Q&A Sessions
George Hawkins, Jr: April 4 - 19, 2000
Page 2

Uncle George! Long time no speak! I really just wanted to say hello and that I hope to see you at my big wedding fiesta! Also, it would be really cool to see you rockin' with your band if you ever make it out this side of the ol' Miss. Anyway, I'm glad I found you in cyberspace and am enjoying reading all of the questions and answers about you! (James Yost, Atascadero, California, USA)

Little Brother,

I can't wait to see you and meet the blushing bride. God, you're getting married!! I remember when I used to change your diapers. I hope some things have grown since then. (Joke. But, I really do.)

We're gonna be at the House of Blues in L.A. Friday June 2nd with Delbert. Be there or be square. Congratulations, Jim. Love you, See you soon. Give my best to Kathy and I'll send you my e-mail address for you and her.

take care...........uncle george

Hi Uncle George! A message from your new niece, Sara. We just got word you were answering questions and couldn't resist participating. Hope all is going well with you, hope to meet you soon! P.S. Jim and I saw John Prine last summer at the Strawberry Bluegrass festival, it was wonderful! (Sarah Yost, Atascadero, California, USA)

Sara,

Can't wait to meet you. I'll send a note to you at Jim's web address.

Love......george

Hey George, you said earlier you listen to old delta-style acoustic blues and gospel. Check out Rounder Records' Library of Congress recordings from the '20s. It's a goldmine. Also the John and Ruby Lomax 1939 southern states recording trip. You can locate them online. Best wishes. (Timothy Kee, North Huntington, Pennsylvania, USA)

Timothy,

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check it out.

Cheers............george

Hey George,

I have enjoyed your work with Mick and Christine and like many of us MAC fans I always think of you as "in the MAC family" I ordered you album "Every Dog Has Its Day"and wondering if you can tell me what to expect (sound, "macish?",what was Billy's contribution etc..) Also Do you think Christine will ever release a follow up to the 1984 title? She seems to have some material and said in some of the DANCE era interviews that she would release a solo album but did want to solo tour. Thanks! (Bill, Bel Air, Maryland, USA)

Bill,

Thanks for ordering my record. No, it doesn't sound Macish. My good friend , guitarist and song writer Bruce Gaitsch, a few years ago was putting together a publishing and recording music business group ; he went to some of his numerous connections in Europe and got a deal for me in Sweden and Germany, with distribution throughout Europe, Iberia, Japan and elsewhere. Time was of the essence, so I used my favorites from my most recent batch of songs, wrote a few more, and called it an album. It doesn't really have a cohesive theme or intent other than to be an enjoyable, however eclectic, collection of songs :

emotions and thoughts, chords and words, from my head and my heart, at that time in my life. There's lots of different kinds of stuff on it, so hopefully you'll find something you like.

Yeah, man, I hope Chris does another record. She promised she'd call me when (and if) she does. Anything to spend another couple of months with the Queen of our hearts.

By the way, I just sent my CDs out today, so the web site will probably get them in a week or less, then they'll go out to you. So be patient, they're on their way.

Thanks............george

Hi George, I´m back with some info trying to refresh your memory on Thomas Helmig... The album is called "Vejen Væk" and was released in 1988... You were one of 4 bassplayers, the others all being Danish... But there are some other American musicians on the album: Guitarist Michael Landau, drummer Russ Kunkel and keyboardplayer Jai Winding (who also worked as a programmer, technician, mixer and co-producer)... Another mixer on the album was Greg Ladanyi, who the same year produced a few tracks for Fleetwood Mac´s "Greatest Hits" (and a few years later the entire "Behind The Mask" album)... Ring any bells now??? *S* My questions are: How did you get involved with this project??? And have you worked with Jai Winding before or after this album??? What is he like??? Thanks again... (Kim Abrahamsson, Skovlunde, Denmark)

Kim,

Thank you for the info. The time-line is clear to me now. I don't remember Thomas because I never met him. In '88 I was working on something called The Greg Ladanyi Project (GLP).

Greg had put together his favorite guys on drums, keyboards, etc. and collected some songs and was recording an album. I was lucky enough to be a part of that project because Russ Kunkel, whom had been friends with Greg for years, brought me in, as Russ and I had worked together in '87 with Dan Fogelberg.

Jay was part of Greg's group. He's a nice guy, great musician. We wrote and recorded for a few months but it never became what we had hoped it would. Eventually we scrapped it. I don't even have tapes of what we did. So, the thing with Thomas was one of many projects Greg was doing at the time, and he used me on a lot of them.

Some time later, Mick and I were talking on the phone and he told me the producer they had selected for "Behind The Mask", Don Gehman, wasn't working out, and did I have any favorite new guys I had worked with lately. I told him about Ladanyi, and you know the rest.

Thanks for your letter, Kim.

Love...........george

Hi George! This is my first Q&A session I have participated in! I really enjoyed reading your profile, especially seeing your participation with not just some of Fleetwood Mac, but also Firefall and Don Felder (I love the Eagles too). Some of my favorite groups! I am a huge Lindsey Buckingham fan. My question is, what is it like playing bass along side his guitar playing? What was your first impression concerning his guitar playing style? And if you have a favorite Lindsey Buckingham song, what would it be? Thanks for taking the time to reply and I look forward to hearing your new solo CD! (Lauren, Denver, Colorado, USA)

Lauren,

Playing alongside Lindsey is like being on a runaway train. You just gotta hang on for dear life and hope to keep up. His energy is unbelievable. It's a thrill.

My first impression of Lindsey's style was to notice how broad it is. If you've ever seen him live (and I know you have) then you know he rocks harder than anybody. But then he'll play acoustic guitar with such tenderness and then such ferocity that while he is playing each style, one thinks that particular style is his strong suit, that is, until he plays the next style. Lindsey's guitar playing, to me, is a collage of textures and sounds from hummingbird wings to World War III; and his style ranges from appalachian-folk, traditional American acoustic blues, classical finger-picking, to Django Reinhardt gypsy-,jazz, sensual-lush electric, to Chuck Berry, rythm and blues, rockabilly, to wall-of-guitars, screaming, bone-crunching Armageddon. That's what I like about him. And it's like it's against his religion to play the same thing or the same way twice; but you always know it's him. That, I think, is the true definition of style.

My favorite songs are "So Afraid", cuz it's the first thing I ever saw him do live, and I'll never forget it; and I also love "Big Love". There are more, too. It's the toughest question I've been asked so far.

Thanks, Lauren. Love..........george

Hey, George! First off, I would like to say that I have really enjoyed reading your responses to the innumerable questions asked of you here--you strike me as such a cool, funny, and down-to-earth guy. Keep the good vibes flowing, man! :-)

Secondly, I was wondering if you know how Christine is nowadays...she decided to stop touring with the Mac so she could devote more time to her personal life-cooking and gardening, etc., so what us ravished Mac fans would really like to know is...IS SHE WELL RESTED YET?!! Please pass the word to her from us collective Mac fans....we're hankering, simply HANKERING to see them again live again! Trembling from Mac Withdrawal. Will you playing anytime soon on the East coast? And...thanks a million for participating in the Q & A, friend, and peace. (Gypsy, New York, New York, USA)

Gypsy,

That's a funny question, Baby. I don't quite know how to answer that. I selfishly want Chris to tour again,too. Although she's given me several lifetimes of happiness, I pray that she'll get horny for the road and do it again. We shall see, girlfriend; we shall see.

The closest I will be to NYC, as far as I know at this time, is Catskill, N.Y. July 15th at the Friar Tuck Inn; and, Bridgewater, N.J., October 10th at the Somerset Ballpark. Keep your eye on the Delbert McClinton itinerary on this web site which will be periodically up-dated. If you come out to see Todd and I, make sure you say hi.

Thanks for your kind words, see you soon, I hope.

Love............george

Hi, again, George!

I recall seeing on a local blues club marquee a few years ago of "Mick Fleetwood & the Blue Whale". Were you involved in that band? If not, do you know who the musicians were?

And, speaking of "Blue Whales", any ribald tales about the recording of the Zoo's "I'm Not Me" album at Mick's house of that name?

Technical questions: [I'm a guitar player who's a "gear junkie"...sorry for the "Guitar Player Magazine" tone of these questions. ;-) ]

What amplification are you currently using? Any outboard FX? What bass(es) are you using with Delbert and what basses do you use in specific circumstances? Or do you pretty much stick with one brand & model bass for most of your work?

And finally, if this isn't too personal...but since its almost April 15th (me being a part-time gigging musician who does his own tax return, I'm always looking for some tax tips in regards to my musical expenses)...what's been your most "creative" (yet, legal) tax write-off as a musician? (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Steve,

No, I wasn't part of the Blue Whale. I have no idea who was in that band. That was a few years after my time, I believe.

There are plenty of tales to tell about recording at the Blue Whale, most of which, thankfully, I can't recall. But, seriously, what I remember as being the coolest part of that period was that since Mick's house was in an exclusive part of North Malibu called Ramirez Canyon, there were tons of actors hanging around. Gary Busey was always there between movie projects since he lived just down the road, plus he was already good friends with Billy. He and I hung hard and heavy. He introduced me to Jeff Bridges, who was really fun. One night Jeff and I wrote three songs sitting at the piano at Gary's house. When we were done, at like 6 A.M., we hugged and swore to be best Bro's for the rest of our lives. I never saw him again. Steve,who played guitar in The Zoo, was dating Ally Sheedy for a while. She had some cute friends. And every once in a while Richard Dashut would bring some Hollywood freak by the studio. You'd never know who he was going to show up with. Plus, you gotta remember that Richard is so charismatic, and with his Northern Russian good looks: fair skin black hair and exotically shaped blue eyes, not to mention that he dressed like a Beau Brummel, a real clothes-horse, he was a super star himself; also he was producer/engineer for the biggest band in the world, so everybody wanted to be his best friend. So he would bring the most recent actor/ rock'n roll wanna-be 'round for the slaughter. I know that sounds crass, but those were brutal times. He brought David Cassidy over a few times, everybody liked David, he was funny and smart. He could hang. Bonnie Raitt used to come over late and she, Mick, usually Todd, and I would jam into the wee hours. That was great. Everybody was in love with Bonnie, she's a goddess. There's too many folks to mention, really. It was a great period; I made a lot of friends, and probably burned a few bridges as well.

Currently, I'm using an Avalon pre-amp, Furman power conditioner, Korg rack mounted digital tuner, and a Carver PM 1400 Watt Stereo Power Amp. One Hartke 4 x 10 speaker cabinet, and one 1 x 15 Hartke cabinet. My effects consist of a TC Chorus/Fanger pedal, which I usually reserve for the slightest of sweetening on the fretless.

My favorite bass is a 5-string Pedula Thunderbolt. I use it for everything, it's so versatile. I also have an early 80's 4-string made by Bill Merchant at "The Bass Shop" in New York City that I had the frets filed down on and use that as a cheater fretless; sounds fantastic, real thick but toneful EMG pick-ups. I also have a beautiful custom 4-srting bass that was made by the venerable Mark Brown, who worked out of Westwood Music in L.A. at the time.

Thanks for writing, Steve.

Best wishes.........george

This is not exactly a question. I just wanted to thank you for all the info you have given in your answers re: Christine Mc Vie, who other than Lindsey, is my favorite Mac member. She does not receive anything like the credit she should based on her talent. What are your thoughts on why she doesn't? Is she a really reserved kind of person or is that just the way she is on stage?

I also want to say that I LOVE Who's Dreaming that Dream. Anything you had to do with making that song - thanks!! It's gorgeous. (Vianna, Alexandria, Virginia, USA)

Vianna,

Beautiful name, Vianna.

I think Christine gets the appropriate recognition. I believe she is the most respected song-writer in the band, she is also recognized universally as having one of the most beautiful voices in contemporary music, and she is well respected as a musician's musician.

Christine is a writer, a player, and a songbird : to compare, underestimate, or even overly enthuse, would be to detract from the subtle beauty of her gifts.

Thank you for writing. By the way, please come to the Birchmere in Alexandria July 17th. Todd and I will be there with Delbert McClinton. Don't forget to say hi.

Love........george

Thanks for answering everyone's questions with such lightheartedness and humor. It's been a lovely Q&A session to read. You're very talented and almost all of my questions about your career have already been answered. So, my next question is: For all of us die-hard Christine McVie fans, we're always curious about the ever-elusive Eddy Quintela. He is the quintessential mystery man. Is there anything you can tell us about him? I have no specifics--just anything at all! Thanks for your time, and I'm hoping to catch you at the H.O.B. on my next trip to CA. (Christine, London, England)

Christine, I can only tell you that Eddie is Portugese and is a gentleman. He and Christine moved to from Los Angeles about the same time my family moved from L.A. I haven't been in contact with Eddie for some time now, so I'm not the best source of current info on the man. We've always been friends and I expect to remain so.

Thanks..........george

P.S. - I almost forgot, make sure you say hi to us at the H.O.B. if you come to L.A. see you there.

Well it seems everything that I wanted to ask has been answered already...=) So I'll ask you this: I am in a band that has been contacted by a VERY (and I do emphasize the word) small label, any tips you can give me on how to succeed out there? Do you find any inspiration on the road? And speaking of the road, any plans on coming closer to New Mexico with Delbert? I would really like to see you and Todd jam, that would be great...ps-I love your response to one of the questions about having George Harrison backing you up...that was funny...that's like me saying "Oh yeah I had Lindsey Buckingham come in and play rhythm guitar for me..." hahahaha...thanks buddy, hope to see ya 'round my part of the country. (Joshua Nothom, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA)

Joshua,

How to succeed out there....? Wow........that's a tough one, man. I think the only path to fulfillment is dedication and perseverance. I was (and remain, thank God) very lucky to have been presented with the opportunities in my life. Not everyone has the same odds : if you live in Zanzabar in a hut, you're not likely to meet people whom have connections in the music biz. One might consider relocating.

Also a practical aspect to getting your business off the ground is to figure out exactly what you need to focus on, formulate a plan, then implement. Do you want to have a recording career? If so, do you have the skills ? If you do, is there studio work where you live? If not, guess what? Move. If you don't have the money to move, make a plan, set a date, and implement.

Do you want to pursue a record deal, either solo or with a band? If so, do you have the material? Is it up to the quality level it needs to be? Do you have a plan to finance demos and the names of people to get them to? Do you have people around you to help with logistics like getting a cool venue for a showcase? If not...................

See what I mean, Josh?

I think to some extent we make our own luck a little, ya know? If you work your ass off, plan well, and execute the details of your plan, you will have success along the way; and you'll learn the most from the inevitable failures that accompany those small successes that come one at a time, and when added together equal a career.

I hope I've given you something that will help, Josh. It's not an easy life, as you probably know already. And it's hard to give advise without sounding pompous or stupid. In fact, I can't give advice without sounding pompous and stupid ! So................

You never know what the future holds; but, you can be more ready to recognize and utilize opportunities when you've prepared yourself for success. Write out a plan, put your faith in God, and believe that it is your right and your destiny to achieve fulfillment and success in this long and beautiful life.

Good luck, Brother..........george

Joshua,

I know I already responded to your letter, but I just re-read what I wrote and it was so narrowly focused that I thought I should add this note. You are obviously a professional musician and already on your way if you have even small label interest. I just want to say that maybe the most important thing is to not give up your vision. Don't let anybody make you compromise your music.

All of the greatest artists are true to their art and don' t take no for an answer.

Secondly : do I find inspiration on the road?

Sure. You never know where your gonna find it. Sometimes it's the drudgery of the road, and other times it's the sheer beauty of this existence that provides it. More often than not, though, I find that the real inspiration I need, is to sit down and do the real work of creating and not wait for the elusive muse to show her fickle face............she may be courting someone else today.

Best of Luck..............george

Hi again, George. I just wanted thank you for the bass lesson earlier and to let you know that I've tried your suggestions and they seem to be working well so far. Playing along with a recording isn't something I had done much of before but at least now I have something to compare to while practicing. The up-side is that if I mess up horribly I can always start the song over and pretend it never happened!!

I really enjoy your singing and I'm now on a mission to get my hands on more of your work. I will be ordering your cd from the Penguin soon and look forward to hearing you on Billy's new one as well. Speaking of singing - do you find it difficult to play and sing at the same time or does it seem to be second nature. I find myself really having to "work" at singing while playing and even when concentrating it doesn't work very well. Any suggestions there? Thanks again for the tips and I hope to be able to catch you with DM here in the Midwest one of these days. (Tony S., Wellman, Iowa, USA)

Tony,

I'm glad my suggestions helped.

I've been singing and playing at the same time ever since I started . I was always the lead singer in my bands, so it has pretty much become second nature. Sometimes I still have to work out a part to play if it is a difficult counterpoint to the vocal rhythm, at least until I become comfortable with both parts.

Concentrating too hard takes away from the groove and the general feeling of the music, so I am a big believer in practicing challenging parts over and over until they become second nature. Redundancy puts the music in your body, where it lives forever, long after it's departed your head. Hope that helps a little, Tony. Thanks for your questions, and your kind words.

Best wishes......george

George, I've really enjoyed reading your answers for this Q and A. It sounds like you have a great sense of humor. Did you ever tour with Mick Fleetwood's zoo in the mid 80's? If so, I caught a show here in Grand Junction in the Summer of 87. It was a great show. The band really seemed to be having fun that night. We'd heard that Stevie had jumped on stage for a song or two at a few shows and we were looking everywhere for her. She didn't show that night.

I just ordered your CD on this web sight. Being a big Billy Burnette fan, I can't wait to hear it. Were you involved with the Chipmunks In Low Places project? I can't imagine preparing for a gig like that. Since I found out that all the chipmunk voices are his, I've tried listening to it to try to recognize him anywhere. Does he get properly razzed about that one? (C. Mark Gomez, Grand Junction, Colorado, USA)

I didn't tour with The Zoo after '82......'83 at the latest. Thank you for ordering my CD; I hope you like it. Thanks for writing........george

No, I didn't work on Chipmunks In Low Places. In fact, I've never even heard of it. Does Billy get razzed about it? Oh, rest assured, my friend, he will !!

Hi, George! I was wondering what it was like to work with Don Felder? Airborne is one of my favorite CDs. Also, what is it like to work with Billy Burnette? (Natalie, Deltona, Florida, USA)

Natalie,

I answered the question about working with Felder last week or so.........I don't remember if it was your question or somebody elses. But, I didn't answer your question about Billy.

I love to work with Billy. We're such close friends that we mostly just laugh. When we do get down to doing something, though, we know how to interpret each other and we know how the other hears stuff; so, it's easy and fun. And for all that, I must say that Billy is a consummate pro, knows what he wants, and knows how to get it.

Thanks.......love, george

Hello Again George!

When I asked for your photo I meant a Record label promotional photo. I work in a music store and we hang photos of our favorite stars in the office. Right now I have to share the office with 3 guys and they drool over Faith Hill and Shania Twain...I would rather see your smiling face hanging on the wall. :) What do you say, how's about helping out a nice girl with a crush? Pretty please??? (Christine, Mississippi, USA)

Christine in Mississippi,

I'll mail this web site a picture for you and request the good people here to forward it to an address that you can confidentially provide them. K, girlfriend?

Love ya........george

Hi, George

Thanks so much for answering my questions about Chris. I'll definitely be at the Birchmere July 17. It's about 2 miles from where I live, actually. This is just too exciting! You've probably answered this but do you ever see Chris nowadays? (Vianna, Alexandria, Virginia, USA)

Vianna,

Your welcome. It's my pleasure to answer your questions. I haven't seen Chris for over a year. I also hadn't spoken with her in nearly that long; until last night, ironically!

She called me from England. She has been there for some time, and has been living the life of a "grand English matron", as she put it, "piddling around the garden in my sun hat and Wellies" (Wellies are Wellington rubber, over the calf-style gardening and mud boots). I tried to remember and ask some of the questions I've received about her, but the moment was so personal and intimate, I couldn't bring myself to conduct an interview.Although I will pass on what she said that is relevant to all of us:

She lives in the country, and has a local pub. She has good "sort of salt of the earth" friends and pubmates. She doesn't hang with the English Rock royalty. She pursues her two modest passions, cooking and gardening, reads, and tends to her dogs (one of which is named George). Christine has a music room on her property and described the songs she's been writing as "tougher and not as soft as in the past". "More brash and less careful". Interesting, huh?

She sounded healthy and happy and didn't commit one way or the other about doing another record.

That's about it. It was a very timely call, me doing this month's guest page and everything. She said she's on-line.....but not interested in computers. So I guess I won't bother e-mailing her since she literally never checks it. "I much prefer the sound of a human voice, darling".

Thanks for your letter, Vianna. I'm looking forward to meeting you in July.

Best wishes.......george

Hi again George! Thanks for answering my questions about the "biz", I really appreciate it. =) I am going to put a copy of your reply to my question in our jam room, it was a very inspirational answer. Thanks Again. Also, I hope you and Todd, while on tour with Delbert, can find your way closer to my town in New Mexico. We are in the southern part of the state, where New Mexico State University is. About 45 minutes up the road from El Paso, TX, if that helps. I hope to see you 'round!! =) Thanks again George! (Joshua Nothom, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA)

Joshua,

I'm glad you found something in my answer that made sense to you. I don't know how close you are to San Antonio, but we'll be there with Delbert this weekend (Friday, April 28th) at a place called "Sunset Station". If that's close enough for you to make it, write back and I'll make sure you and who ever you bring are guests of the band. We'll be in Texas again June 30th, Houston, Aerial Theater.....July 1st, Austin, Stubbs BBQ.....July 2nd, Ft. Worth, Botanical Garden.

The invitation is good for these and any other dates you can make.

Hope to see you around...........george

Thanks so much for answering my question and for the latest news on Chris=:-) I am sure all of us Chris fans who visit the Penguin are reading this news with great interest! Take care of yourself and have a Happy Easter! (Vianna, Alexandria, Virginia, USA)

Vianna,

Thanks, Vianna. Happy Easter to you, too, Doll. See you in July.

Love.......george

Hey George, your bio says you worked with the Monkees, wait a minute, everyone knows Peter is the bassist , what gives? How did you get that gig? What was the seediest bar you ever played in? Hope to see you at the birchmere, a great club! (Andy, Reston, Virginia, USA)

Andy,

I don't remember what year it was that I worked "with" the Monkees. It was one of those "Let's resurrect some nostalgia act and call it a 'Best Of...' kind of thing". None of them were there, I don't know if it ever came out, who cares, really. Some producer had the idea and I was one of numerous players who just happened to get the call. It was a paycheck. Pretty jaded attitude, huh? Oh well........

Cheers.........george

Hey Moon Man, got your album yesterday. I only got to hear it once so far. It sure is nice to hear your voice again after so long! Thanks also for sticking around a bit longer on the Q & A session. Since EVERY DOG...is your first solo record, how long did you work on it? You wrote most of it by yourself. Do you have a backlog of songs or did you write as you were preparing for the album? I especially like the opening track, "Anyone But You", the soul on "Way Down Deep" and "When My Dreams Come True",and the vocals on "Moon Man". Hey if you talk to Christine again, maybe you could remind her she was supposed to do a blues album a few years back..."hope to see you soon man". Thanks George. (Timothy Kee, North Huntington, Pennsylvania, USA)

Timothy,

I do have a backlog of songs, but not every song fits every situation, so I also wrote some things to flesh out the record. That's why it doesn't really have a thought out cohesiveness but rather a sampling of my emotions and points of view kind of feeling.

Thanks for writing.......george

George,

Thanks for your previous answer. I think you'll like the track from "Chipmunks In Low Places" where Billy Burnette (as one of the Chipmunks) tries to correct Aarin Tippin's grammar on "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio". As a seventh grade Language Arts teacher, it's one of my favorites.

I ordered your CD from this site. It should be coming soon. Are there any personal favorite tracks on the CD? Are there any good stories behind any of the songs? Are there any other guest artist that show up on it? Does Billy know all the words to "The Witchdoctor"? OO EE OO AH AH BING BANG ...

Are you related in any way to Jesse "The Body" Ventura? Seriously, how and when did the nickname come about? It's been great reading your answers to this Q and A. I can't wait to hear the CD. (C. Mark Gomez, Grand Junction, Colorado, USA)

Mark,

My favorite tracks on my CD are "Anyone But You", because the lyrics fell out of my head all at once and they are by far the most artful I've ever written; "Extraordinary Girl", which I co-wrote with Doobie Brother Drummer and great friend, Keith Knudson; it's a satire on contemporary male relationship expectations. "He needs an extraordinary girl, someone who won't try to change his world............She'll do anything she can , somebody who 'll understand..........." And I guess the gender could be reversed, really, but we wrote from our male point of view and it was powerful therapy for us to unmask maybe some of our own dysfunction and thereby exorcise some of the crap that's messed up our relationships, past and present. I really like "Moon Man" cuz I wrote it for my three year old when the question of 'what is the moon' came up. "Jamie Don't Love Me", which has some verbatim lyrics from my then 12 year old daughter. And "When My Dreams Come True". The chorus is the most direct and simple expression of my love for my wife, Melanie, and therefore the most true; and it's for anybody who ever loved without regret, without limits, and without excuses, even with a flawed and humble heart.

Guests on the album are Bill Champlin, my hero, on Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, and vocals. Bill has been a member of Chicago for the last 15 years; Tamara Champlin on vocals; New Yorker and bohemian deluxe, drummer Billy Ward; The most amazing sax player I've ever heard, Marc Russo, who's touring with the Doobies; Richard Marx , Billy Burnette, and Janie Clewer-Gaitsch on background vocals; and writer/guitarist/producer Bruce Gaitsch on guitars.

I can't remember how I got that nickname. I didn't even know I had it until I started doing this guest page. Believe me, I haven't earned it; it's a mis-nomer (sp.?)

Thanks..............george