Interview: Tommy Stinson

Tommy Stinson is a rock legend. He was a member of famed Minnesota-based rock group the Replacements. Since 1998, he has been the bassist for Guns N’ Roses and Soul Asylum. His latest release is the solo album “One Man Mutiny.” For more info on Tommy Stinson, check out http://tommystinson.com/ or follow him on twitter: @tommy_stinson. McClain Johnson: As a solo artist, how does your songwriting process work? Tommy Stinson: You know, I don’t really have one particularly. When I’ve got free time and my head is freed up from touring and all that stuff, it just sort of comes to me. It can come to me in any way, whether it is guitar, bass, drums,…

Interview: Keller Williams

Keller’s musical career is on fire. His recent Kdubalicious album titled simply, “Bass” kicked off last December, and as we write this he’s doing his best to keep the Travelin’ McCourys from fishing off the boat during Jam Cruise.  I’ve seen Keller play with everyone from The String Cheese Incident to the Rhythm Devils, and caught up with him recently at his show in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the Blind Pig.  Based on the track he shared with us (scroll all the way down), I can’t wait to see him with the Travelin’ McCourys next summer. Bands That Jam:  Welcome to Michigan Keller.  Thanks for sitting down to talk with Bands That Jam.  What were…

Interview: Mason Jennings

  BTJ Photographer Chris Monaghan sat down recently with singer/songwriter Mason Jennings to talk about his current cross country tour, his beginnings as a musician and his songwriting style. You can stream Jennings’ latest Minnesota and see his remaining dates on his website. BandsThatJam:     How old were you when you started playing guitar, and when did you know you wanted to be a musician? Mason Jennings: I would always write these songs when I was pretty little, even when I was 8 or 9 I would write these full songs and sing them in to a tape recorder, so I was always really writing.  But I really wanted to play drums. I started on drums…

Interview: Bob Weir & Searching for Freedom

Searching For Freedom With Bob Weir Bob Weir is the co-founder of the Grateful Dead. His other bands include Furthur and RatDog. His latest project is TRI Studios (http://www.tristudios.com/), which broadcasts high quality concerts live online. He recently called in to discuss the impact of technology on his songwriting, the creation of TRI Studios and the free-flowing nature of the Dead’s setlist creation. McClain Johnson: How did the concept for TRI studios come together? How did it get started? Bob Weir: It was a long, involved process. I picked up a recording console, an API recording console. In my opinion, it was the best console I could get. We started building a studio around it. Along the way, an old…

Interview: Mike Doughty

Mike Doughty is one of the best, most creative singer-songwriters out today. He has a skill for writing memorable hooks, and writes intriguing, oddball, poetic lyrics. His latest album, Yes and Also Yes, will be released August 30th on his own label, Snack Bar. Mike recently wrote in to discuss his love of pop songs, how he creates beats and the challenges of being an independent artist. For more info on Mike Doughty, check out http://www.mikedoughty.com McClain Johnson: What inspired “Into the Un?” Mike Doughty: Actually, weirdly, I was asked to write something for the next Twilight soundtrack–though they rejected the song. It’s a kind of psychedelic goth fantasia–I hung out with a lot of…

Interview: Bruce Hornsby

Bruce Hornsby is a piano player/singer-songwriter who works in many different styles and with a wide range of other artists. His latest release is the live album, Bride of the Noisemakers. He recently discussed playing with the Grateful Dead, how he is always looking to expand his sound and his passion for modern classical music. McClain Johnson: How old were you when you first started playing piano? Bruce Hornsby: I started really late. I started at age 17, junior year in high school, for a couple of inspirational reasons. My older brother, Bobby Hornsby, was the original musician in our band. He was the guy who had bands in junior high school and late elementary…

Interview: Victor Wooten, Bassist

Victor Wooten (twitter: @victorwooten) is one of the world’s most talented bass players. He is well known as a member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones as well as a solo artist. He discussed the biggest obstacles he’s had in his career, how he met Bela and how his family got him into music.

Interview: Horace Moore WSP Archivist

Horace Moore is the archivist for Widespread Panic. He heads up the band’s archival multitrack releases, Porch Songs releases and podcasts. McClain Johnson: When did you first become interested in tape trading? Horace Moore: It was kind of interesting, because I grew up in southeast Georgia. All I had growing up was the radio and 8-tracks and just one record store. It was kind of Top 40 oriented. I can remember back in grade school, high school, just getting worn out on the same version of a song. So when I got introduced to the Grateful Dead, once I got to college, that was one thing that I really picked up on immediately. This is…

Interview: Tara Nevins

Tara Nevins is an amazing fiddle player and a passionate songwriter. She is also a member of Donna the Buffalo. Her latest release is her solo album, Wood and Stone. Tara called in to discuss her love of old-time music, how Donna the Buffalo came together and working with Larry Campbell. McClain Johnson: How old were you when you first started playing fiddle? Tara Nevins: Fifth Grade. McClain Johnson: Do you remember the first song you learned how to play? Tara Nevins: Heck no. I started out playing classical music in school. Then I discovered fiddle later on. I went to college for classical studies too. I discovered old-time music, traditional fiddle music. When I…

Interview: Larry Keel – Guitar Legend

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA – Larry Keel is a bluegrass guitar master. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists (including Keller Williams). He also fronts his own band, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge. Larry recently called in to discuss the first song he learned how to play, his songwriting process and how he is pushing bluegrass in new directions. Stream “Country Blues” while you read: [Audio clip: view full post to listen] **************************************** McClain Johnson: What first got you interested in playing? Larry Keel: My dad and my brother used to do a lot of jamming around the house. My dad was a banjo player, my brother was also. He was a guitar player….