Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest album, and what themes or stories you aimed to convey through your music?

The thing that inspired me most was playing live with the Song & Dance Band, named after the ‘Song & Dance Man’ album from 2021. It has been sheer joy to play live and I wanted to capture the way we’ve grown in such a short period. And once after deciding there was gonna be a new album the new songs just started coming. The theme that emerged looking at the songs we accumulated was traveling. Literary or metaphorically speaking. ‘Traveler’s Heart’ is the third song on the album and it had to be the title track for the album.

Music often has the power to transport people to different places and times. Can you describe a moment in your life when a particular song or album had a profound impact on you?

I was about ten years old when I realized there was such a thing as The Beatles. I mean the idea of a band, four guys making music and being responsible for all those songs I’d heard on the radio. They’d split up by then of course. I bought the album ‘Revolver’ from my pocket money and played side two first and ‘Good Day Sunshine’ blasted through the speakers. Another song that had an impact because of it’s sound was ‘Gangsters’ by the Specials. I’d never heard anything like it before. When I really started discovering American music my dad’s record collection was invaluable. I found the Flying Burrito Brothers on a compilation album. Dylan’s ‘Girl From The North Country’ was another one that made me want to pick up a guitar.

Many artists have rituals or routines they follow before performing or recording. Do you have any unique or quirky pre-show or pre-recording rituals that you find help you get in the zone?

I never really thought about this. I don’t think I have any set habits. I suppose there’s a natural order in setting things up, making sure I’ve got everything in reach. Like the right harmonica for a certain song. Making sure I have the setlist close by. I may well always play the same chord first though.. must be the mighty G.

Your lyrics often tell a story or convey a message. Can you share the story behind one of your songs and the inspiration that led to its creation?

I toured in Oklahoma in 2010. I did some solo gigs and some with a great guitar player from Tulsa. For a benefit we were invited to play the legendary Cain’s Ballroom. That is
the main venue of Tulsa where all the great country stars performed. My buddy had some business to do before and we nearly missed our slot but made it just in the nick of time. We were literally rushed from the car through backstage and shoved up on stage. Somebody handed me a guitar and off we went. The adrenaline and rushed feeling I tried to portray in ‘Hit The Road Running’ on the new album.

If you could curate a music festival with a lineup of your dream artists, who would be the headliners, and what would the theme of the festival be?

That’s a fun question! I’d get a few friends up there probably. And some friends we lost along the way. I mean when dreaming out loud why not? It would be an ecclectic mixture of some of my favorites and friends. Iain Matthews, The Lasses, Steve Earle, Townes van Zandt, Tom Skinner, Eric Taylor, Nancy Griffith, The Byrds, Tony Rice, Springsteen and The Beatles headlining of course.

Music can be a powerful tool for advocacy and change. Are there any social or political causes that you’re passionate about, and how does your music play a role in promoting these issues?

My second album ‘Sweet Oblivion’ (2007) it’s titletrack is a protest song. About how the economy rules our lives when it should be about people. And most people’s apathy to do anything about it. On the new album ‘Traveler’s Heart’ the song ‘Wheels in Motion’ is another example. I’m just not convinced we are doing enough to stop global warming. And the people we vote for are just not showing any urgency or guidance. ‘So save me from the ones behind the wheel!’

The music industry has evolved significantly with technology. How do you see artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the creation and distribution of music in the future?

I have no idea. And where is the joy in that? Having a machine create a song instead of an artist creating a song. With what purpose? To please the audience? To make money? I used to love going to a record shop and get the latest of my favorite artist. Anticipating and then finally getting to play it at home. The albums I bought mean so much more than anything I can stream today. I am still making albums instead of releasing tracks because I like to tell a complete story. There is art in making a full album that takes you through different moods along the way.

Many recording artists evolve over time. How do you see your musical journey changing and growing in the next decade?

Looking back each album is different from the next and still it’s very much me. With the album ‘Song & Dance Man’ from 2021 I went more acoustic with an almost Bluegrass line-up. The new album is a succession and a celebration of what we can do live. I have no idea where the album takes me. I went from strumming the guitar to fingerpicking and now I’m seriously studying flat-picking. So there’s an evolvement in my musicianship. I guess I’ll be lucky to be doing exactly this in ten years from now. Playing to audiences and making an album every once in a while.