The roots of Black Salt Road

      In 1968, some high school kids in Jackson Mississippi started a band. They were part of the wave of teenagers with a little musical ability, but most importantly with accommodating and/or long-suffering parents who allowed them to play extremely loud music in their garages. These six guys played cover tunes like so many other high school bands. But they had two secret weapons: manager Buster Corley (future founder and CEO of Dave and Buster’s international restaurant chain) and Mike Moss, an incredible guitar player who could listen to any song and quickly master the complex guitar techniques of Page, Clapton, Hendrix, Beck, etc., whose songs were on the band’s playlist. Black Salt’s band members included Mike Moss, Craig Izard and four other guys who were not insignificant but do not play a part in this story. Mike and Craig lived fifteen minutes apart. Their band became extremely successful as far as Mississippi high school bands go. Buster was a natural born entrepreneur and knew just how to promote them. They won the 1969 Mississippi Rock Festival and secured free recording sessions in Malaco Recording Studio, which became the renowned world class blues studio it is today. But they quickly realized that they had hit the glass ceiling for great cover bands – they had no original music to record. That was the end of their high school band. They all stayed active in music while Black Salt was but a faded memory preserved in faded, blurry black and white photos and promotional flyers. But that experience was the impetus for the future songwriters the majority of them became.

Mike became enchanted with the distinct guitar style of Wes Montgomery and redirected his playing toward Jazz. He didn’t play in any band for thirty years. Craig switched from bass to guitar and started writing his own music and lyrics. He was a member of Jim Bob & the Leisure Suits, featured in the Alabama edition of the Oxford American Southern Music issue. He has performed with legendary rhythm & blues artist Roscoe Robinson and recorded with Mystic Knights of the C featuring Elnora Spencer, the Cosmic Snakehandlers and its off-shoot, The Lonesome Snakes. His songs were featured in the campy movie musical, “Elvis's Grave”.

Bob the drummer (who does turn out to be significant) bought an H.G. Wells styled Time Machine. I’d say it was a replica, but you be the judge. He kept it in his garage. Separately, Mike and Craig stepped into the contraption and found themselves in Birmingham, Alabama around the year 2003. Again, Mike was living fifteen minutes away from Craig.  They had not been in contact with each other since 1969. Mike joined Craig in his current band, the Cosmic Snakehandlers, playing upright bass and guitar. Mike’s interest in jazz fired up again and he left the Snakes, devoting his time on honing his jazz skills. In 2019, he recorded a solo guitar album, “Mad Man’s Dance” and later “Just in Time”.

Randal Crow fits in, just not with Mike’s and Craig’s shared history.  He played in bands off and on over the years, with an amazing ear for the rhythms of music and for all things creative. Craig and Randy have played together on various occasions, but mostly for small, private gatherings of musicians and artists. Randy is also a cinematographer and still photographer. He both teaches and practices these crafts.

In 2025, a revival of sorts occurred. Mike, Craig and Randy decided to unite and record some of the many songs Craig has written over the years featuring Mike’s jazz style and Randy’s world rhythms. They set off in an old El Camino in search of a wicked halo to Sheffield, Alabama, home of the NuttHouse Recording Studio. With the help of an amazing engineer, Cody Simmons, Black Salt Road was born. No nostalgia. Something brand new. It’s a coming home to that old loving road of sorts.

Melody Izard