Foghat at Mahnomen on April 11

Foghat at Mahnomen on April 11, 2025

Bassett talks about his Career in Music

by Sue Gruman Kraft

Foghat will be performing at the Shooting Star Casino and Entertainment Center in Mahnomen on Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.starcasino.com
“We’ll have a good time,” states Foghat Guitarist Bryan Bassett. “It’s a Rock and Roll Party with us.” And “having a packed room, that brings up the rock and roll energy.”
Whether you are listening to “Slow Ride,” “Fool for the City,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” or “Third Time Lucky,” there is no mistaking the appeal that Foghat’s songs have for multiple generations of fans.
In 2025, Foghat celebrates 54 years of rock and roll history. This legendary classic rock band has produced numerous hit songs. Their latest album, Sonic Mojo, released in November 2023, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts and remained on the charts for thirty weeks.
In the current band, founding member Roger Earl continues his magic on the drums. Bryan Bassett performs on lead and slide guitar. Rodney O’Quinn playes on bass and vocals, and newest member Scott Holt plays on lead vocals and guitar.
Listening to “Drivin’ Wheel, “Stone Blue,” “Honey Hush, “Home in My Hand,” “Road Fever,” “Terraplane Blues,” or “Drivin On,” these songs played by Foghat just have an authenticity and musicality that attract the listeners.

The original members of the blues rock band Foghat were “Lonesome” Dave Peverett (lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist), Tony Stevens (bassist and backing vocalist), Roger Earl (drummer) and Rod Price (lead guitarist). They formed the band in London in January 1971 after leaving their previous group Savoy Brown. The band is known for its use of electric slide guitar, and for its 1975 hit “Slow Ride.”
“We carry on the Foghat traditions of our departed members,” guitarist Bryan Bassett states. “We carry on the Foghat Ride.”
Bryan Bassett has a career of over 40 years in the music industry, and 30 years of technical expertise. Bassett stated that in about 1972, after finishing high school, he turned down a scholarship to go to Ohio with a bunch of guys, rent a house, and start a band.
He started his career as a founding member of Wild Cherry. In 1976, that band became famous for the song “Play that Funky Music.” The group charted four more singles and toured.
Bassett stated that one of his most memorable moments was returning to his home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1976 and having his parents in attendance at the Civic Arena, where they performed a concert. It made him proud and happy for them to see his success, “for my parents to witness that,” he said.
During the 1980s, Bassett became a band leader and session guitarist in Pittsburgh. “During the ‘80s, I met Robert Greenlee, of King Snake Records, and I was excited to work with an independent record label.” From 1983 to 1989, he worked as a session guitarist for King Snake Studio, and he continued as a King Snake mix engineer until 1999. King Snake Studio was based in Sanford, Florida.
From 1989 to 1993, Bryan Bassett was a touring guitarist with Lonesome Dave’s Foghat. From 1993 to 1999, he was a guitarist for Molly Hatchet. Bryan Bassett became a permanent member of Foghat in 1999. His roles have included guitarist, songwriter, engineer and producer. He has been able to use the skills that he gained working in the industry to contribute to several of the bands albums.
Albums that Bassett has contributed to include Road Cases, Millenium Tour DVD, Family Joules, Live II, The Official Bootleg DVD, Volume 1, Not Live at the BBC, Last Train Home, Live in St. Pete, Under the Influence, Live at the Belly Up, and the latest album, Sonic Mojo.
According to the official Foghat bio, “Bassett not only played on and wrote most of these recordings, but also engineered, produced and mastered most of Foghat’s works since 2000. His technical proficiency and creative input have been crucial in maintaining the band’s signature sound, while allowing them to explore new musical territory.”
According to reviews, “Bassett’s slide guitar work and production skills have allowed him to infuse new energy into classic blues rock tracks, while maintaining an authentic feel.”
Since 1999, Bryan Bassett has operated primarily out of his home studio in Daytona Beach, in central Florida. He works not just with Foghat, but with other bands on Blues oriented projects. “His expertise in music and engineering allows him to communicate effectively with artists, integrating musical and technical aspects seamlessly.”
In 2007, Bryan was elected to be a board governor at the Florida Chapter of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences), serving two terms and then as an advisor.
In 2010, he became an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at Daytona State University for eight semesters. His knowledge of all aspects of the music world, along with his love of sharing his knowledge, helped in the careers of many of his students.
“I taught Contemporary Ensemble for the School of Rock,” Bassett explained. “I wanted the students to feel what it’s like being a musician in the studio,” he said. The school taught engineering and business skills. Students learned how to engineer records and make websites, valuable skills in the industry. Students also rehearsed songs and did performances, he said.
The music business has changed, Bassett stated. Now you can do a lot without leaving your home town. The current music business is now very entrepreneurial, he explained. Kids are expected to do it all themselves, start a business, self-promote, use the internet, and know how to do all of that before a label will look at them,” he explained.
“I tried to teach them that success is not that far away,” Basset said. “Do what you love, get yourself started, be a success and keep at it.”
“I try to tell the students, get involved in composition and collaboration, that’s where the money is. You get royalties for the rest of your life.”
Bryan is also very proud of his two daughters. One is a trauma nurse, who served during the COVID pandemic, and the other is currently a music major touring with her college.
The Sonic Mojo album was the result of much work by the band and in cooperation with others. They worked on the album for about two years, Bassett stated.
The song “She’s a Little Bit of Everything” was co-written by Foghat’s good friend Kim Simmonds from Savoy Brown, who sent them the lyrics and some basic tracks, before he passed away in December 2022. Kim Simmonds also contributed to “Drivin On’ and “Time Slips Away.”
The songs are a collaboration of work involving all of the band members, Bassett stated. “We are very much a collaborative writing team. Everyone brings something to the table.” Roger and Scott write lyrics. As guitarists, Bryan and Rodney work on an arrangement and put it together. They start with an idea, they all work on it, and they refine it before they perform it at a concert, he said.
The band works on several song ideas, uses them on tour, then works on them in his private studio. “It’s very easy for me to turn on the machines and capture it,” Bassett stated.
They put together 15 or 16 singles, then put the best 10 or 12 on the album, he said. Their normal schedule has been to make a live album, refine the songs, then make a studio album every two years. They are recording all the time, he said.
The members of Foghat all enjoy performing together. “If you can’t have fun in a rock band …. We all like each other, we’re like a family,” Bassett stated.
The band is traveling almost the entire year, but they are no longer on the tour bus. Now they fly out to a different state or region every weekend. They travel all over the United States. They fly out on Thursday, and come home on Sunday. Bryan Bassett joked about his many travel miles. They have plans to do some shows in England in November 2025.
“You get a little disconnected from traveling,” Bryan admitted. “I am very familiar with every major airport in the country.” Waking up in a different hotel room several days in a row can be confusing.
What are his favorite songs? Bryan Bassett commented that he likes “Slow Ride,” but that is usually the song they use for the end of their sets. He also likes many of the old deep covers.
“Something old, something new, something borrowed and some Blues,” is usually their recipe for putting together their set, Bassett said.
When it comes to slide guitar, Bassett said he enjoys the song “Stone Blue. He said he listened and watched how Rod Price used to play it and worked on his style. More than 60 percent of style is playing, he said.
What challenges him? “I always strive to be better,” Bassett said. “I like to learn something new.” He also likes to listen to new performers, those with natural ability, and he works hard to play better.
What does he enjoy the most about his work? “Meeting the people, seeing people have a great time. We want people to come in and have a great time. When we see people enjoy the music, get on their feet and have a good time.”
What is the future of Foghat? Bassett said the motto is: “Roll ‘til we’re old, and Rock ‘til you drop.” “We’ll do what we’re doing as long as we can, as long as people come to see us, until we can’t do it anymore.”

Foghat is celebrating 54 years of rock and roll in 2025. Left to right are Scott Holt, Rodney O’Quinn, Roger Earl and Bryan Bassett. (Photo Courtesy of Foghat)