Tom- I'd have to say that it comes from enjoying playing live as much as we do. Everybody in the band, who are all great players and singers, makes it a point of pride to go out there and nail it. And when you get the crowd rockin’ and responding that's where the fountain of youth part kicks in.
Why do you think your music has stayed prevalent today when so many other artists during your initial heyday have faded? I mean you’ve gained fans that weren’t even alive during that beginning.
Tom- Well, we've been fortunate in having sustained radio play throughout our career, and we tour quite a bit to keep the flow going in people's consciousness that we are still a vital and productive musical act. It hasn't hurt that a lot of younger listeners/ concert goers have discovered the band either through a parent, sibling or through downloading at the various musical sites that offer huge libraries of all genres of music. As to the bands that aren't still doing it, there are a myriad of reasons why bands either break up or quit being musically active on the live circuit. Personality friction, health issues, or lack of tunes that get sustained airplay. There are more, but those are all viable reasons. And there is also the road burn factor. People do get tired of the rigors of touring.
Recently you released A Brighter Day (off the album World Gone Crazy), which has already garnered a top spot at AC radio, because it’s got that uplifting feel that really is perfect for the approaching Christmas holiday, how’d that evolve?
Tom- A Brighter Day does have a musically uplifting feel to it with a message tied in that offers hope, which seems to be a dwindling commodity in today’s 24 hr news onslaught. The song came about like everything else I write in that it starts with the way the track feels before the lyrics are written. In this case the Caribbean part was probably a result of the steel drums. But, the drums, bass and a powerful performance by Billy Payne on piano and B3 really gave the track the basis for where the lyrics evolved from. Then using some incredible singers (Dorian Holley, Nayanna Holley, Siedah Garret, and Darryl Phinnessee) to bolster our harmonies we already had and add the breakdown section vocal idea really took it to another level yet again.
What drove you to rerecord your very first single Nobody for the recent album?
Tom- Re-doing Nobody was something Ted Templeman really wanted to do for this album, because it was the first song we ever put out and he always felt, and rightfully so, that the song didn't get a credible shot in the studio. I think the new version is quite an improvement from the original in all aspects. The parts that Mike Hossack, John McFee, and Pat Simmons all came up with really took the song to another level.
It took quite a long time for the album to come alive so was that just a matter of finding the right lyrics or just other things needing to be addressed first?
Tom- It was due to a combination of factors that the album was as long in the making as it was. First being deciding on using Ted to produce the album, second choosing the tunes to be recorded and getting his input on where we were headed both musically and lyrically. We cut the actual basics in L.A. and went out on the road. This combination continued throughout the project and that slowed down the album's progress. But, it was also helpful, because it gave us a chance to live with where the songs were and speaking for myself, a few tunes were revisited and changed considerably from the original basic tracks. There were also times when Ted wasn't available and other artists being used on tunes was another reason for "time expansion".
Should fans expect to hear another album down the road, hopefully not ten years later or have you gotten to the point that 13 studio albums isn’t the unlucky number most believe it is?
Tom- Even though the album has been out for a little over a year we just released A Brighter Day in mid-September and we've been literally all over the world promoting this project since before it dropped so there's really been no time for considering anything new. I write songs all the time and I'm sure Pat has been too, but we haven't had any discussions about new tunes or projects.
If you do decide to produce another album, could we expect Michael McDonald and Willie Nelson to collaborate once again or are other plans in motion?
Tom- I'd have to say I have no idea for all the reasons I listed above. But anything is possible.
While the band has had a great deal of success over the years and collaborated with some high profile artists and producers, are there any out there today you’d love to work with?
Tom- I can only speak for myself here, but I think it would be a kick to work with the band MUSE, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, The Raconteurs, The Roots, Bruno Mars and maybe a country act like we did with Luke Bryan on CMT Crossroads or Allison Krause. The possibilities are endless. It's finding the time and the mutual interest in both acts getting together and actually doing it. I enjoy all these people's work and quite a few more, but that's what I can think of right now.
Do you have any other projects in the works?
Tom- As I said, I've always got a tune or tunes that I'm currently working on and I've had conversations with other writers about getting together and writing some tunes. It's just a matter of carving out the time.
What’s it like touring today compared with your early years in the band?
Tom- It's pretty different in the traveling aspect as far as mode of transportation. We used to have a plane we leased and now, like most everyone else, we travel by bus. As far as the actual performing I'd say that we play better now than we ever have from putting in the effort to be as good as we can be on our instruments and our vocals. Other than that it hasn't really changed a great deal. But the "Almost Famous" days are but a memory (or not)
In closing, what advice would you give an upcoming artist in regard to maintaining longevity in the industry?
Tom- It's probably redundant, but practice as much as you can in whatever way you find comfortable, because repetition is what leads to the best performances and songs if you’re a writer. Then choose a path you want to follow as far as getting you music out there, because the whole business has changed and the internet has become an integral part of that change. But, playing as often and for as many people as you can always has, and still is a staple for getting somewhere in this business. You have to develop a fan base no matter what.
