength, Lizz
__________________________________________________
Mr. Cee,
I just got home from Pascagoula, MS and walked in and seen my special
delivery had arrived - your book "You Cant Stop A Comet".
I been working at a Chevron Refinery since Jan.14th. 2007.
I've been a welding inspector for 15 yrs. which required me to travel a
lot. I stopped taking and playing my guitar on the road because of
motel complaints and airport BShit. I played from 12 yrs. old till
I was 19. I been back at it for about a year now, playing whenever I
get the chance. Several months ago I bought all of Stevie's DVDs I could
find. I never got a chance to see Stevie live, its one of the few
regrets I have. So, I live with Stevie thru DVDs, radio, my
guitar, articles, and most of all soul to soul - blues. I can relate to
his struggles because IÂ am, slowly but surely, finding my way back to a
sober drug free day. I know its up to me, but I wouldn't have
faced or ever talked about addiction if it wasn't for Stevie's AA letter
and Stevie's musical gift from god, I really do believe that. I watch
him over n over n over in awe of his passion and ability to speak to me
thru his lyrics and stage presence while hitting every lick with such
grace and style. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing your
memories you had with Stevie. Stevie knows.
.......LIFE BY THE DROP.......
Thank you,
Dave
__________________________________________________
I just wanted to drop a line and thank you
for the book. I started it yesterday and absolutely love it. I always
wanted a career in music but I have never been able to become more than
a half-ass guitar player. I can entertain myself and I guess that is all
that really matters. I do repair and modify tube amps for friends and
sometimes a couple of guitar shops when they get backed up. When you
mentioned in the book about how seeing Stevie the first time changed
your life I can relate. I first saw Stevie open for George Thoroughgood
at the U of H here in Houston. I was a huge Thoroughgood fan at the time
and didn’t really know much about Stevie, although I had heard the
name. Well, 5 minutes into Stevie's set and I was covered in goose bumps
and absolutely mesmerized. I had never heard anyone or anything like
that. To this day just thinking about it gives me goose bumps. When
Thoroughgood started his set it almost seemed dull and lifeless by
comparison, although it was really quite good. I was hooked on SRV from
then on. In the game room upstairs at our house I have posters, ticket
stubs and autographs from all the musicians that have inspired me over
the years. SRV, Frampton, Nugent, Zappa, Robben Ford, I have a piece of
wood from the house Muddy Waters was born in and things like that. When
I am up there jamming I can look up and think of all the great songs
they have given us over the years. The only thing missing is Stevie's
autograph, but that will come one day. I have the music he gave us and
that is what it is really all about anyway. Even my son (who is 17 years
old and in special education) loves Stevie's music. When I put on a CD
or a song comes on the radio he will crank it up and say "That's my
Stevie". He has Texas Flood in his walkman about half of the time,
jamming away on air-guitar and singing out of key at the top of his
lungs. He truly loves Stevie's music. Sorry to ramble but I really do
love the book and want to thank you for sharing your experiences with
the rest of us. When you open your club in Austin I would love to come
and hear some great music in a great environment. I hope it all comes
together for you. Thanks Again, Todd
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