Ok, I need to start this off by saying that when I first got lit up by the radio… you know that moment… when you are glued to it… or maybe you don't. It's a very funny time we live in right now. Where music isn't consumed like it was. There are so many places to get it now.
But back when it hit me… (and in fact, I'm gonna do a quick search to get the year correct…) ok, I'm back. So 1972. That made me 10 years old. The songs that were on the radio when it REALLY hit me… when I was glued to the radio… “Hello It's Me” by Todd Rundgren, “Just You And Me” and “Feeling Stronger Every Day” by Chicago, “We're An American Band” by Grand Funk. These were the first sounds…
Sure, the stuff leading up to that my mother would play in our household were LOTS of Dionne Warwick… I remember James Brown… so there was always an undercurrent of soul music, rhythm and blues… which explains that my first love affairs with music, bands, etc were groove and funk based… It wasn't the rock stuff.
As I'm currently out touring performing The Beatles White Album with Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz and Joey Molland of Badfinger I get asked a LOT about what the White Album meant to me on its release and my answer is that it had no impact on me. I was 6 years old.
But now, cut to today… I'm 57 years old and I'm out with these iconic artists, and I'm reflecting back on when it all started clicking for me… and it was right then, about 1972-1973 that I became a MASSIVE radio fan. We all were. When we were all starting to bloom into teenagers and love was in the air, this was our soundtrack and anybody who was there can testify, what an amazing soundtrack to your life this was. STILL IS, right?
So I'm hearing “Hello It's Me” and I liked it. It wasn't what I was gravitating toward but I appreciated it… And more importantly it was one of the songs to the soundtrack of the next phase of my life. But what I was really gravitating more toward were the Chicago records… I also LOVED “We're An American Band” by Grand Funk and shortly after that Earth Wind and Fire would be coming onto the scene. I also LOVED Ohio Players, Kool and the Gang… again, just gravitating toward that kind of music.
And of course, anybody who knows me knows that the ultimate awakening was/is Elton John. And again, if you break it down, VERY funk and R&B based. Those early records were PURE funk! I mean, come on. Bennie And The Jets! Funk? Please… the ULTIMATE deep funk groove… (thank you Nigel, Dee and Davey putting that funk into those records with Elton).
I would sit and wait to hear my favorite songs. I would call in and request songs. I'd make friends with the DJs… at least I thought I was… and the first time I'd be *reminding* them of who I was and they acknowledged me… I was on cloud nine! I would call in and win prizes. In fact, one year I won Grand Funk's “We're An American Band” album. It was GOLD! Not only what it sold but the actual color of the album jacket. Someone told me the other day they actually released some LPs that were gold colored!
But I won it on the radio, and brought it home and played it LIKE CRAZY! I'd actually pretend I was a DJ too! My brother Todd won “Chicago 6” and I WORE THAT ALBUM OUT! “Feeling Stronger Every Day” and “Just You And Me” were hits on the radio right then so I'd play those songs and “We're An American Band” on our little toy record player and pretend I was a DJ. In fact, I think I made some little weird Radio Shack intercom system and told my brothers to go in the other room and I'd broadcast to them! haaaaaaaaaaa
I LOVED this time. I was all over the radio… listening constantly… and when you think about it… it's so eery how these artists and songs would be little pointers to what I'd do in my lifetime. And when you're a kid and dreaming, this is impossible stuff. To be listening to these artists and one day not only know them but be contributing to these legacies at some point in very significant ways.
So cut to years and years later… I make friends with incredible artists, writers, producers, you name it and some of my favorite most brilliant musical minds reveal to me that Todd Rundgren is THEIR guy. And truthfully, I didn't quite get it. I mean, I loved that song and it represented a big change in my life with where radio, hits, music evolution was in the early 70s but I didn't know what I had missed… and now I do know…
It's well documented that when Todd had those first couple of hits as an artist he did a complete about face to all of it. Staying in that lane repeating himself or doing what an industry was telling him what to do. Some would call it crazy? Sabotaging a moment that you might be dreaming of your whole life? Getting to the top of the hill and doing an about face? The reason I didn't know much about him was because the records he would start to make were so different and for lack of a better phrase, anti what he'd been before… I just didn't really hear any of it.
And now I know even more it's because I was listening to the radio… if it wasn't on the radio, I was young, impressionable and was in a social structure. School, basically the water cooler. We all went to school and were listening to the same music, watching the same tv shows… we had a common denominator… we wanted to fit in. We were wanting to like the same things.
Yes, there were a few people who were going off on different paths finding underground stuff and Rundgren's subsequent recordings would certainly be in that category, as he'd chosen to take it.
I have one friend in particular who I won't mention by name… he can leave a comment if he so choses but I'll keep him anonymous for now… and this guy became one of the hottest music producers in LA for a good stretch. This guy influenced me heavily around 2007 onward. I started working with him and the speed in which he worked really appealed to me. I like working real fast too. He's a multi-instrumentalist… and when I saw how he recorded I realized that's who I need to hang with. Letting it rub off on me.
Now remember, when I signed my first publishing deal in 1985 it was mainly to have autonomy. Because back then the gear wasn't out yet to be able to record decently without going into a studio. When the publishers who signed me asked me why I wanted a publishing deal I told them that a lot of it was to be able to go into the studio any time I wanted not depending on anybody else to get my in there… and I told them I wanted to be able to play all the instruments if I wanted and they gave me an opportunity…
I went in and recorded “Heart Of Mine” that I co-wrote with Bobby Caldwell and Dennis Matkosky… I played all the instruments on that demo recording… that opportunity was literally what landed me the opportunity to join Chicago as the new lead vocalist at the end of 1985. Funny how I didn't really go back to that for a LONG time… the self sufficient musician. And that's because suddenly I had access to the best in the world. Best musicians, writers, producers… etc. But it's important to note what happened when I only relied on myself to go in and record.
So my buddy who is this incredible producer/musician and I are starting to really work on a bunch of stuff… and actually another thing he really inspired me to do was to not only work fast but do it wherever I was… and that was hotel rooms at the time. He would send me tracks for the major artists he was producing and there I'd go, into my room with my recording setup and get background vocals done. In fact, one of my favorite moments with all this and when I knew where the future was headed was probably somewhere around 2005 and we were on tour, Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire… I had sent my background vocals to my friend from our production office at the venue we were playing that night with EWF… think of this visual… I've got my stage clothes on, I've got my laptop wired into the internet… wireless kind of wasn't that robust yet… and Earth Wind and Fire was finishing up their set and we were about to go on…
All of a sudden I get this instant message from my buddy saying, “Plugging them in”… and I'm blown away… I sent him the files and he's PUTTING THEM INTO THE SESSION for the artist! He gets back within 2 minutes saying, “This is GREAT! Let me see if I can wrangle the first chorus into the other choruses”, and I'm thinking, “I was just sending them to you to see if we're close on this or not” and he's already plugging them in?!
He gets back about 2 minutes later and says, “It's great! It's working” and I'm just kind of standing there in awe… I'm hearing Earth Wind and Fire's last song which means there's going to be a 20 minute break before we go on… and all of a sudden a couple minutes later I see this instant message from my friend and it says “Sending”, and I'm going “WHAT????” and all of a sudden this moment happens where I literally saw the world change…
Robert Lamm walks into the production office and the file had just finished downloading to me and it starts playing and Robert lit up and asked, “What's THAT?” and I said, “It's Clay Aiken's new record… I just did background vocals today in room 308. This is the new way of making records.” And I was never the same. As technology improved almost on a daily basis I started putting systems together to take out on the road with me and did more and more work for my friend who would send me tracks… he still does!
SOOOOOOO, and I know this is a super long winded way to get to the point… BUT, my buddy would tell me from time to time how much Todd Rundgren meant to him… and it REALLY piqued my curiosity. If this is HIS guy, I need to dig deeper into this… but didn't get around it at first. We would have very spirited discussions on this and he knows Elton is MY guy. We'd actually have debates on the Elton vs, or compared, to Billy Joel. Billy Joel is my buddy's favorite between those 2. So there is definitely a fundamental difference to our tastes but still, the fact he was, and is, a self admitted Todd Rundgren FREAK I was very intrigued.
Well, cut to this last year. I was just finishing up my solo record that Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts produced. Basically an extension of the work we brought to the table to enable Chicago to get back into the studio after 16 years of no new music in 2006. We started a solo album on me right after Chicago 30 and got about half way through and I told him I wanted to shelve it for a while. We were touring so extensively that I just wasn't into stopping and starting so much so we put it on the back burner.
We revisited it about a year ago and realized we needed to finish it. Once we were getting close Jay said he was going to go around and start talking to agents to book me. He said, “When your record comes out the fans are going to want you to get out and perform so I'm going to speak to some agents.”
One agent pointed me toward Toby Ludwig. He said Toby works these corners real well of us legacy artists. Can you believe that? Going from being a kid listening to radio like I did in 1972 onward, not even really making my own music yet, to eventually playing at the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with the band I contributed some of the biggest hits with in the 80s to eventually become a legacy artist?! What an amazing thing…
So Toby says he has this great tour he's putting together of an all star band to go out and perform The Beatles White Album. He says it's Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz and Joey Molland of Badfinger. It took me about 5 seconds to think about it!
Now I need to say I didn't really know any of these guys… I'd met Christopher a couple times and played bass on one of his albums (he wasn't there during my session), but the rest would be new to me. I'm not afraid of that… I know some people get a bit nervous or concerned when there's a new group of folks to work with… and in all honesty… sure, there was a part of me that was thinking, “You never really know… these are BIG artists with I'm sure big personalities… so you just never know… it could go one of 2 ways” but I was really looking forward to it.
I'd heard stories about Todd over the years. The one that seemed to be the most consistent and would explain all the sub categories of the stories, is that he's brilliant… actually genius level and with that you just might get strong personality… very strong opinions… and I'd heard he could be very sarcastic… (which guess what? that's music to my ears!).
Now my buddy gave me a bit of a crash course on what he knows about Todd. As long as you're not fawning all over him, that's a good thing. And I'm thinking, “No problem… fortunately I'm not a freak like you are! Now if it was Elton, I'd probably be freaking out a bit here”. And I was also told as long as you're bringing the music, everybody's happy. So for the most part I'm pretty comfortable going into this. And, I'm one of the names they wanted to add to this for marketability… so I'm thinking that we're all looking at the list of who's doing this and either knowing or will be informed of what everybody's done and there will most likely be a certain amount of respect walking into it. Which there was. So the only thing that could go wrong is to start freaking out about this… which I wasn't worried about…
And that's not to mention any of the other names on this. I mean, come on! Micky Dolenz? My age group was experiencing The Monkees AS IT HAPPENED! This was MUCH more of a potential fanboy scene for me than Rundgren would be. And Christopher Cross… I'll never forget being in Evanston, IL with my buddy Bill Quateman in 1980 waking up one morning to a very soft level of a nightstand radio playing “Sailing”. Another life changing moment for me. I was hearing the voice of an angel coming out of the speakers… it was morning so the metaphor was I was awakening… I was as far east as I'd ever been. First time past Arizona as far as leaving the comfort of my youth and discovering a new world. Again, looking at the signs… in a city that would be the name of the band I'd join, eventually performing that song “Sailing” and providing harmony vocals to him and reading from our mutual fans, “Jason's voice is the perfect compliment to Christopher Cross's!” I mean, come on you guys… it's as if I'm making this stuff up, right? Just kind of too over the top, BUT, it's true. And Joey Molland? Not only performing with him nightly but singing background vocals to him on his upcoming solo record? Hearing my voice with Badfinger? Crazy… but true.
When I was doing my homework for this White Album tour I not only studied the actual White Album but I was brushing up on my partners for the tour. Listened to the Badfinger hits we would perform… (I already knew the Monkees stuff just because… it's in your dna!), revisited and learned Christopher's stuff, learned Todd's 2 tunes he'd be doing during our mini set of our hits… and I found a book on Todd on how he produced records… Now THAT sounded like a great way to check this guy out.
I knew that he produced “We're An American Band”. I didn't know it or would have looked for that as a 11 year old kid but I'd heard it somewhere many years ago. And THAT impressed me. The sound of that record, EVERYTHING about it, was as great as it gets. The recording… all of it.
Well, I dive into his book and realize HE WAS THE RECORDING ENGINEER on all this stuff he produced! In fact, one of his first gigs was being a staff engineer, which backed into the first opportunities he'd get as a record producer, such as taking over the reins on Badfinger's “Straight Up” album that yielded the hits… “Baby Blue” and “Day After Day”. George Harrison was producing “Straight Up” and got pulled away to do the “Concert For Bangladesh” so Rundgren stepped in to finish the album as the producer.
Now let's just pause for a second and think about this… I remember, vaguely since it was 1971, hearing about this. I remember when the Badfinger hits came out and it was right there during this time when I was getting into LOTS of radio listening. The Beatles were still together, not much longer… and during that period of radio I remember “Maxwell's Silver Hammer” came out… so I was there present listening to the radio when the Beatles were still releasing singles… amazing to me when I look back on it and saw what I great up in. And more amazingly, to eventually become part of this family.
So here's this guy who's really not even thinking about being an artist, at least not as his main thing… is being hired as this wonder kid engineer, started producing… started having hits and then has one of his own as an artist… well a few actually but “Hello It's Me” is what I'm referring to.
I keep reading the book and all of a sudden the essence starts popping out… the speed in which he works… (which is truly where I choose to be these days because I believe when you put the right ingredients together and get out of the way that's when you're going to capture the magic). The fact he's PLAYING on these records. One of the greatest quotes from this book is that he'd tell the artists, “If you know what you want I'll get it for you. If you don't know what you want, I'll do it for you” HAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I love it! No goofing around… let's move! Let's GO! And with that, of course you're going to step on toes now and then.
I'd heard that about David Foster… that he'd just plow through and sometimes there would be feelings hurt. But guess what? These guys are hired to make hits. It's called *produce* which means produce hits. And they did. It's what was expected of them and that's why they were/are called.
As I kept reading this book I realized this was what I did at first that launched my career… I went into the studio, played everything myself and produced a hit. Boz Scaggs ended up cutting “Heart Of Mine” but it was a hit for me in the sense that it started everything for me.
And then, as I kept reading about how Todd made/makes music one thing really jumped out at me. Sure, great engineer, great producer, great artist… actually there are 2 things that jumped out at me… I already knew about the first thing but when I went back and revisited his work, I heard it for myself… he is one of, if not the first person to be self contained. He not only was engineering getting great sounds but he PLAYED EVERYTHING. All the instruments, INCLUDING the drums! Reading how he'd press record in the control room and have to run out to play drums and then when finished run back into the control room to stop the tape! Now THAT is having to get it right! This is before you can go in and really fix things like drums.
And then, the REAL epiphany happened… when I realized ALL THE BACKGROUND VOCALS WERE HIM! Now think about this… I've made a career out of being a singer and not just that having an affinity toward background vocals and not just background vocals, BIG background vocals. I was under the tutelage of the best. Starting with David Lasley and all the great vocalists he'd assemble for my first pro background vocal session dates, on to Bobby Caldwell and ultimately Bill Champlin one of the all time great singers and recording singers… yes, lead vocalist from another planet but the background vocal thing… otherworldly… and that's what I made my career with. Mainly Champlin and myself. Not only Chicago but Kenny Rogers, Gino Vanelli, The Commodores, George Benson and many more.
So when I found out it was Rundgren doing all of those background vocals on not only his own stuff but on records like Meatloaf's “Bat Out Of Hell” record? (which he also produced). Celine Dion! I mean, go back and listen to those records and listen to the precision of the background vocals… that sound like an extension of the artist… not drawing attention to itself!
I mean at the risk of comparing, (which in one sense is really impossible… there's no one like him), this reminded me of what I've always strived for… if I'm singing background vocals with anybody I'm trying to make myself an extension of them. And I know that's not an easy thing… and here's Rundgren… operating at this highest level! And really just supporting… not trying to be noticed… the guy behind the scenes… an unsung hero if you will…
And I'm really relating to this! As a 23 year old kid and getting thrust into the spotlight of singing all the singles off Chicago 18 with a LOT of spotlight and attention… when I'd go back into the role of singing background vocals and with Champlin… (remember, this is my teacher… and early mentor) I'd watch and saw how Bill behaved… sure, we were singing some of the biggest pop hit singles as lead vocalists in one of the greatest American bands but when we shifted duties and worked for someone else, it was about supporting that artist, that song… and here's Rundgren doing it, as one of the founding fathers quite honestly… leaving the clues for people like me that eventually go on a discovery mission and realize what all the fuss has been about!
I'm also a HUGE Hall and Oates fan and am very grateful to have toured with those guys too… and come to find Todd is one of Daryl's biggest heroes. What?! I never would have seen that coming… until I actually went back and studied it.
So here I am embarking on this tour here in 2019 and realizing this is a guy who I related to in so many ways. The artist who wears so many hats and isn't caught up in that one thing… and again, I almost wince when I call myself an artist in the same sentence as Todd Rundgren. And yes, I know I am one and continue to explore and expand what that is… but I'm pointing out that I'm able/lucky enough, once again to be standing next to someone who is going to influence. In fact, that's the one thing, even before I did any homework on Todd, I knew would happen. Or at least I thought there was a good chance of it, and it actually did. I figured other than the music, (which I was becoming a fan of for the first time… the deep stuff… the stuff I realized now are the things that have created the Todd freaks), but what he'd be like *as an artist*. Let's see what that looks like.
And as I've just released my 2nd solo album “Here I Am” a couple weeks ago, I'm out there as an artist and really for the first time as a solo artist. So I figured one of the benefits, potentially, would be to see what an artist like Todd would be like.
And here it goes… this is going to be so simple… I'm not going to pretend to know what goes on this guy's head but this is my interpretation and most importantly how it hits *me*. And remember, I'm not specifically looking for this. If we just went out to perform this music and he was just another great artist doing his job, fine and dandy… but I'm a pretty observant person and especially when something is brilliant, to me. When there is that thing that's going on that no one else would be able to catch… (and how would they? I'm speaking of my own experience and the impact certain influences would have on me), I REALLY take that stuff in. And with all the things that have happened in the last few years of my life, I'm reminded almost daily to take it all in because life is screaming by and on a dime it changes. We lose people… we are faced with a new world… it's happening left and right. I guess it always has… it's just that when we get to a certain age and more change, loss, etc. happen we keep getting awakened.
So back to Todd… he's standing right next to me on stage. FIRST thing I notice, is he walks out with an outfit that is PURE rockstar. And not put on. Not trying to be anything… it IS who this guy is. And as he's standing on the side of the stage, where I'm standing, and we're ready to go out, I see and feel his energy that it appears this guy LIVES for this. So how do you think that makes me feel? Monkey see monkey do. There's an energy that goes out on that stage and it's EXTREMELY heightened. And as I look across the stage, everybody has it. I'm not going to throw all the credit to Todd… you've got Micky Dolenz, Joey and Christopher not to mention the incredible backup band we have… it's ON.
And we get out there and start wailing “Back In The USSR”. And as it goes into the guitar solo Todd turns to me and I turn to him and we start doing rock pose, head bobbing moves and it's authentic! One of the first shows we did as our hair was flailing around he leans over to me and yells over the stage level, “We have the Hair! Let's USE IT!” and we just start ROCKING OUT!
We then go into “Dear Prudence” which I sing and feel out of the corner of my eye Rundgren reacting to notes, feels… this guy is IN IT. Then, we go into “Everybody's Got Something To Hide (Except Me and My Monkey)… and let me tell you… THIS IS NOT AN EASY SONG TO SING IN THAT RANGE. And it's Todd's first song of the night. I remember in rehearsals when he commented on, “Nice, my first song is up in this range!” and I have to say, I was thinking to myself, “Man, that's not only up there but to sing it properly, with the gravel and growl… mere mortals would be TOAST after night 1”.
Well, EVERY night this guy is not holding back… and delivering. EVERY NIGHT. I'm noting to myself “TOTAL… COMPLETE… OLD SCHOOL… WORLD CLASS… PRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I can't believe it. EVERY NIGHT. And not only that… later in the show he sings “Helter Skelter” and it's even MORE of a potential throat killer because this guy ISN'T GOING TO BACK OFF. And guess what? He never misses a note, all tour. Never coming up the next night a little *worn out*. NEVER. ALWAYS THERE. PRO!!!!!!!!!!
I'm taking this all in with a front row seat and being schooled, again, nightly… and I have to say that when I look back on all the concerts I've done with Chicago I've never felt like I backed off. I lost my voice a few times over the years. I mean where I literally lost it, and still would try to sing the tunes… I never backed off… I'm proud of that truth. But when I see Todd Rundgren go out there and on NOTE 1. He is absolutely delivering on another level and I'm just thinking of all the people who would be thinking to try and be careful… Don't overdo it… pace yourself… but this is another one of those examples of extremely world class and I've been so lucky to have them as a simultaneous peer/partner but a mentor/teacher right alongside of that. And I'll also throw in to all the up and comers… you have to pay attention to see it. I see so many younger people who miss this kind of stuff… they may be in a higher/better position as far as their current professional status and think there's nothing to learn from these people but wow, if you have your eyes open and are lucky enough to work with these folks… the lessons will blow you away, if you're paying attention.
So we've got this going on… we're out there getting this tour up and running and we start drilling it as a team. We start selling out and the reviews are awesome… so much that we're getting interest and offers to do it next year as well. About 2 weeks into the tour we're all riding along on the bus… and there are a LOT of us. Since this was a real startup and we had to go out there to get it going we've had to do it as economically as we could so there are a LOT of us on a bus. Here's another thing I was wondering about how this was going to go. Was there going to be 1 guy who would commandeer the back lounge, or the front lounge and the unspoken rule would be, “Don't go back there… that's so and so's space…”? But guess what, that didn't happen.
All of a sudden one night after a show and the thing was really gelling I looked around and notice we were all up in the front lounge! There was Todd, Micky, Joey Molland, Joey C. our musical director, Darin – drummer/vocals, Gil – keys and Geoff our tour manager… I think there were 8 of us up there. No one was in the back lounge… and we were hooting and howling… the thought occurred to me that my buddy who loves Todd so much give anything to be stuffed in a front lounge with a bunch of dudes including mainly his hero… and here I was, in the middle of it. THEN, it occurred to me when it was explained to me on many occasions… all of us are heroes to someone. Each one of us has people who would love to be up in the front lounge hanging with us… and again, I realized how lucky I am. And I'll go one step further that we ALL are heroes to somebody. Everybody who reads this… don't ever forget that. You are a hero to someone so make sure you let them know you acknowledge that and honor it.
One night I drove with Todd into the city, NYC, with Toby since we had a day off and it was a really nice ride. Todd ended up playing some songs he's working on… mainly collaborations he does with other people and of course, since we were working together and from my perspective it was going well and I felt we have a nice thing musically going on, (you should hear him singing background vocals with me on “25 or 6 to 4”! Actually I'll post at the bottom of this), so I'm thinking, “Man, I'd like to collaborate with him…” but you never know… this is a guy who can pick and choose so who knows? So I figure I might as well just kind of probe a little bit.
And I'm thinking about my project with Tommy Thayer. We have 8 songs recorded we wrote with Randy Goodrum and they're just kind of sitting around incubating. A lot of it is pretty close to being finished but Tommy's out on the “End Of The Road” tour with KISS that's supposed to go all the way through 2021. But I called Tommy and asked what he thought about me asking Todd if he'd be open to hearing any of our stuff to possibly mix? So I asked him… and he told me he does it all the time. He said, “Just send me a song, and if I like it you can send me another one” and I thought, cool. He's at least open to listen. So I sent him one. He got back to me a couple days later and said he'd take a crack at it. When I called Tommy he was super happy Rundgren would possibly work with us.
I sent him the files when we got done with that tour and in typical TR fashion, everything I'd heard about him, he whipped up a GREAT mix quickly. I played it for Tommy, who loved it, told Todd we loved what he had so he went in and finished it. *Detailed* it as he put it. It came back the next day and there we had it. One of our tunes mixed by Todd Rundgren.
After going back and studying what this guy is about and now having worked with him as a performing artist but now he's gotten involved with my recordings, I can't tell you how happy I am to not only have met an icon but become an associate. AND, believe me, for those who know me… my wheels are spinning on ideas to do some other things with him. Based on my solo album having just been released and having an amazing team back in Nashville with Jay and our other partners on the record label side of things, they all know this solo album is basically just opening the floodgates. As I said, I have the project with Tommy Thayer that's almost complete. I've reconnected with Mark Hudson on Joey Molland's record and we talked last night about new projects… my team knows I'm going to be forming my own production company to do many projects. And one thing I'd LOVE to do is put together some kind of project with Todd. Don't know that is, what his ultimate interest would be, his availability… but this I do now… time and life are screaming by and I'm not waiting for anything.
I'd like to close for now by saying I went to this AWESOME party in Akron, OH during our first run of White Album tour dates. Kasim Sultan performed Utopia stuff, along with Gil who has been playing in Utopia and us on the White Album Tour, and they told me that if I attended this party there would be so many super fans for Todd there. Getting all geared up for our show the next night… and they were… well, the amazing thing were among those fans there were many who had seen me over the years with Chicago and were so wonderful, gracious, appreciative… and as I was told, suddenly in all my posts in social media, I'd see many of you starting to show up! You have to know how great that makes me feel that our families are expanding. And I know how much you love the music… believe me, I'm paying attention… and if there's any way to continue to grow our recordings, our associations, our lives together, I will do the best I can to facilitate.
We've all run into each other for a reason. And I'd love to say how happy and grateful I am to not only have been able to work with Todd Rundgren musically but now I have him as a friend.
Here's to the next run of White Album dates we have coming up… (this was written on Nov 20, 2019)
Thank you all for being here!
Jason
Very Cool! I am a big fan of yours and Todd. I would love to hear the song you mentioned. Happy Holidays.
I feel honored to hear how you feel about Todd,he has so much talent people do not know.You are so kind to your fellow bandmates,please tell me your not leaving Chicago.My world favorites are EWF & Chicago both groups are genious A devoted fan Shirley
That’s just awesome Jason, Of course I’ve kept up with you career over the years. Having grown up in the La Mesa, Lemon Grove and El Cajon area, one of my very closest friends is Donnie (Darque) Marries (before he became Darque)…I started playing guitar at 5 watching my brother play in Linda Vista with the likes of Victor Marquez, Johnny Soranno and Ron Collins. I played with the band Vinney Bonne’ and worked with Eric Denton of the Monroes in the studio. I’ve since moved to the Midwest and raised a family but always keep playing. I ordered your new CD and am waiting for it to arrive…I keep touch with Darin and Lauren to a degree and look for your next release…I know it’s a bit out of the way but if you ever get anywhere near Enid, Oklahoma, you are always welcome and if you had a show out this way I would enjoy seeing you perform! Keep on rockin’ Cliff
Thanks for appreciating our guy. And we love you too!
What a great read!! “If you know what you want I’ll get it for you. If you don’t know what you want I’ll play it for you” Haaaaa indeed!! I love it! A real Pro, a leader and right up your alley as someone who knows how to deliver and get the job done on stage or in a studio going background vocals on a time crunch. Thank you for schooling me in what all the fuss is about Todd. I’ll be watching the show on December 2nd with a new level of “paying attention” for those pure Rockstar moments and how you are influenced by them! Your “Here I Am” record is Grammy Worthy!
Hey Jason!
Sounds like you enjoyed my book A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio! Right on!
YOU BET I DID! Thank you so much for that Paul. I actually started reading it again.
You should read his book “The Individualust”. Each chapter is 1 page long and each page is 3 paragraphs long. You can read it in order or out of order it doesn’t matter. It really gives you an insight into the man and the artist. He is so special to his “cult” and I see that we are loving you now too. Enjoy your time with “our hero”. ❤️
“The Individualist” slight Freudian slip there.
First time I saw that book was in the Belmont University library. I think it might be required reading in the Music Business curriculum.
I learned so much about Todd’s career from your book, Paul. It was jam-packed with interesting information and it is a valuable music history document.
SO COOL JASON! REMEMBER THERE WERE “TODD IS GOD” STICKERS AND URBAN ARTISTS WRITING IT EVERYWHERE (like an answer to the reverence of Clapton)…’Something Anything’changed a lot of people like losing their virginity. For me in “western PA”, it was singing falsetto in the back of the parent’s station wagon on the way to ice hockey practice…BTW-Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds was on the heavy rotation list at the same time as “Hello It’s Me”…Cant wait to see you both together in 2020!!
Wow!Thank you for sharing your Todd experience. So glad you can see what it is that endears us fans to him. Saw you in Ft. Lauderdale at the beginning of the tour and you’re phenomenal. You and Todd seemed like you’ve been playing together for years. Great dynamics. Wish you continued success and admire your openness both in expression and in observation. Enjoy the holidays and don’t work too hard! LOL!
Amazing , Jason! I’ve shared with our Rundgren group!!
I knew with this tour you would gain so many new fans from our tight knit TRibe.
We love that you get Todd as all of us do.
Great article , written from your beautiful heart.
See you in Greensburg for my 7th White Album Show.
Great story, resounding in my mind as I read it. I remember my father would always say, ” if you can dance, you can get girls”. So, music and romance were intertwined as I explored both. The radio was an essential element of my development. The common item. The great denominator. My dad was in Naval Security at Great Lakes, Illinois, and he would let me ( a 12 year old), shhot pool in the pool hall with the sailors deployed there. Man, could they dance! Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Pacific Gas & Electric. They could move! The experience was singular!
Way cool, Jason. Have a great tour with Todd, Chris, Joey & Mickey. Can’t wait for your project with Tommy Thayer with Todd on mixing, too ! Keep fingers crossed, you’ll come to Japan in near future.
Dear Jason Scheff,
THAT was an amazing post! And I’ve read A LOT of music writing — as well as done a fair amount of it myself (we’ll get to that, later) — and you are in rare company, being able to MAKE the music and talk about it in a way that COVERS ALL THE BASES. In just those 6,000 words (yes, I’m a word nerd) you exhibited the ability to communicate what it means to be truly CONNECTED to music, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. If I admit that parts of your RUNDGREN essay brought me to tears — so much heart, so elegantly stated, composed with incredible self-awareness (drawing the distinction between ARTISTS WHO INFLUENCE and, well, all others) — I’m not just blowing smoke. Your vibrations are my vibrations, and it is an honor to discover you as an artist.
TODD IS MY MAN, TOO. Do we have to state that here? Perhaps. I discovered “Something/Anything” in real time, went back to the Nazz and Runt records, bought every subsequent album (yes, every) and most of his production projects, too. I worked with The Tubes while I was with A&M Records (another chapter in the story). The fucking Tubes, man. And don’t even mention The Band. My god, that was my gateway into being a performer myself, learning those amazing Robbie Robertson songs. I got to talk with Levon a couple of times. What a life.
Also let me pause here to say our “Chicago” (band) experiences are vastly different. I was a HUGE fan up from album one (CTA, still brings a big smile to my face; South California Purple, am I right?) until — wait for it — Chicago 6, when you became enamored of the group. After that, I heard crickets in most of Chicago’s music. I’d moved on and they’d commercialized. Until “Feel,” that is. That showed me a little of the old spine-tingling Chicago. I don’t know if you had a hand in that song or not. As you’ve pointed out, listening to music today is easy, but I miss the albums, the liner notes, the credits — in short, being a FAN. This is a honest way to say that, until I started reading about and seeing YouTube clips of The White Album tour, my awareness of Jason Scheff was, at best, minimal. I found it very cool that you were hanging with Bill Quateman — I did a little PR work for him at one point — and when I mention Champlin to people, they have a distant look in their eye, like maybe I’m a little too geeked out about music. Oh well, their loss. Safer than most addictions, eh?
I’m almost nine years older than you are — when you born, I was discovering radio and music at the same time in the powerful ways you’ve described. Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” was my first 45, followed by stuff by James Brown, Steppenwolf, Grand Funk (of course!), Beatles, etc. Listening to my transistor late at night in my suburban Chicago bedroom, trying to pick up the cool stations in Toronto, NY, one in Arkansas, I think, plus all the HITS that WLS and WCFL competed to bring to the kids. I idolized the DJs, called them and hoped they would recognize me on the air, which sometimes they did, and maybe hoped to one day join their ranks. Other than some college radio experience at Loyola University, it would take me a long, long time to get on the air as a daily program host or whatever they’re calling it these days (this did not happen until I’d “retired” from the 9-to-5, at 56 years old, on a cool independent station, KDRP, just outside Austin, TX), although I’d been a “guest” on many shows over the years, and it was just as satisfying as I’d hoped, albeit a lot of prep work.
Because no radio station would hire me out of college (1976), I somehow found a gig as a writer, starting with the Illinois Entertainer (I would not be surprised if you read stuff under my byline over the years) and eventually contributing to many little Midwestern ‘zines, as well as Billboard, Creem, and the music news wire produced by United Press International, where I eventually landed a “real” job in journalism. My description of the very first FARM AID concert in Champaign, Illinois, went around the world several times over, and that was just one of many highlights. There is a book, yes. A couple of years ago, I got around to compiling 50 of my interview/profiles alongside some personal chapters in a book titled, “Everything I Know I Learned From Rock Stars” (Eckhartz Press). I’d love to email you a PDF — it you’re interested LOL.
I’ve interviewed Todd a few times, and my chat with him about producing Cheap Trick is in the book. I’ve been blessed to talk with some cool folks about music — Orbison (a highlight for sure), Jeff Lynne, Nils Lofgren, Queen, Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett, and many others. One slow day at UPI (this isn’t in the book) I was bored and knew the NAMM show was in town. All the endorsers were staying in one of three hotels, so I started calling around and asking for Jeff Baxter. In about 10 minutes I had him on the phone and filed a little tidbit on the wire — for all the “rip and read” radio DJs out there. It still blows my mid how many times those guys read my words on the air. Sure, I wasn’t on the air myself, but then again, I was. Wow.
After 25 years of rock crit-dom, around 1989-90, I became much more interested in performing live. I’d played guitar and vocalized since the age of 13, in church and high school folk nights, and whatever, but never seriously. I started attending classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music, learned how to take the music apart and put it back together again with other people, and put myself out there as a performer, for better or worse. I think I kind of sucked at first, but I’ve gotten much better at entertaining over. the years, and now would not hesitate to jump into any situation. Well, that might be an overstatement, but I’ll give you a relatable example: two years ago I moved to Hua Hin, Thailand, about three hours south of Bangkok. When my life took a turn (it happens), a rocker pal of mine from Chicago (we go back 40 years) told me I should check it out, I listened. Five weeks after arriving I was playing “John” in Magical Mystery, a Beatles cover band with two Thai brothers as George and Ringo, and a Dutch bassist, who only sang two Paul songs, so I had the bulk of the lead vocal duties. That I played guitar left-handed gave a nice visual to the state scene, and I was happy to revisit close to 80 songs the band was doing, including some deep White Album tracks. God, did I love to sink my teeth into “Savoy Truffle” and “USSR.” That project is over now, but I’m still with “Ringo,” and we do about 10 Beatles songs in a new band. I’m ready anytime a Beatles band wants to jam!
So, I feel we are brothers from different mothers. You totally “get it,” on all the levels, and I love you for that. I’m now a big Jason Scheff fan, and look forward to checking out more of your projects. Thank you again for such an illuminating post about my favorite artist of all time, and best of luck in all of the music that is yet to come your way.
(Please write back if I can send you my book, LOL.)
Jason!!!
Love, Love, Love, reading this! As an all around Rundgren, Chicago, KISS, Utopia fan this was such a thrill! By the way Tommy Thayer is an excellent guitarist, I was so stoked to see he is on your album!
Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences and moments of your life with us!
Alex
P.S. I was the kid who shared the story of how Chicago music was therapeutic after my Mom’s passing on Rundgren Radio with you! From Idaho!
Jason, you absolutely did fantastic singing Searching So Long with Chicago!
Thanks for sharing you have a way of making all of your fans feel like they are part of your journey. Loved seeing you on stage with Todd. My husband and I took my 14 year old son to to see the the white album tour in Westbury. He doesnt play an instrument but he sings. You all have turned him into a Beatle fan. He has been trying to perfect his vocals for every song on the white album. Your a great role model.
Thank you for the great story Jason! Will be seeing Y’ALL IN TEXAS!!!! Can’t wait!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jason, didn’t your dad play on some Runt cuts?
You’re ramblings are always great lol! This was beautiful. I’ve been told over and over by Ashlé how she has pinched herself to make sure she was truly experiencing what she was touring with Todd, watching, listening, learning-taking it all in- she is in awe of his genius, his authenticity. It’s so nice you’ve given us insight from time to time as to how you see things, what they mean to you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on Todd. It’s great to see/hear your prospective on this incredible guy and artist. Ohhh and Todd’s fans ARE amazing!!!
Yeah, lucky is one way I’ve looked at my opportunity to sing behind him. The fact that I was chosen blows my mind… ME. the fact that I had the opportunity to get so close (not just professionally but personally) to such a wizard and genius of an artist was more than a blessing. Truly an honor… I hope you guys had half the fun we’ve had in the front lounge. Welcome to the club oh and remember, if u need any background singers … holla at ya girl. Xo
This is “Global Girl”, Ashle? (And Mom?) I thought you were so amazing on those tours! It’s great that you appreciate Todd and his genius. What projects are you involved in these days?
Jason it’s so funny how you say your stories are so long & you can’t explain any other way!!! I like to talk a lot!!! I mean really a lot!! To save you from me writing a book to you my conversations with my youngest daughter seems to always end with “Come ma land your plane”! I find it hysterical!!! Still trying to figure out how to get tickets with the VIP pass to meet you all & im not having any luck! As an alternative you guys can all stop at my house, I’m 10-15 minutes away from The Arvada!!! Think about it I’m game if you guys are? I’m not holding my breath but in case I get that lucky a little notice would be great!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
❤️ Thanks for this interesting post. I loved experiencing the Beatles White Tour and was so impressed by the performances by all of my favorite artists!
Last year I was elated to meet Todd Rundgren and his wife on the Blue Cruise! Think about doing a similar type cruise with this group of artists. What a sellout that cruise would be!
Thank you for the great music! It makes our world better!❤️
Well… there is a cruise coming up in Feb of 2020 that 2 of us are on, as individual solo artists. The 70s Rock and Romance tour. Todd’s on it and so am I. Yes, I wish the other guys on the White Album tour were on it as well since we’ve just gotten to know each other but Todd’s on it and so am I. I don’t know if it’s sold out yet but you can check it out by going to http://www.rockandromancecruise.com/schefffan
Dear Jason,
Wonderful post on our Todd.
We can hear your heart in your words of Respect. We set the bar high for Quality Musicianship and you have earned all the Todd Fans following you. I was at that PARTY IN AKRON and we were so happy to see you stop by. Your chemistry with Todd on stage is a big reason Im going to the next show in Greensburg PA. Keep it coming!xo Nansak
You are an amazing writer. Thanks for sharing your heart with us. I appreciate it very much.
Jason, glad that you’ve met & are learning from Todd. Todd is truly a great & humble man & his spirit thrives in music. I honestly believe that if Todd could not engross himself in music everyday, he would feel incomplete & be very unhappy. So, glad that your paths have crossed & may you learn much from Todd’s warm energy. As you say Jason, “life & time are screaming by” – so true. Therefore, learn everything you can that Todd is willing to teach & share with you. I wish much success & joy to All during the rest of the “White Album Tour”. And of course, a Happy & Special Thanksgiving 2019 !
love your playing style, and of course your voice! so talented. loved meeting you even though it was only for a few minutes. i’ve loved chicago since late 70s. pretty much that’s when i was discovering music, around 9 or 10, similar to you. dream of mine is to have you play at my bar, i know it’s not really a possibility but that’s why it’s called a dream! i am following you on all the social media’s, and even have my younger wife loving your stuff. gonna buy your new album very soon. listened to here i am on youtube, of course i loved it. nice article as well, loved your thoughts on other bands that influenced you. have great day, hope to see you at a venue close to me soon!
joseph daniels
Jason it has been so great seeing you start with Chicago & move on to a solo career. The WA Tour was great. So looking forward to seeing you in this next faze of your career. Best of luck. Did meet& greet,wish I could have got your autograph for my tattoo
Jason, great story, from the heart. Admiration from talented musicians and artists. Music has always been my passion too. Whatever kind of mood you are in. Thank you for sharing your journey with us throughout the years. Keep making those beautiful and inspiring songs. Rock On my friend.
We hope to get you or any of the guys on for interview in Pittsburgh this week. Reach out to your road crew to call Anthony at iHeart!
Jason, I loved reading your very well written post. I loved your work with Chicago since you started with them. I as garage band drummer, I have totally enjoyed my involvement in all the bands I’ve played in all my life & recently sitting in with a group after about 7 years if not playing at all. Theses guys are a much higher Calibre musicians than I have ever played with & I love being challenged by that. It is nice to read the personal side of someone to whom I have personally looked up to for years. Thanks I enjoyed reading about your experiences, I can so relate. I don’t know where or what I’d be doing in life but my small involvement with music gave me a direction, a new way to be accepted. Music is who I am, a fan of music forever. Never stop growing & learning…
Hi Jason,
Thank you for the great post. Great information that I never knew about Todd. It must be our age group because I also remember how important radio was and playing records.
Chicago has always been my go to band but all of the other Artist you mentioned, including Todd Rundgren were up there too.
I don’t think that you give yourself enough credit. I remember the first year that you joined Chicago. Leaving the concert with my girlfriend (now wife) saying the new guy is really good. Every year after that we saw Chicago, and it just got better every time. You definitely made a huge impact over the years and should feel very confident playing with and being one to the “Legacy Artists”.
I also want to thank you for being so open with the public. I don’t know of any other Artist that has provided such insight with Periscope, Facebook Live, etc. as you have. Everyone I know really enjoys it (especially Tracy Time!).
Again, thank you for the insight on Todd and for all of your contributions to the music industry. See you on the cruise!
Sincerely,
Joe White
Dear Jason, thank you so much for taking the time to “Sing Shout It, Tell The World About It” our Hero and TRuly the greatest wizard a true star ever known. I wish I had seen you at our grand event in Akron, as I would have been honored to shake your hand and thank you for your musical gifts to the world. Being just 2 years older than you, I can definitely feel your love of the radio in the early 70s and the growing up to music in every style out there. I was given the gift of first hearing “Something/Anything” at an older friends house who was an avid Todd fan. I was 14 and that was IT for me. Todd has been the music of my life since then and I am so very gifted to have followed his career – he is my musical muse. I also, have been fortunate enough to spend some very personal time with our hero as well with our TRibe. He is the most amazing person, tells the funniest stories and really enjoys spending fun times with fun friends & fans. He is a down to earth as one can be and has a great quirky sense of humor too. We all love him so much and I thank you for writing this. Oh – one last note, please visit the http://www.spiritofharmony.org website – this is Todd’s foundation to support the moral imperative of musical education for children at the earliest age possible. Have a great rest of the tour!!! Can’t wait to hear your collab soon too 🙂
What a great story! I really enjoyed how you walked through the whole arc of the story. So glad to hear you are still living for what you do in this current chapter of your career.
Jason, Great post. I love reading your experiences. I checked your dates, and I am so sorry that I didn’t know about your Cincinnati date sooner. Anyway, it is great to read about Todd. I learned a lot more about him than I knew before. Thanks for the update on the project with Tommy Thayer. I was hoping to hear how that was coming along. Hopefully, after he was done with KISS, maybe you all could tour on it, as well. Yeah, 2021 is so far away. 🙁 Love the both of you. Thanks for sharing the video. You sound amazing, as always. Love ya. Terri.
What a wonderful story Jason!
I turned 16 in May 1972 and got my driver’s license on my birthday. The first solo drive I made was to the record store to buy Todd’s “Hello it’s me “ album.
I will never forget that event !
Looking forward to seeing you on tour sometime soon !
At 70 years young, I followed Chicago since their beginnings and they were/are great but when you came on board I took notice at the “youngster” with the great voice and wicked bass. I was sorry to see you leave the group but am happy that you’re continuing with your own music! Thanks for that! I also remember Todd Rundgren’s music from back in the day. I’ll have to check out his recent music for sure. Keep the great music coming and maybe some day I’ll be able to make one of your concerts!
Wonderful read Jason! I was lucky enough to experience seeing the White Album tour at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA. It was awesome and could see how you interacted with Todd on stage. We also got to say hello to you after the show and so much appreciated how nice you are to your fans. I am lucky to be able to tell you that I have one of those “gold albums” of Grand Funk’s “We’re an American Band”. I wore that album out too along with every Chicago album. Can’t wait until I receive my signed copy of “Here I am”! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
That was a great read!
You are quite a writer, dear Jason! You manage to put into words such beautiful memories, experiences, feelings like no other! ..And then you share all these special personal thoughts, memories, feelings and moments with us. It shows us exactly the special person you are…. Thanks so much for being who you are.. Much love and blessings to you, forever….
Thanks for sharing your beautiful vibration with us. Flew to Akron for the amazing party and show and because I was in the pit I could feel your enthusiasm and joy bouncing right off that stage to all of us. We are happy to have you join the Todd family and love that you “get it” 🙂
Where did you learn your gift of writing blogs, articles and other written documents? Do you have an editor? I didn’t see one error. The length of this blog could actually be considered a chapter in a book – maybe three or four pages in book form. If you took all of, or certain ones of blogs you’ve written, you already have a book. Have you thought about a book at this point. It would be a good time with your touring, album and other events. I’m sure you have these blogs recorded. A book could be published in a month or two since you already have the copy. Just an idea. Enjoyed this article as I do anything you write –
Jason,
Your TR blog is fabulous! It is true that radio and turntables were constant companions for those of us growing up in the 60’s and 70’s so that today we are bonded by the soundtracks that stir up deep emotions and memories. Could it be those sound waves altered our DNA so we are musically related and drawn together?! It might explain the attendance, enthusiasm and engagement you’ve witnessed on this tour. I’d like to think so!
My brother Darin is also having the time of his life and is blown away by the reality of sharing the stage with all of you. Your blog reveals so many things that he has in common with you such as playing DJ as a young boy while wearing out many of the same albums, winning radio station contests, writing, recording and producing soundtracks completely solo, and of course the love and passion for the Beatles that ultimately brought all of you together.
I’m holding tickets for the Grand Prairie show and understanding more about how each of you ended up on that stage together will make the experience even more enjoyable. Thanks for all the insights and I look forward to more of your blogs. Enjoy every moment of the next few weeks-I hope there will be more shows added next year!
Gina Murphy
I love how you write! You write how you talk and you can hear the sincerity in your writing! Keep making us smile and make more great music!
Jason you really know how to put what you honestly feel into words. I so loved reading this. You definitely have a gift to write this. I am a huge fan of Todd from way back. I was so fortunate to see you at Westbury in New York. . This show was absolutely incredible. Hope you continue to enjoy this show and whatever comes your way in the future. Looking forward to getting your new CD.
Jason, its so funny hearing you talk about your fellow musicians on the White album tour….you sound just like the rest of us when we’ve met you!! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with you and that is a time I won’t ever forget being the rock and roll junkie that I am. I’ve also met Micky and Joey, albeit very briefly and those were unforgettable moments as well. I would have loved to be a fan on your bus just drinking in every moment of being around so many terrific artists. I’m still hopeful you can bring that White album tour to Omaha on your next go around. I appreciate you sharing these moments with your fans…that’s what makes you an extra special human being who just happens to be a great musician as well.
Hi Jason,
Great read from a brilliant writer. Thank you for taking us into your world, and sharing so generously your thoughts, dreams and well deserved successes. You sure have a way of making everyone feel special.
SMALL WORLD
I too grew up loving radio. Got to know the DJ’s , went to the stations…, knew every word to every song…
Music Director of our college radio station….
Then, as a junior, landed a job at WMMR – Philadelphia’s # 1
Rock Station.
The DJ’s played Todd Rundgren all the time. He’s from Philadelphia, my hometown. . Thing is, I had no idea who he was, even as his music blasted up and down the station’s hallway.
I liked the other stuff from the 80’s – Earth Wind and Fire, REM,
Crowded House, Prince, Billy Joel, New Order, The Cure, INXS,
you get the picture.
Then, I went to see The first show of The White Album Tour. He was a good guitar player, and very funny. We were in the second
from last isle. Awful seats. Went to see you guys again, this time in Pa , great seats at the Keswick Theater.
I paid attention. My focus was mostly on you, but then the tall guy next to you caught my attention. He was ON Fire! Energetic ,
great voice.. hilarious. The women to my right were Rundgren freaks. They were completely inebriated, but still tried
to explain to me his greatness.
Fast Forward, your blog. WOW!!! This guy is a genius!!!!!
guitar player to engineer, to producer!! Then, as computers started taking over conventional listening devices, he basically taught himself how to apply computer technology to music.
I’ve since heard him speak. For a man of such talent, he is so humble, a complete gentleman.
I am now a fan!!!! Jason, the two of you, and your collective creative ability, could musically produce anything!!
Thanks again for taking us along for the ride!!!!!!
I hope to see The Dream Team Band a 3rd time!!!
Hi,
French TR fan here. He was born to be a musician. Great article. Great insight.
Jason, Thank you for the great blog– it was filled with so much information, and I truly enjoyed reading it. You seem like such a wonderful person, giving credit– where credit is due. Love your music, you still have an exceptional voice! Your info on Todd Rundgren was very interesting. I too, believe that he is a great musician, songwriter, etc. Hello it’s me, has always been one of my favorite songs, along with ” When I saw the Light”. I don’t think that Todd has always gotten the recognition that he do deserves– you brought this to light. Happy Holidays to you and your family– and keep the blogs coming!!
Hi Jason! So glad you get it! Todd is amazing, we all agree! Welcome to our TRibe! You are pretty amazing too! Enjoyed seeing you on the boat
Hi, Jason!!Did you hide the comments??!! I can watch them!Don’t know if it’s just me!! Unless you are updating the site, or giving it maintenance!!