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Ben Sparaco (Ben Sparaco and The New Effect) interview questions &answers April 2018www.magnoliaroads.com/ben-sparacowww.bensparaco.comWhat is the most person song you have? What makes it so personal?My song “Soul Miner” is probably the most personal to me because it’sabout the struggles of getting through to somebody that was close to meand getting them to open up.Favorite topic to write about? Why?I generally like to write stories that may or may not be loosely based onmy own life. I think writing using characters and fictional scenarioshelps to make the songs less specific and makes it easier for people toconnect with them in different ways. It also gives me the ability to kindof create another world in our songs.Craziest thing that’s ever happened while on stage (issues, crazy fans,losing power, etc.?)When I was touring with Butch Trucks (founding member anddrummer of the Allman Brothers Band) I turned around during“Mountain Jam” to see him smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen. Thatwas surreal.Who are your musical influences? Why?Jerry Garcia, Derek Trucks, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan, and DavidByrne. They all went against the grain and carved their own path.5) First album you ever bought?Probably American Idiot by Green Day or Ocean Avenue byYellowcard.First live concert you ever attended?Van Halen and Ziggy Marley, 2008.Are you a “superfan” of any band?I grew up as an Allman Brothers superfan and eventually because asuperfan of the Grateful Dead. I wouldn’t consider myself a current“superfan” of anybody.What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musicion? Whotaught it to you?It’s all about your intention, no matter what you play. Thank youColonel Bruce Hampton.If you had to bring two albums with you to listen to for the rest of yourlife–what would they be?A Love Supreme by John Coltrane and The Times They Are A-Changing by Bob Dylan.What’s your dream venue to play?Red Rocks or the Beacon Theatre.What’s your favorite food on the road? (Why?)I pound back Clif bars all the time on the road because they’re cheap,fill you up, and have quality ingredients! We don’t always have time fora full meal.Why didn’t you become a banker? Or, if you weren’t a musician whatwould you be?Dead.Bonus?! What makes you most excited about playing the MagRdsAmerican Roots III weekend shows?Lots of friends on the lineup and a lot of opportunities to play withdifferent people.
Don Gallardo interview questions & answers April 2018
www.dongallardo.com
Don Gallardo interview questions & answers April 2018
www.dongallardo.com
Who are your musical influences? The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Elton John, CCR, The Grateful Dead, Stevie Wonder, Queen, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly
First live concert you ever attended? Guns n Roses
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician? Just be you. You write great songs so don’t try to imitate anyone else. Just play how you feel and play every show like you are playing to the biggest crowd you’ve ever played to. Who taught it to you? Chuck Day (musician from my hometown. He’s the one who wrote the riff on the song “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers. He also played Bass with the Mamas & the Papas and he also played second guitar on “Monday, Monday” and “California Dreamin’”
If you had to bring two albums with you to listen to for the rest of your life–what would they be? Cephas & Wiggins – Cool Down and The Beatles – Revolver
What’s your dream venue to play? Ryman
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James Scott Bullard interview questions & answers April 2018www.magnoliaroads.com/james–scott–bullardwww.jamescottbullard.comWhat is the most person song you have? What makes it so personal?Definitely “Back to You.” Because it’s about my son, and how he’s soamazing despite my bad decisions in life.Favorite topic to write about? Why?My bad decisions…i.e.: Women, my self-destructive nature, etc. It’s suchgood source material!Craziest thing that’s ever happened while on stage (issues, crazy fans,losing power, etc.?)I got electrocuted! My hand was on my guitar, my mouth was on the micand my boots were standing in a beer the opening act spilled. I didn’t knowthere was a hole in my boot. The soundman figured it out quickly andGorilla taped my boots…On with the show!Who are your musical influences? Why?Hank Williams Sr., Waylon Jennings, Lightnin’ Hopkins. Because theyunderstood that keeping the formula simple, to the point and telling the truthwas how you get to folks.First album you ever bought?Kiss-‘Destroyer”First live concert you ever attended?WhitesnakeAre you a “superfan” of any band?W.A.S.P. or PanteraWhat is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician? Whotaught it to you?“The entertainment industry is a lot like following an elephant with ashovel”-Actual advice from David Allan Coe.“If everybody likes you, you’re doin’ it wrong!” and “Learn to bum cigarettesor quit smoking.”-Actual advice from Butch Walker.If you had to bring two albums with you to listen to for the rest ofyour life–what would they be?Waylon Jennings-“Honky-Tonk Heroes” and The Rolling Stones-“StickyFingers”What’s your dream venue to play?The Ryman.11) What’s your favorite food on the road? (Why?)Welches Fruit Snacks-My Road manager got me addicted and they’re aneasy, quick go to.Why didn’t you become a banker? Or, if you weren’t a musicianwhat would you be?I can not do safe. Tom Waits once said: “Normal, well adjusted people don’get written about.”…I don’t read about bankers a lot. If I wasn’t a musician I’d bea grave digger because the clients are easy to deal with I hear.Bonus?! What makes you most excited about playing the MagRdsAmerican Roots III weekend shows?The opportunity to share the stage with so many great artists. Plus, I neverhave a bad time in Nashville.
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Rich Mahan interview questions & answers April 2018www.magnoliaroads.com/rich-mahanwww.richmahan.comWhat is the most person song you have? What makes it so personal?a lot of my songs are about true stories, so in a sense they are all personal.Momma Found My bong is an honest to God true story. Doesn’t get muchmore personal than getting busted by your parentsFavorite topic to write about? Why?Life and love. I love to share the universal qualities of the human existencein a song.Craziest thing that’s ever happened while on stage (issues, crazy fans,losing power, etc.?)I think every musicians has had their share of bad gigs where the soundsucked, etc… I just remember the gigs where everything clicked and the linebewteen the audience and the stage / band just dissolved. that’s magicalwhen that happensWho are your musical influences? Why?Whatever moves me and makes me take notice. It could be the waysomeone talks, or the way a woman moves her hips when she walks, or LeoNocentelli’s guitar solo in Dr. John’s Right place wrong time.First album you ever bought?45rpm single of Van Halen’s Dance The Night AwayFirst live concert you ever attended?Rolling StonesAre you a “superfan” of any band?Grateful DeadWhat is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician? Whotaught it to you? Stick up for yourself and don’t let club owners push you around. MerlSaunders.If you had to bring two albums with you to listen to for the rest of your life–what would they be?The Who – Quadrophenia and Grateful Dead Europe 72What’s your dream venue to play?Royal Albert HallWhat’s your favorite food on the road? (Why?)BBQ or Mexican food. Because when they are done right, they are as goodand any haute cuise anywhereWhy didn’t you become a banker? Or, if you weren’t a musicianwhat would you be?Music is a calling. when you are called it won’t stop until you answer.Bonus?! What makes you most excited about playing the MagRdsAmerican Roots III weekend shows?Getting to hang with a ton of good friends I haven’t seen in a while andplaying for an appreciative crowd!
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Taylor Kropp interview questions & answers April 2018www.magnoliaroads.com/taylor–kroppwww.taylorkroppmusic.comWhat is the most person song you have? What makes it so personal? –Even If You’re Wrong. I was just so frustrated by how people were treatingeach other in the post 2016 Trump election that I had to put it to paper.Favorite topic to write about? Why? – Heartbreak. You can’t ever havetoo many love songs right?Craziest thing that’s ever happened while on stage (issues, crazy fans,losing power, etc.?)– One time while playing in Cheyenne, Wyoming the doors flew open andthe club flooded with cops and drug dogs. Turns outthere was a Meth dealer selling out of the bathroom stall. He had kidnappeda client who owed him money and the cops were searching for him. Whenthey found the prisoner he alerted the cops to the dealer was selling down atthe club we were playing. I remember they found a gun in the trash and theyescorted him out in handcuffs.Who are your musical influences? Why? –Allman Brothers Band. Pure musicianship of the highest caliber. And they were soyoung as well. Dwight Yoakam cause he doesn’t take shit. Tom Petty. See answer for DwightYoakam. Jackson Browne. A true American Poet. My guitar teacher JohnGarcia. One of the best men I’ve known. Pure class and musicianship.First album you ever bought? – Steven Curtis Chapman. Christian artisthaha.First live concert you ever attended? ^ See above.Are you a “superfan” of any band? – Allman Brothers. I can hang withany trivia.What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician? Whotaught it to you? – Take every gig cause you never know where it will lead.Also take any gig for any amount of money because it’s more important tosee what you’ve earned at the end of the month then at the end of the day.If you had to bring two albums with you to listen to for the rest ofyour life–what would they be? – Layla and other Assorted Love Songs byDerek and the Dominos and Dwight Yoakam’s A Long Way Home.What’s your dream venue to play? –Fox Theatre in Oakland.What’s your favorite food on the road? (Why?) Chipotle. If you do itright you can get two meals out of one.Why didn’t you become a banker? Or, if you weren’t a musicianwhat would you be?I would open my own coffee shop in the middle ofMontana. And play Jazz guitar there in between making coffee.Bonus?! What makes you most excited about playing the MagRdsAmerican Roots III weekend shows? – Jamming and hanging with so manygreat musicians. And seeing Don Gallardo sing. He’s a great artist.