Interview with Scott Bomar

Music writer Bob Mehr asks notable Memphians about their musical firsts and favorites. This week: Scott Bomar, leader of the Bo-Keys and noted film and TV composer.

What’s in your CD player, I-pod or turntable at the moment?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Isaac Hayes recently. After his passing, I pulled out all the records I had by him. Also, we’ve been working on some music for the film “Soul Men.” So a lot of Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas and William Bell. And a lot of the local Memphis groups involved in “$5 Cover” Craig Brewer’s project … like Two Way Radio, Jack Oblivian, and Muck Sticky.

What was the first record you bought and where?

The first records I had, I didn’t necessarily buy them. My mother’s record collection was really influential. The record she had that got me into a lot of the music I’m into was “Scratchy” by Travis Wammack on 45.

What was your first concert and where?

I saw Tav Falco and the Panther Burns and Cordell Jackson perform together at Overton Park.

If push comes to shove, what would you say is your favorite record of all time?

The one album I got back to and never gets old to me is Big Boss Man by Frank Frost and the Jelly Roll Kings. It’s on Phillips International. It’s one of the last albums that Sam Phillips produced, I believe. It really drives.

What, if anything, do you sing in the shower?

I wouldn’t say I sing in the shower, but I have a radio in my bathroom and usually I’m listening to WDIA, or the easy listening station. Sometimes when Frank Sinatra songs come on I’ll probably sing those.

If you could be any musician, living or dead, other than yourself, who would it be?

Charles Mingus or Miles Davis.

What’s your party jam? And your chill out record?

Jack Oblivian and the Tearjerkers, The Flipside Kid — that’s a good record to put on before you go out on a weekend night. Chill out record would be The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus, or some mid-period Miles Davis, or maybe Bobby Womack, Womack in Memphis or Fly Me to the Moon.