The following questions were culled from vintage Teen Beat interviews, circa mid-1980s. Xpress poses them to local music stars.
Mountain Xpress: How did you get into music?
Brushfire Stankgrass and jazz quartet Done for the Evening: I started playing bass in high school when I was a sophomore. My biggest influence (and good friend to this day) was (and still is) Jason Scheff, bassist and lead vocalist from the band Chicago. They get a bad rap these days from people because folks only seem to know the 1980s pop-ballad period, but Chicago’s entire body of work and songwriting skill is incredible, all the way back to 1967. They are the reason I started playing music.
Q: If you weren’t a musician, what would you want to be?
A: Probably a luthier (musical instrument builder) or a recording engineer.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: To have more patience. I tend to be very impulsive, which is sometimes good, but mostly gets me into trouble.
Q: Tell us about your car.
A: My car is my 1992 Toyota Camry XLE V6 TRD edition. I’ve had it since I started driving at 16 years old … that car knows me better than some people do.
Q: Are you going to play a show in Tulsa?
A: If my travel expenses are covered, I’ll play almost anywhere.
Q: Who do you consider to be very cool?
A: Ron Paul: The only candidate with a clue.
Q: Do you have a crush on anyone?
A: Yes, my wonderful fiance’, Rachel.
Q: What was the most perfect gift you ever received?
A: A foot of snow on Christmas morning.
Q: What was the nicest thing you’ve ever done for your mom on Mother’s Day?
A: A nice dinner and a CD of music she had been looking for forever.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Running and weight lifting, reading philosophy books, and watching auto racing. I’m a car nut.
Q: Describe your perfect day.
A: Waking up without a care in the world, not feeling like I have a million things to rush into, yet still being productive and happy.
Q: What’s something you refuse to eat?
A: Meat.
Q: If you had to choose one word to describe your life, what would that word be?
A: Blessed.
Q: Do you have any messages for all your loyal fans?
A: Thanks for the memories …
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
