What runs through your mind just before you walk onstage?
That's hard to say. I'd say part of the time I'm a little nervous, part of the time I'm anxious to get out and get it started, and part of the time I feel suddenly sleepy and wanna go home to bed.
Have you ever gotten stage fright?
Sure. I more often get stage-stupidity nowadays. I get distracted or something and forget stuff. What a peeoyk.
What was the weirdest gig you've ever been hired to play?
Hmm. Playing the Friar's Club in NY was one kinda weird. I've done weddings. THAT's weird too. I've played a childrens museum... played a Bar Mitzva at the United Nations.. let's see... there have been some wacky corporate gigs...
Honestly, too many to recount. I think I might kinda bury some of those memories!
Many musicians seem to have one particular on-the-road story where a certain show or experience turned out to be more like a string of weird events/comedy of errors. What is your *Murphey's Law* story?
Well, there are a few I'm sure. The one that comes to mind first was a moment that took place at a Styx show in 1991, when I completely forgot an entire verse of a big hit of theirs ("Too Much Time On My Hands") while I was singing lead. I found it frightening, invigorating, and absolutely hysterical at the time, realizing there were maybe 10,000 people in that room and the only one who DIDN'T know the words to that song was the one guy with the microphone singing.
One time I held up a flight because I'd fallen asleep right at the gate. They kept paging my name. Suddenly, I woke up, and when I walked on the plane the passengers all burst into applause.
Another time I boarded the wrong flight. There was a Patty Smyth show in Rochester and I managed to climb aboard the plane to Buffalo. Upon arrival I took an hour cab ride to Rochester and made it to the venue just moments before showtime.
During some of the making of *Welcome To Hollywood*, you were on the road with the classic rock supergroup, Styx. What was it like trying to strike a balance between the road and the recording studio?
It was hard. They like to travel as much as possible. Two have the freedom to bring their wives along when they like, but other wives aren't allowed. Recording is sort of a home-based thing, but somehow, to everyone's credit, a number of very good records have come from it.
Looking back now, is there anything you would've done differently?
Hmmm. Nah, not really. I mean, I've caught some flak for the little bit of rapping on the album, but I still probably would've done it all the same.
How does a song you've written make it's way onto another artist's album?
It's different every time. Sometimes there's a proffessional effort - like if a Publisher or "song plugger" runs around trying to get a song to artists, Producers or Record Company people. That's how my song "Every Day Of My Life" got to the band Open Skyz.
Other times I'll collaborate with an artist for their album, such as I did with Dennis DeYoung with "Love At First Sight" (Styx).
Then, when you get real lucky, an artist like JoDee Messina will hear a song I'd written on a record ("Delicious Surprise" by Beth Hart) and wanna cut it themselves. It varies.
M&M's.. plain, peanut, crispy, or peanut butter? Or do you prefer Reeses Pieces?
I'd say plain and I really dislike Reeses. My family thinks I'm nuts.
Your fans often collect various pieces of memorabilia from your career. Are there any artists whose memorabelia you collect?
I used to be on an Elvis trip, mostly because I found him to be an interesting decorative icon. So I filled up my house with Elvis stuff for awhile there. That's getting old now though. Anyhow, I have a supposed lock of the King's hair. I figure as soon as they get the cloning thing down I am in possession of enough Elvis DNA to eventually grow one of my own.
When I was little I belonged to the Smothers Brothers fan club. I had two autographed 8 X 10s of each of them. As I type this, I'm certain it amazes me more than anyone.
Would books fall into the 'memorabilia' category? I have a number of books and photos on the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys. I'm very into those guys, and I just can't seem to read enough about 'em.
"I think people would be amazed to learn that I.."
..decided I wanted to be a filmmaker rather than a musician - when I was like 12 years old.
The wonderful "Glen Burtnik's School Of Rock" radio show aired on The Hawk 105.7 FM for a little over a year. How did that idea get started?
My good friend Kathy Wagner is in radio, and there's a friend of hers, Debbie Mazella, who is a DJ at a Jersey Shore station. I believe it was through those two that the Program Director of The Hawk (a classic rock station) got in touch with me. Actually, I had done an interview promoting my Xmas Xtravaganza on his station, so we met that way first. Anyway, we got to discussing an approach to a show, and I told him my idea about doing a slightly historical spin on rock, which he liked. That led to that little show.
In addition to your passion for music, fans know that you also have a love of painting. Which artists/styles do you most enjoy?
Gee, I dunno. That's tough, and I honestly don't know all that much about painting. There's a guy named John Currin who I believe is a really great living artist. I like Monet, Magritte, and of course, Dali.
Please describe (for the gear-minded among us) the specs & configurations for the perfect, customized, money's-no-object, dream guitar.
I'd like a Stratocaster, whose neck feels like a Les Paul, that has lotsa gizmos built in (midi, an acoustic guitar simulator) with pickups that make me sound like both Jimi Hendrix and James Taylor. How about that? Oh, and it must be lefty - strung righty.
As both an artist and a parent, what are your views on the importance of music in education?
Well, culturally speaking, I wish it were a better-covered topic. Way back when, I had a 6th grade teacher who played us Bach in class. I also remember in my elementary school years a Mrs. Quackenbush who used to come in with her Autoharp and have us sing songs (she let me strum sometimes). Do they do that kinda thing anymore?
Now I'm afraid that music may not seem as important a topic, in light of the fact that educators are struggling just to graduate high schoolers who aren't illiterate. It's tough out there in the educational world, at least from what I've heard, and I suppose learning music seems much less essential than how to add and read and.. um.. SPEAK even.
I also can imagine studying music and music history to be completely boring to kids. Lord knows I've met enough middle aged people who discount any and all music before, or after for that matter, their own generation's. There's a world of adults who have no interest in the importance of Muddy Waters, much less Mozart. For them it's Kiss or Madonna or Scorpions or whatever and that's it.
I wouldn't wanna force art down anyone's throat. I guess it's best when it's your personal discovery. At least it's been that way for me.
What I do wish was that there were more TALENTED educators. I think teaching isn't a calling so much as a gig to fall back on. I've been to too many parent/teacher conferences where I was bored senseless by some bland, uninteresting poor communicators. I feel sorry for kids, actually.
How did you end up with 4 cats? Any plans for more?
Darla picked out "Queenie" as a kitten. There are these woods near us, where there are some wild cats. That may be where "Lonely" came from. She was a stray kitten who sort of adopted us. Then came "Poo", very much in the same manner. Darla had a boyfriend who gave her "Winky". This all took place over time. But Queenie is the boss.
In addition to the Dynatrim/WangChung jingle, as well as the infamous Philishave commercial, how many commercials have you worked on over the years? Would you ever consider doing more?
I just sang on a demo for one a few weeks ago. I have no idea how many I've been on - A LOT though. Campbell's Soup, Kohl's, Sunoco gas. There were a number of fairly big campaigns I sang on. Not very hip, I guess, but I have a family to feed.
You've admitted to once being both a salesman for the Fuller Brush company and a chicken cook for Kentucky Fried Chicken before your musical success. What other rungs have you climbed on the employment ladder?
I delivered mail to secretaries at Johnson & Johnson, stocked boxes at a gift store, and sorted mail at a Post Office.
When was the very first time that you colored your hair blue? What were the general reactions of fans & family?
Just before my son Beau was born, in 1981. I remember the nurses freaking out that a Dad was walking around the maternity ward with blue hair.
For the record, I had silver hair once in the 70s.
Rumors still continue that a second Slaves Of New Brunswick album is in the works. Can you confirm or deny this?
Yes I can. But I shouldn't. Or I won't. Or I'll lie about it. The truth is Tony, the others and myself have discussed this a number of times. We've come close to starting, but we ain't there yet.
What do you consider the most personally rewarding moment in your career?
I can't call one single moment as defining, but there've been a lot. I liked receiving an ASCAP songwriter award, having it handed to me by the writers of one of my favorite songs, Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (Nik Ashford and Valerie Simpson). I liked meeting guys like Paul McCartney and Ringo, and I LOVED working with heroes of mine like Brian Wilson, Jackie DeShannon and John Waite.
On a recent night (June 18, 2005), I played a solo gig in Philadelphia. My daughter Sally sang a little and my old friend Bob Williford jumped up on stage to sing a few Beatle tunes with me. Just like old times. Bob was in rehearsal for Beatlemania with me back in 1978, and I guess you could say I learned "Paul" via his "John". It brought back some memories. That didn't suck.
©2005 AllThingsGlen.com
|
