 |
| Posted: Thu Jan 13th, 2011 01:44 pm |
|
1st Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
Interview from http://www.southernfriedmagazine.com with Bruce Brown
Written by Teri Merchant
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
SF: It's a real pleasure to meet you, Bruce. Thank you for doing this interview. For those who only know you as Charlie Daniels' guitar player, this CD is definitely a huge leap in a totally different direction. Has this compilation of music been a work in progress over many years?
Bruce: Yes, in the sense that I had most of the songs or song ideas for quite awhile. I’ve been writing and recording my own tunes since the mid 80’s, so I have a stockpile of things I can go to, to record. So for this CD I grabbed twelve of my best tunes and ran with them.
SF: What made you decide it was time to get your work out there?
Bruce: I felt like there wasn’t an outlet for a lot of what I was writing, I mean let’s face it, Kenny Chesney is not cutting guitar instrumentals, so rather that try to pitch tunes for other artists to cut I figured I’d create my own outlet and do a CD. Plus I was listening to a lot of contemporary jazz on Pandora radio and kept thinking I can do that, I got songs that good. So I did it. Plus every year Charlie asks me to write and do a song during our CDB show, and people kept asking if I had recorded the songs, where they could get a copy, or when I was going to make my own CD. So I finally did.
SF: There's quite a variation of styles of music on "Off The Edge" and you've certainly crossed over a few genres, for lack of a better word. Where do you think your inspiration comes from?
Bruce: From everything I’ve heard since I was born. I’ve always loved music. All styles and all flavors and have spent my life trying to play all of it. So a little bit of everything I have listened to and played for forty years comes out.
SF: You and I are almost the same age and most likely grew up listening to the same music. I can hear some of those influences in a few of your songs....Steely Dan, Allan Parsons for instance. What artists would you say may have had the strongest influence in what you're writing today?
Bruce: Everything goes back to The Beatles for me. Their music was burned into my brain as a child because I listened over and over to all their records. I feel lucky to have been raised in an era where I heard such great songs. The list of influences would be enormous, but to name a few really big ones. BB King, Chet Atkins, Larry Carlton, Leo Kottke, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Eric Clapton, Roy Buchanan, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, John Forerty, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Motown and all the great music on AM Radio in the 60’s.
SF: When did you know music was what you wanted to do with your life?
Bruce: When I was about fifteen me and my friend Danny who played drums, were hired to play with a couple of older guys in a band they were forming. We did our first gig at a club outside of Carbondale, IL and at the end of the night the bandleader handed me fifty bucks, and I thought “ This is what I’m going to do “ I loved it and got paid too. My mind was made up and I never looked back.
SF: There's a real bluesy / jazz feel throughout most of the album, which is basically the root of everything we've been listening to for many generations, especially in rock and roll. Do you listen to a lot of the old blues or jazz artists?
Bruce: Yes. I discovered the blues through English rock players like Clapton, Page and Beck. I would read that Eric liked Muddy Waters so I would go buy one of his records. So as a teen I was listening to John Lee Hooker, Muddy, Howlin Wolf, Fred McDowell, and all the Kings, BB, Albert, Freddie and all that stuff. BB said he liked Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, T Bone Walker and Barney Kessel, so he led me to jazz. Billie Holiday, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery and the list and history goes back and back. I searched it out and soaked it up.
SF: What instruments do you play on the CD?
Bruce: I played all the guitar parts on the CD. I played some Dobro on a couple tunes. I played some very easy keyboard parts, but make no mistake I’m no keyboard player. I played some percussion, but that means I banged on a cowbell or shook a tambourine.
SF: Did you collaborate with anyone else during the writing process or was this pretty much a solo project?
Bruce: No. I wrote all the songs by myself.
SF: Do you have any plans to perform any of the songs on your own somewhere down the road?
Bruce: I do play and sing one of my songs in Charlie Daniels Band shows. I also play out in Nashville now and then, and when I do I always play original songs, some of which are on this CD. If the opportunity came up to open a show for someone or something like that I would do it, but I’m not actively pursuing solo gigs. I’ve done enough of that to know, being a bandleader is not always fun.
SF: What were you doing before you joined The Charlie Daniels Band?
Bruce: I played guitar and was bandleader for Mel McDaniel for six years, prior to joining Charlie. Before that I was a sideman for several Nashville country artists, Tommy Cash, Margo Smith, Gail Davies. I played clubs, did demo sessions, whatever I had to do to pay the rent.
SF: When did you join The CDB and did you have to audition for the job?
Bruce: I did audition and joined in June, 1989.
SF: What part do you share in the writing process with The Charlie Daniels Band?
Bruce: When we get together to work on a new record, a lot of times Charlie will have a rough idea for a song and we’ll jam on the idea and offer up our own ideas. So I’m not shy about throwing my two cents worth in to help with a track or an arrangement. In that way it’s a group effort. Charlie always writes the words to his songs. If it’s one of mine I usually have the lyric.
SF: This may be a difficult question to answer because there are so many, but what is your favorite CDB song - or songs if you can't name just one?
Bruce: We did a Christmas Album the first year I was in the band and Charlie wrote a song called “Jesus Is The Light Of The World.” It may be my favorite Charlie song. It’s got all the elements of a great tune. Beautiful melody and harmony, and the poetry of the lyric can bring a tear to your eye.
SF: How many tours overseas has the band done for our troops and what is that like for you? It must be quite satisfying but on the other hand I would think it may be a bit difficult, too.
Bruce: I can’t recall all of them because we have done so many, but we have been to Iraq three times. We’ve entertained troops in Kosovo, Germany, Cuba, Kuwait and Afghanistan to name a few. It is one of the most rewarding things I have done as a musician. It feels good to be able to make those folks happy for a few hours, so they can forget that they’re thousands of miles away from their loved ones, or in a war zone, and might nor be home for a year or more. I’m honored to do it.
SF: Is there another Volunteer Jam planned for the near future?
Bruce: Not that I am aware of.
SF: Most people may not know this, but the dobro version of Dixie used at the end of "Freebird: The Movie" is you. Did you record that specifically for the movie?
Bruce: Yes. Charlie brought me into the studio to record that. He knew it was for the end scene, the plane crash scene and wanted me to play a very sad lonesome version of Dixie. He talked me through the arrangement and we cut in one or two takes. Real quick. Me, Charlie and an engineer. One thing I’d like to add is the Dobro I played that on was one that Ronnie Van Zant had given to Charlie many years ago, so that’s pretty special. I also used that same guitar on Charlies song “ Simple Man. “
SF: What's the best part of being in The Charlie Daniels Band?
Bruce: I get to play my guitar. That may sound silly, but over the years I’ve had gigs where I just copied the records and played some studio guys part. It was like being a human jukebox. With the CDB I get to really play and express myself and be myself. Plus in the studio we record such a diverse bunch of music, one day it might be blues the next day bluegrass. For someone who enjoys all types of music I couldn’t ask for a better gig.
SF: Thanks again for the interview, Bruce, and good luck with the new CD!
You can listen to and purchase Bruce's CD on his website. Stop on by and take a listen, I think you'll like what you hear!
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 19th, 2011 06:08 am |
|
2nd Post |
Liska
Forum Member
| Joined: | Sun Oct 30th, 2005 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 401 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Great interview Bruce!
We love you!
____________________
9 days until mt juliet...yaaaaaaaay!!!!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 19th, 2011 07:19 pm |
|
3rd Post |
bellard
Administrator
|
Who is this guy?
____________________
We'll miss you Super-Sic
Ciao Marco! #58
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 19th, 2011 07:21 pm |
|
4th Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
Former drummer for Barry Manilow?
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 29th, 2011 08:33 am |
|
5th Post |
| Posted: Sat Apr 23rd, 2011 02:57 pm |
|
6th Post |
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2011 01:52 pm |
|
7th Post |
| Posted: Mon May 30th, 2011 02:23 pm |
|
8th Post |
BruceBrownRules
Forum Member
|
bellard wrote:
Who is this guy?
David have you figured out who he is yet? LOL
____________________
I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed
JJ...shouldn't they be afraid...very afraid? we too are cut from the same cloth!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 4th, 2011 03:25 pm |
|
9th Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
OFF THE EDGE
Bruce Brown will have his newest CD available at the fan club party on June 8th, and will autograph it for you! I expect right after the show, or whenever you see him at the table. Buy 1, buy 2 or 3 for gifts!! 
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
HOKIE
Administrator
|
Here's the latest interview from Vintage Guitar Magazine. Pick up a copy of the magazine and Off The Edge if you haven't already!!
Off The Edge
Self-distributed
Bruce Brown, whose day job is filling
the guitar chair for Charlie Daniels, of-
fers up an eclectic mix of music on his
new solo disc, Off the Edge.
Immediately impressive is the taste
and patience with which Brown plays.
He’s not in your face with solos, as the
melody of soul tunes like “Trap Jaw” are
often the highlight. The song features
Brown and saxophonist John Heinrich
teasing the melody until it’s very stuck
in your head. No dazzling displays of
virtuosity, just a great song.
Most of the tunes make obvious nods
to pop music of the past, along with soul
and some country. Harmonized guitar
parts highlight songs like “Opposites
Attract,” which sounds like a breezy
pop hit from the West Coast circa ’78.
Atmospheric slide is the highlight of
the pop ballad “Before the Fall.” Some
jazz influences enter the picture on cuts
like “Where’s Migs?” with its guitar and
sax interplay and the tasty, popping solo
from Brown. And “How Does It Feel”
is a breezy tune with the lovely melody
being stated by Brown on guitar and
Casey Wood on vibes. It’s a song that
has “smooth jazz hit” written all over it.
After years in the business, Off the
Edge is a perfect release from a guitarist
with diverse tastes and influences. – JH
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 20th, 2011 10:15 pm |
|
11th Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUCE BROWN!!
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 20th, 2011 10:24 pm |
|
12th Post |
BruceBrownRules
Forum Member
|
Happy Birthday Bruce!
____________________
I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed
JJ...shouldn't they be afraid...very afraid? we too are cut from the same cloth!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 20th, 2011 11:50 am |
|
13th Post |
WanderingMoose
Forum Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 24th, 2011 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 3 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
I bought Bruce's CD at the CDB show last night and I'm glad I did. It's really good, very cool!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 20th, 2011 11:53 am |
|
14th Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
Bruce said he was playing slightly off key on one of his solo's last night. Did you notice? I'm sure it sounded fine!
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 21st, 2011 07:15 pm |
|
15th Post |
| Posted: Tue Nov 29th, 2011 04:28 pm |
|
16th Post |
HOKIE
Administrator
|
I think on this tuesday, known as TOT to some, it would be a good idea to buy Bruce Brown's CD, or two, for Christmas gifts!
____________________
That's How You Do It Son!!
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 29th, 2011 05:16 pm |
|
17th Post |
bellard
Administrator
|
Not just for X-mas but for any occasion or special someone...
Buy early, buy often!
____________________
We'll miss you Super-Sic
Ciao Marco! #58
|
|
Back To Top
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 26th, 2012 04:14 pm |
|
18th Post |
|
|
|
