An enigmatic character who always shunned publicity, J.J. Cale adopted the
initials JJ to avoid confusion with John Cale of Velvet Underground. Born in
Oklahoma but raised in Tulsa, his distinctive guitar playing, laid-back vocals,
shuffling rhythms and free-thinking fusions of rock, jazz, blues and country
originated a style that became known as the "Tulsa sound." His shyness and
rejection of the star system ensured that he remained a cult attraction, but his
standing among his contemporaries has always been high. At 21 Cale moved to
Nashville and worked for a while with the Gra...