Roger Bartlett
Roger was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His early musical influences came by way of his father Ray Bartlett. Ray was the announcer for the nationally-syndicated radio show, The Louisiana Hayride. Besides sharing the Hayride stage with such legends as Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Horton and others, Ray hosted his own show, “Groovey Boy the Boogie Master,” featuring the records of Rhythm & Blues and Jazz artists like Muddy Waters, Johnny Otis, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. These were the sounds that rocked Roger to sleep at night and played throughout the day.
Today, Roger is well known as the original guitarist in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer band. In the early days it was just Jimmy and Roger; two acoustic guitars and vocals. Later, Jimmy added Fingers Taylor on harp, Harry Dailey on bass and Phillip Fajardo on drums. Many people also know Roger as the writer/performer of “Fool for a Blonde” from the classic horror movie "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and from the many incarnations of his own bands, and as lead guitarist for cult favorite David Ippolito – That Guitarman from Central Park.
Roger started out in Little Rock, Arkansas playing Rock, Rhythm & Blues and Blues in clubs, roadhouses, proms and roller rinks all over the South and the Midwest. Entering the original music scene, his songwriting fueled these early bands. It took him to Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and finally to Nashville. Teaming up with fellow songwriter Bill Callery to form the acoustic duo, Lusaza, that took Roger and Bill to Austin, Texas.
Down in Austin, when Lusaza broke up, Roger happened to hook up with Jimmy Buffett for some of the most memorable gigs of his life. When Roger left the Coral Reefer Band, he ended up in New York City, playing gigs with his bands, doing studio work as a guitarist, producer and recording engineer, and writing music for film, TV and CDs.
As a singer/songwriter/lead guitarist Roger leads his own band delivering contemporary music that tips a hat both to the traditional blues forms and also to modern R&B styles. With his distinctive voice, smokin’ lead guitar work and twisted sense of humor, he is immediately identifiable and eminently enjoyable.