Chris Rea: Derek Trucks should be a household name

Chris Rea

Chris Rea says Derek Trucks would be a household name if it wasn’t for the music industry’s current turbulence.

And the British musician has cited his experience with his 1988 seasonal single Driving Home For Christmas as an example of what streaming and illegal downloading has done to the prospects of future big names.

Rea tells Music Radar: “Every Christmas we got a nice little present off God, you know, with sales.

“Since it’s gone on YouTube the shortfall is over 90%, because people don’t need to buy the record.”

He continues: “I’m lucky – we did very well. I feel sorry for the young Chris Reas, who aren’t stars but love music. They don’t have anywhere to go with the music.”

Former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Trucks, 37, is one of the younger artists Rea, 65, worries about.

“Derek – it’s just criminal what’s happened to his potential sales, because of what’s happened to the business,” he says.

“In the old world I’d have picked up a paper, or watched an Old Grey Whistle Test style programme, and seen this new kid who’s extremely different to everyone.

“He should be a household name.”

Rea just released a deluxe version of his 1996 album La Passione, consisting of two CDs, two DVDs and a 72-page book. Trucks is touring North America with his Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Tedeschi Trucks tour dates 2016

Jul 13: Saratoga Springs Wheels Of Soul Tour, NY
Jul 15: Bangor Lobos and North Mississippi Allstars, ME
Jul 16: Gilford New Hampshire Pavilion, NH
Jul 17: Vienna Filene Center, VA
Jul 20: Bethel Woods Center, NY
Jul 22: Cary Koka Booth Amphitheatre, NC
Jul 23: Alpharetta Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, GA
Jul 24: Charlotte North Mississippi Allstars, NC
Jul 27: Indianapolis Wheels Of Soul Tour, IN
Jul 29: Huber Heights Rose Music Center, OH
Jul 30: Cincinnati PNC Pavilion, OH
Jul 31: Sterling Heights Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, MI
Aug 02: Tulsa Mississippi Brady Theater, OK
Aug 04: Albuquerque Sandia Casino Amphitheater, NM
Aug 05: Morrison Red Rocks Amphitheatre, CO
Aug 07: Salt Lake City Red Butte Garden, UT
Aug 27: Arrington Lockn’ Music Festival, VA
Sep 02: Scottsdale Pool at Talking Stick, AZ
Sep 03: San Diego Copley Symphony Hall, CA
Sep 04: Avila Beach Golf Resolt, CA
Sep 06: Arcata Van Duzer Theatre, CA
Sep 08: Oakland Fox Theater, CA
Sep 09: Oakland Fox Theater, CA
Sep 10: Lake Tahoe MontBleu Resort Casino, NV
Sep 12: Jacksonville Britt Pavilion, OR
Sep 13: Bend Peak Summer Nights, OR
Sep 14: Seattle McCaw Hall, WA
Sep 16: Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre, CA
Sep 17: Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre, CA
Sep 30: New York Beacon Theatre, NY
Oct 01: New York Beacon Theatre, NY
Oct 04: New York Beacon Theatre, NY
Oct 05: New York Beacon Theatre, NY
Oct 07: New York Beacon Theatre, NY
Oct 08: New York Beacon Theatre, NY

An Interview With The Straight-Talking, No-F**ks-Given Chris Rea

The Songs That Built Tedeschi Trucks

Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.

Latest in
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Tony Banks
“You only have to hear the opening sweep to reach for your lighter and wave it in the air”: Tony Banks' greatest Genesis moments
The Horrors
Ghouls Aloud: The Horrors come back from the dead with "a dazzling nocturnal spectacle of sombre reflections and oozing catharsis"
Latest in News
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Bruce Dickinson in 2024 and a painting of William Blake in 1759
“This deluxe edition contains actual soil from the grave of William Blake”: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson is releasing a comic book compilation with dirt from the resting place of one of England’s most famous poets
Steven Wilson in 2015 and Playboi Carti in 2025
“I’ve been touring around indie record stores, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s even heard of Playboi Carti”: Steven Wilson comments on chart battle with superstar rapper