Original Story on Channel 6 can be seen here.
Click video to play
ALBANY, N.Y. — He was New York’s first African American governor, the state’s first legally blind governor and now he may very well be the first to embark on a musical career.
With an eclectic mix of politicians on hand, and an intro from New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Gov. David Paterson took to the stage at Albany’s swanky War Room Tavern.
With his band Blind Dog Dave and the Pirate Throng, Paterson sang and strummed his Fender Stratocaster, belting out covers of songs from John Lee Hooker, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix.
It was during the pandemic that Paterson told his wife that he wanted to take up the guitar – again.
"I had taken guitar lessons in high school, but my parents told me I was wasting their money and the guitar teacher told me I was wasting his time because I never practiced," Paterson said. "But I never threw the guitar out."
So, he found a new teacher and he found his voice.
"What’s special is I remember these songs I used to like when I was young, and then I was taught the songs and could play them myself," Paterson said. "I would almost get a chill hearing myself playing and singing what I used to listen to for all those years."
Like the politician he was, and still is at heart, he made a special dedication, playing “My Girl” for Gov. Kathy Hochul. She wasn’t there, but the many politicians who were sang along.
Paterson summed up his musical journey by saying, "It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also difficult. Kind of like politics."
He was greeted warmly that night by members of both political parties, and treated like a rock star.
By the way, Albany's War Room Tavern, in the shadow of the New York State Capitol, is now firmly entrenched as the place to see and be seen when it comes to Albany politics.