Joey Williams, On the Road Again

It's 12:30 on a Wednesday morning. Five Time Grammy Award Winner and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Joey Williams has the keen insight from The Blind Boys of Alabama and he is riding co-pilot tonight. After a bigger then life rehearsal for his upcoming show this Friday Joey opened up to me about his life on the road and a revealing portrait of his life through his own words and his own take on who he is from where has has come from. The journey Joey explained to me on our two hour drive back to the Bronx explains clearly why he is essential to the music fans he plays for and the music artists who continue to acquire his talents on collaborative projects from Robert Randolph to future soundtrack work for films. This is a unique night for me to witness the roots of Joey as a music artist, a humanitarian and a friend. Tonight my recording and the interview that took place was as close to a storyteller experience as I have ever had. Joey is the artist and I was the audience.

Williams is sitting in with with Marc Sincavage & Special Guest "The Breakfast" at Skappo (Playright, 144 Temple Street New Haven, CT) in New Haven, Connecticut. The rehearsal was held garage band style in the basement of an Optometrist office in the middle of Hamden, Connecticut. The feeling was relaxed and vibrant. It's just what happens when a local band and a music legend combine in the last place on Earth to play good music. The harmonies were tight, the music was balanced, and the room was hopping to the chicken plucking guitar strings to the heart thumping beat of the bass drum. A Hammond Organ became the cherry on top of this musical sundae sprinkled with the colorful culmination of throw back vibes to current day hit songs. It's not how you play the instrument, it's how the instrument plays you. Remember that folks because this night belonged to the love of music and not for the free meals of candy stashed in the upstairs containers of the eye doctor's office of where we hid from the outside world.

The feel on the drive home had a different feel, but over all Joey and myself sat back to the sounds of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash who collaborated together for a VH-1 story teller concert some years back. It's the kind of CD that never gets old and the where stories become fairy tales of days gone by. "On the Road Again" started to play and Joey grew excited in the seat as a husky Pete passed out in the back from too much something-a-rather. Just the sounds of mumbles and how Willie Nelson was talking to him through the music caught my ear in between my own personal momentary lapse of reality. The movie in my mind played over and over again. A looping picture of my soul's mate walking towards me in the hallway of the JFK airport terminal. The smile of smiles, the embrace of embraces, and the start of my new life some seventy, yes seventy, pounds lighter. "..and I just can't wait to get on the road again." The song ended and I pressed record on my digital recorder and what happened next was my first deep interview for backstage blogger. An up close and truly personal insight to one of today's most talented guitarists, Joey Williams.

"That used to be one of my mottos. I used to be serious about that tune. I lived that song right there. I remember when the song first came out. When I was growing up and I was on the road. I hadn't been home in a long time from being on the road and I would start singing that." Joey explained to me just before breaking into song, "...and I can't wait to get on the road again." I asked him what is his road was and where his road was bringing him to. He sat back in his seat, pressed his head back on the head rest and with a deep sigh said, "The road was a place to travel on to get to my friends and my family. Back then we weren't traveling around the world. Traveling around the world came later. Back then we were just traveling around the country. We traveled on 95, 85 (Joey laughed lightly), all over the place." Joey's traveling started at the early age of eleven when he was living in Florida. He would travel with his father's quartet, he would perform on stage with the band, and that is initially how he started his life on the road. It's been a grandiose road with collaborations and fill in cameos with such incredible musicians such as Robert Randolph, Dave Hollister, and Keith Sweat. His family life on the road exposed him at an early age to the various cultures, the mindsets of the people, and the ability to grow up with no boundaries through his music. "My mother and father would take us down to the Wilson, North Carolina area where my family and I would spend our summers being a family. That was my road back then. Today it's about playing in the church and always listening to music."

Unlike some music artists, Joey's family is still alive for the most part. His mother and father have shared each step of his success as did his siblings. He recounted one of his aunts who passed some time ago and how her passing was short of the success. She was one person who he hoped would be alive to witness his contribution to the music world. Joey also brought up another person who he says would have truly appreciated his talents. "I also wish my father-in-law could have seen the success I have made at this point and what I have been able to build for my wife." His wife attends a majority of his shows and she is very fond of Joey and his talents from the times I have shared with her backstage. Being on the road with out your spouse can be tough and does come with its own challenges, but Joey's love and dedication to his wife keeps their relationship moving in a forward direction where so many music artist relationships have fallen apart. His passion for his music is essential and the inspiration he has for his wife is apparent through his music and a few glances from stage to her when the connect in their own personal moments. His smile brightens as their eyes meet and its a beautiful moment which I have caught from time to time when I'm not fixed on getting that next shot on camera.

Joey exercises his guitar skills like a man running a triathlon. Each day he wakes up and empowers his soul for music by practicing and looking deep with himself to learn new techniques of playing better then he currently is able to. This is a daily ritual developed from the mind of a five time Grammy award winner who flows through life feeling good and keeping positive. "I have like six statues (5 Grammy Awards and 1 lifetime Achievement Award) in my home from my music. You don't realize it until you start talking about it. It's special and I love saying it. I'm a Grammy Award Winner. I worked really hard in the studio with everything I have and for that dedication, and the band's ability to remain on top of their game, we won the awards we have with great respect from our musical peers. This band has achieved so much after so long of putting in its time, its energy, and its blood. I remember the first time we earned our first Grammy. It was me and Jimmy (Carter). When our name was called we all just stood up on the middle of the floor and we could not believe it. It was the most incredible feeling that I couldn't even begin to describe. The following year we were all sitting together again and we were so nervous as we were the year prior. The feelings I had inside were just like the feelings I had racing through me on our first nomination. We even went to the awards with Robert Randolph that year. Robert was nominated for two Grammies and we were nominated for one. We won another award for our category that night and it was like a double treat. We played and we won our third Grammy Award. The following year was number four with Ben Harper. Even after five wins the feeling doesn't get any less intense and I am always nervous as I felt the first time we were nominated. It's like each time the Yankees win another world series. It never gets old. Just I do."

Joey is a simple man with a very focused goal. To be the best at what he does. His ability to pick up the guitar each day is a blessing that has been bestowed upon him with a higher purpose then to pluck strings or to entertain music fans for a dollar. He brings out the best emotions from out of his fans who depend on his energy and stage presence for warmth of comfort of feeling good in their lives. Joey's musicianship talent expands over a decade and has touched millions of people over the years. He still dreams of a time to collaborate with such music icons as Sting, Mary J Blige, and his mentor, Stevie Wonder. What Joey would bring to their music is a flavorful root that is untapped and unheard by anyone they have partnered with. His ability to capture the moment is done effortlessly with the highest regards from the music industry. There is no project too big or too small for him and he is on the brink of becoming a legend in his own ranks.

"We recently went to San Francisco to do a few songs for a documentary with Anthony Hamilton and some other artists. We are heading back to the states after our world tour with the Preservation Hall Jazz. It's an incredible experience coming from being a kid from the Bronx with a guitar and a dream to be able to see the world on tour doing what I love each day, and if I could do one thing before I leave this Earth I would like to do a duet with Stevie Wonder. It's a dream I have had that ever since I was a kid. I look to Stevie as a mentor because if you are able to do what he has done and to accomplish the level of success he has achieved, then you have to give credit where credit is due. Stevie is the man and a music artist I look up to with the highest respect. He's proven himself and you just can't go wrong following in his footsteps."

Joey Williams. A name that shouldn't be new to anyone living above a rock. Joey will continue to play music until the good Lord brings him home. He will continue to march forward and develop his legendary status. There are so few music artists who can paint a room in music as Joey has done time and time again. His free spirit will keep him fresh and keep his music fresh, anticipated, and exciting when it is created. The life and future that will pour out of him in the years ahead are going to massive and it will be the loss of a music fan to not drown there heads in the cleanly baptism of Joey's music. Where there is bright light, warm reception, and love there will be Joey Williams on center stage with his fender in hand plugged into an amplifier ready to blanket you with music in its purest form. It doesn't matter if it is in a seedy bar or in a major venue, Joey keeps himself in check and the music he creates and performs doesn't portrait a man who knows he's accomplished the near impossible. He is a true music artist who plays for the love of playing and nothing less. I'm proud to call Joey my friend and I'm blessed to have had this time in our car ride to learn more about how two people can share the same passion for music on and off the stage. Joey Williams. Wow!

Dredg Out Your Rushdie, Here Comes Something Different.

Orlando, Florida. Vacation destination. Disney controlled and infiltrated with some of today's most questionable members of society. Not this night. Downtown Orlando became the epicenter for American progressive and alternative rock band, "Dredg" to unleash the music from their latest album "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion." This is the band's fourth full album release and the first to be released completely independent from a label's backing. Dredg, like many bands today, is seeing the value of being independent from the labels in order to properly express their message as they see fit and to keep better control over their creative expression and what a message this album has is nothing less than intense and truly brilliant. "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" is an aspiring anecdotal album aroused by the brilliance of author Salman Rushdie, whose book "The Satanic Verses" brought on controversy that sent the author into hiding for a decade. The author also wrote and essay titled "Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the 6 Billionth Citizen" which became the backdrop to this latest Dredg album.

Dredg has been through a four album transmogrification in which has adapted a spectrum of sound and reclamation of artistry through music expression. The detail of the production in this album is very conscientious and Dredg executed the recordings straightforward with their heart and soul. The band has come a long way, but the effects of the economy and downfall to the music industry has put the band in a position to fend for itself. Gavin Hayes (Lead Vocalist & Guitarist) and I sat off to the side stage and discussed his view of the bands approach to recording music in the state that our economy has fallen onto and the current pattern to music sales because with eighteen tracks to absorb off the latest album tracks need to be carefully written in order to attract dedicated fans and new fans to make their purchase online rather then in store like the "old days."

"We haven't really changed our approach so much from a writing stand point. We are still focused when we are creating a record. Our goal is still from the packaging to the songs to having a complete record under lined with theme and identity. That's always going to be important to us no matter which way the business turns. We never think of the records as a song by song compilation. We try to create something that is cohesive. The only difference on this record is that we are independent now and partnered with ILG (Independent Label Group) which is mainly promotion and distribution. I felt like a little weight was lifted and I feel we went more back to our roots on this record."

The third release "Catch Without Arms" was viewed by Gavin as an album that was created on a song to song manner. It was a record based on opposites and conflicting opinions. The rebellious take on the record was emphasized instrumentally and felt a little more cohesive. Dredg didn't want to regurgitate the same record this time and it was a direct reaction to the touring of that album that brought them to dig deeper within their recordings. They toured with a lot of rock bands over the years and at that time felt like their shows were coming off a little passive. "We didn't really write that record with touring live in mind. Our last record was kind of how we wanted to write songs that better translated in our lives and I think this new record is a combination of the first two. There are a lot of elements that could be on LCO and even on our first record with instrumental pieces."

Leaving Interscope to become an independent music group wasn't a surprise to anyone. The business has completely changed over these last nine years and it were at the tail end of people buying CDs. From there the business flipped itself upside down and Dredg really didn't fit the label's model anymore because the label had to adjust their business model so they could make money. There were bands around Dredg who were selling more albums then they were at the time and those bands were getting dropped. To go independent made sense

"Our manager approached us about working with ILG after ILG approached him. It just felt like the right step to take because to distribute an album takes a lot of capital and we needed the backing to release our new album. It was important to us to see the records on the shelves and to build a small budget to promote that record is now available. Technically we are part owner of DCI on that level and we can be viewed as running our own label even though it's just us on that label. It's not like we are going to be out there signing bands but it feels good and I feel more in charge. It's kind of similar to a distribution deal where we are running our label with them. It just felt right and together we are going to increase our fan base. If this was ten years ago it wouldn't have been the right decision for us, but for where we are at in our career it's like a perfect marriage."

Once Dredg is about to recoup expenses from this last album they will be able to see gain unlike what they saw with Interscope. As an true independent band they are supporting themselves on costs and anyway to save a dollar is money they need to invest back into the group. This is what it means to be a struggling artist. Their tours are increasing and it has taken them around the world. It allows them to network with other bands and to create new tours with bands they have co-headlined with in the past. Dredg submits the bands they have worked with to their booking agent and management and create the tour around what they want and not what a label wants. One of those creative controls the band has as an independent is artistic control. If you are a fan you understand what I mean just by viewing their album covers and colorful lyrics. Gavin painted me a picture between the art and the music as it is created for Dredg.

"The arts are a big influence for the group. Drew (bassist) and I met in art class where we were drawing and painting long before we were playing music and the other members add to our appreciation for art through cinema and even books. This last album Drew and I painted a picture for each song and we created them to connect with our fans by adding images that evolved into a treasure hunt which allowed us to connect with our fans on a much deeper level. Fans end up purchasing the paintings as well as the albums. The clues to the treasure hunt go up on our website and the fans get really involved with the hunt. Cinema became an avenue for me as well as Mark in which we separately scored different movies. Film scoring is something we want to get into even on an Independent Film level. There something behind that format that is cool because it's behind the scenes. I think aspects of our music blend in well and can transition over well to cinema. The one movie that really stood out to me as the score of scores was Kubrick's 2001 Space Odyssey. It's visually stimulating and with minimal dialog supported by incredible music. Overall it just works flawlessly. I have read something that the creators were using some of the music just for screening and it worked out really well so I don't know if it was a mistake that the music became the emphasis of the movie but what a great mistake if it was."

Art has been a heavy influence to people on all levels and it is no surprise to see how a man's essay such as Salman Rushdie's "Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the 6 Billionth Citizen" would influence a band receptive to artistic expression to write an album influenced by another man's written imagery. Gavin views progress as an event that has always relied on strong efforts and courageous acts by individuals who are willing to chance themselves by drawing outside the lines so to speak. To get away for the old traditions and to break away from old beliefs in order to make a better tomorrow. Salman Rushdie is a beautiful representation of such courage and a major reason why the band chose to use his essay as the foundation of "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion."

This Thursday Dredg will be sharing the stage with the renowned author and believe me it's not very often that an internationally acclaimed author will share a spotlight with a band from San Francisco, but the rockers have shown their sincerity and their dedication to writing music for the love of music. Together Salman Rushdie and Dredg will come together at New York City's Housing Works Bookstore Cafe for SPIN Magazine's third installment of Liner Notes. The event brings together musicians and authors as part of a continuous event to raise funds for the Housing Works non-profit group which was created to provide homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families with adequate housing, food, social support, drug treatment, health care, and employment. Liner Notes has been a success thus far and I am truly excited to see what comes from the uniting of Salman Rushdie and Dredg. The band is extremely excited and flattered to share an evening with such a talent.