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01:00:00 0 |
PETE FORNATALE INTERVIEWS CHRIS HILLMAN ON MIXED BAG RADIO
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01:02:01 121.4 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PRACTICES "EIGHT MILES HIGH."
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01:04:35 275.53 |
FORNATALE DISCUSSES SEGEMENT LAYOUT WITH CHIS HILLMAN
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01:18:54 1134.2 |
PETE FORNATALE INTRODUCES GUEST, CHRIS HILLMAN. HILLMAN GOES IMMEDIATELY INTO A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF "EIGHT MILES HIGH"
Pete Fornatale 18:54 Hello again everyone and welcome to another edition of mixed bag radio. This is Pete Fornatatle at the Gibson Baldwin showroom in New York City with my special guest today Chris Hillman. |
01:23:50 1431 |
Pete Fornatale 23:51
Chris Hillman and as different a live version of eight miles high as I've ever heard, and I didn't miss the 12 string one itty bit. Chris Hillman 24:02 it's it's just a different it's just a different look at it. Pete You know I mean, I certainly never we never were trying to compete with the birds version. That's your stands on its own, but I'm proud to have been a part of that record. That's a great record. It is a great record and this was just a little different. We were goofing around with this onstage herb and I and and when we got down to doing the record, the fellas at the record label. Really wanted it on the record. So when then we have Larry park playing guitar and Bill on bass and it worked great. Pete Fornatale 24:35 Well, in fact the the gentleman to your left was with you on your last visit. That is Herb Peterson Yes. Welcome back. And and behind you, Chris Chris Hillman 24:45 Bill Bryson on the bass Bill and I have been working together off and on for 20 years. He's definitely up for sainthood. And to my right is a wonderful, wonderful musician that we You've been working with off and on to for the last few years is Larry Park. Pete Fornatale 25:04 Welcome to you all. Pleasure to have you here. Eight miles high is the lead track on the new CD Chris, the one called the other side. I have two questions about it. One is when you revisit a piece of material like that, you do revision it in a way, correct. Chris Hillman 25:28 Somewhat on this particular song I didn't I know what you're saying. But I didn't really look at it in in any a different light other than we were approaching it in a softer, gentler way. Right. So I felt we were putting more emphasis on the lyric now that lyric is I think, well, of course, David Crosby and Roger Megwin did contribute. But most of it is Gene's songwriting, and anybody that's familiar with Gene's work well recognize his lyrical style and that it is such a descriptive look at our trip to London in 1965. And it was raining and it was just so interesting. It was like we were kids going over first time over the ocean, first time to another country with a number one single Mr. Tambourine Man in the States. And so looking at it differently on this, I was just you know, here we are, we're approaching a little gentleman, more gentle, more gentle. My daughter would kill me she's an English major. Just a little different look at the lyrics, I think we brought a little more focus to the lyric. Pete Fornatale 26:41 And of course, it was completely misinterpreted at the time and turned into something that it wasn't and isn't. Chris Hillman 26:49 We lost some momentum on that one. We were I believe the Old Gavinport. God bless them all. But they they misconstrued that whole song as as a drug song was the furthest thing away from anything like that. And, of course, you and I, Pete have been doing this a long time and look at some of the lyrics that are on the radio now. Thought, really? So. Anyway, yeah, eight miles high had was a great departure for the birds. always wondered, in hindsight, if the original five members had stayed together beyond eight miles high. That song was bleep 1966 Because it was such a radical departure, where we would have ended up musically, you know, and that's something to always ponder, tantalizing question that was a great song. I mean, it really it was a wonderful song. Pete Fornatale 27:43 Well here's part B of the question, Chris, to my ears, and listening to the whole CD, this might be the most overtly Christian record that you've put out. Do you agree? Chris Hillman 27:55 I agree, it is my gospel record. I didn't mean to go out and proselytize or convert. I was always we've always approached that and a fellow I write with, and in a very, very under low, subtle way. I was looking at more as Yes, it is as a Christian undertones and the positive I felt thing. And I it's hard for me at age 60 to write any angst ridden songs that maybe a young youngster in their early 20s singer songwriter is already writing about and then I go well, wait a minute, how much life have they experienced? I feel pretty comfortable now with my life. That record the CD was sort of conceptually designed for, for my age group from 45 to 75. To sort of a stretch Pete Fornatale 28:47 You can stretch that that number Chris Hillman 28:48 I can stretch it a little more. Yeah, but yeah, it is. It's my gospel record with the exception of eight miles high and a few other songs and there's about three or four secular songs so to speak, but nothing's like blatantly in your face, as I would say it's not a Christian album in that sense, you know, but it is has those leanings. Pete Fornatale 29:11 You say in a note on the record, this has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have done in my entire career. Given the nature of your career that's quite a statement to make. Why do you feel that way? Chris, Chris Hillman 29:23 because it was so easy to do now herb and I have known her longer than anybody in the business I met herb way before the birds and herb and I are like brothers we fight we laugh we you know 44 year relationship. He's phenomenal. In the studio as a session player as you well know and singer he's been on everybody's records and knows how to get me off my rear end and get work out of me and he's a good producer how to sample the right people was very comfortable to record Word, it was fun. It was like, you know, I actually said to everybody, I said, I don't care if this sells one record, you know, it's the journey that counts. And this journey has been real nice. You know? And, and beyond that, and I look at it lucky, I'm making records, you know? Pete Fornatale 30:16 Really? Yeah. Yeah. These days. Chris Hillman 30:19 Yeah. So yes, it was one of the most enjoyable it was, it was devoid of any. In fighting, you know, my old analogy to ever take my old analogy of a rock band, or whatever a group of people are trying to create one thing, it's like, everybody has the paintbrush. And we're all trying to do the Mona Lisa smile. Right. And that's the hard part. It works. And as you know, having been doing this for so long, and talking to so many people in the music business. The interesting part of a group is is the initial essence and the goal, and it really is great. And then as a second or third record comes along, then the splintering happens. Right. And it always happens now, with the exception of the Rolling Stones. Who's lasted that long, the nitty gritty dirt band, maybe I don't know. But you know, well, as a great, great time. I had Pete Fornatale 31:13 Loggins and Messina pass through here very recently. And we got into a discussion about what is more difficult is it more difficult to be a solo, a duo, a trio, a quartet quintet, or more. And it occurs to me that you have been in every one of those situations and might have an interesting angle on the question, including Manassas where they were what 42? Chris Hillman 31:43 Well, we, we had quite a big band, it was a great band, musically, and pretty consistent on stage one of the more consistent acts I was in, on stage, but it wasn't always the most pleasant offstage situations. I like working I like working with other people. I like to write with other people. I like to work with other people in the top few times I have played solo, I feel very lonely. You know, and it's been it's really taking that beyond one dimension, and you have to really take it beyond that and and playing acoustically with Herb as most of time we play as a duo. If we're lucky, we get Bill who's if he's not busy, or if we get Larry or Sally Van Meter who played on the album, it just makes it even better. And and these guys are such professionals. There's no baggage, figuratively and literally, there's no baggage. Pete Fornatale 32:41 So do you reach a point where you're no longer struggling to grab the brush? Chris Hillman 32:46 That's right. You enjoy it? You're looking at it as a as what how lucky I am. How did how much did I take for granted years ago and I don't take any of it for granted now. And if and if it stops tomorrow? For me, I'm speaking for myself. Not for these guys. But it's okay. You know, you okay, back there, we losing Bill. Pete Fornatale 33:12 Not a problem. Chris Hillman 33:15 Lets us cut and we'll come back. Pete Fornatale 33:17 Yeah, we can fix it Pete Fornatale 33:28 well, you're talking, you want to finish that thought? Chris Hillman 33:30 Yes. So well. Pete Fornatale 33:34 For yourself, Chris Hillman 33:35 for myself, if it all ended tomorrow, Pete it would be okay. Are there any great mountains left for me to climb? Possibly. But I don't know if they'd be in music. Be honest with you. And I always look back at Artie Shaw, who passed away about six months ago already shot What an unbelievable musician he was. And he at one point, which I'm not going to do but he put the clarinet down. He says I'm not I haven't had enough of this and he starts writing books and he was a brilliant man not not educated in the sense of college college education but brilliant guy. nasty old man he was older but great musician and but mountains to climb. Yeah, I think it may be so in other areas, but I'm having such a good time now. And as I think I spoke to you earlier, I consider myself sort of half retired or and herbs case too. We go we pick and choose when we want to play. And that's really a luxury you earn nice and this and what's the definition of success. It's the guy who owns the bakery down the street who decides not to go to work tomorrow. Right? In a sense while you're gone. That's what it's all about. You know, Pete Fornatale 34:46 because the sounds dangerously close to maturity. Chris Hillman 34:50 That's right. I forgot I picked a professional we didn't have to grow up. I'm just I'm talking and I'm just checking to still make sure because it can be Ever so tricky. Anyway, yeah. Go ahead, Pete Fornatale 35:06 I find the new record, very soothing. And I but I do have a question of something that has been troubling me in particular over the last four years, which is that that overzealousness about religion is responsible for a lot of extreme destructive be a behavior and suffering on our planet right now. First of all, do you agree with that? And secondly, how can we understand or change the evil things that people do in the name of God or in the name of Jesus? Chris Hillman 35:45 Okay, but let's let's, let's look at that question. overzealous things done in the name of religion. I'm going to have to look at my frame of reference, and then I'll address the other side, okay? What an amazingly beautiful simple concept was was Christianity was basically love others as you would be loved or whatever, nothing you need not know any other Scripture than that, man. The Fallen species, I don't want to get into a sermon here, but has put the monkey wrench into it. As always, Christianity was built around forgiveness and love. I can't say that the Islamic faith is really in the same area of that and the Islamic faith was borrowed from the Old and New Testaments by Mohammed, there are good parts of it. I don't know enough about to talk about it. But it's really mankind throwing the monkey wrench into the deal that that does it. And yes, there are certain groups that are branded and anytime you get an ultra conservative movement, be it in Islam, Judaism or Christianity, you've got trouble if it's if it's if it's Orthodox Jews throwing rocks at your car on Saturday. If it's real right wing Christian evangelical Christians doing something if it's radical Muslims, blowing themselves up and killing innocent people for God. Okay, but there's back to square one man, the imperfect creation is throwing a monkey wrench into it, you know, and there is some validity to Adam and Eve in the beginning there really is one point I didn't take any any I didn't think much of that. But then you think well, man is really the Fallen species we aspire for for better things. So I don't know Chris Hillman 35:55 it does seem though, that that twisted, perverted notion is with us almost all the time all the time. Let me Chris Hillman 38:04 tell you something, even in where I'm I'm, I'm a member of the Greek Orthodox faith. Okay, Eastern Orthodox. Okay, right. There's there's fighting in our parish, there's fighting in Catholic parishes, there's fighting in synagogues. It's just when you get a group of people together even as as beautiful thing as a worship God, you will find infighting. And there it is, I you know, I couldn't answer your question all the way. Why does that happen? I don't know. It's, it's, it's a matter of, of living with each other. Pete Fornatale 38:40 Because to me, because the, because it recurs over and over again. And because the stakes get higher. And the weapons get more sophisticated. I know that from stones to WMD, is that the phrase, right, I'm not optimistic about Chris Hillman 39:00 we're bent on destroying each other. We're the only species that is that way. And so I go back to a theological answer to that, that man has fallen. And then I believe, personally, my belief is that Jesus came back as our Savior to try and teach us and that the way to to get along with each other, and it's still you know, just this is another discussion. Pete Fornatale 39:29 I know, I know, I know it is, but you know, it kept coming into my head time and again, as I was listening Chris Hillman 39:36 No, I understand. I know that I don't have the solution nor does anybody on this planet, you know, there is evil there are evil people that want it and I don't care I mean, it'd be nice if we weren't ran into a political side on the on the side if we were in complete negotiation with with that fat fraction of Islam right now and just nice as can be. They're not going to do it look what they've done you give that give them the Gaza strip back and they look what they did to burn synagogues and immediately start attacking I mean so where is that what's that coming from you know yeah they're bent on destroying they cannot sit down and negotiate Pete Fornatale 40:17 Having said all that I go back to my description of your album as soothing and and one of the tracks that I put in that category is the one called drifting would you do that |
01:40:42 2443 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PERFORMS "DRIFTING"
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01:44:20 2660 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 44:21 Chris Hillman and a live version of drifting a song from his latest CD the other side Pete Fornatale on mixed bag radio. I'll have more with Chris after this. |
01:55:29 3329 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 55:30 Pete Fornatale back with you on mixbag radio with my guest today Chris Hillman. Chris. It is 40 years since Mr. Tambourine Man became number one. What's in your heart when you think about those days, four decades later? Chris Hillman 55:47 You know, sometimes I go, gee, I wish I wasn't that shy kid in the back row and did more than but that's just my ego spouting off what a great time I you know, there was that certain innocence in that particular part. People look back on the 60s and go wow, this and that, to me, the 60s. First of all, I feel the Beatles helped heal all of us, after John F. Kennedy's assassination and came over out of just bang he just like God sent but the Byrds back then and Mr. Tambourine Man, I think it I remember listening to it on the radio the first time and I was pretty excited. But I felt like it probably may it probably was a far more exciting for Roger and David Jean, because they were the three guys that saying it you know, and, and Mike Clark and I were sort of the rhythm section and we were in the back line. But all in all it was it was great. And it was what a great piece of poetry that is to this day to go through for decades. You still look at that? What Bob Dylan was writing an unbelievable, just beautiful stuff. Pete Fornatale 57:04 It's impossible to talk about the byrds without talking about Bob Dylan. I'd be interested in some of your personal recollections about the man. Chris Hillman 57:17 I was so shy that I didn't really know him probably as well as Roger knew him and David probably knew him the best but I know he liked our version of Tambourine Man. He did come in as everybody that remembers the birds first album, there's a picture on the back of that album and Bob is sitting in with us at Ciro's nightclub we were working that was our cavern beetles Cabernet was are in place to work. And he was really nice. And I think we went out and did something within the next day. But every my brief contact with the man over the years has been very pleasant. He's been very, very, very nice. The first time we heard this song I do remember and I tell this onstage when herb and I play the very first time our manager Jim Dixon was very good friends with Albert Grossman, who was Bob's manager and Jim got ahold of a demo of some songs one of which stuck out was Mr. Tambourine Man, it was something Bob had not recorded yet. I believe it was Bob and ramblin Jack Elliott. Singing together. Pretty rough wasn't the Everly Brothers. But it really as I recall, it was very country as herbs playing now is a very country feel. Roger in his brilliant arranging talent, took it and put it into more of a pop feel, which worked good, but this is the way we first heard the song and I recall in 1964 |
01:58:52 3532.49 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PERFORMS "HEY MR TAMBOURINE MAN"
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02:02:16 3736 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 1:02:16 I have a one word review of that version of Mr. Tambourine Man, that would be Wow great song. You know, as important as Bob Dylan was to the byrds, the birds were that important to Bob Dylan in terms of opening up a whole new world for him, musically and audience wise. Most Most certainly. Chris Hillman 1:02:45 I think we gave him a little nudge to plug in. Pete Fornatale 1:02:48 Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Chris Hillman 1:02:49 And maybe possibly a little nudge into the country. But you know, he did come in. He did have his firmly grounded in roots music in Delta Blues and Hank Williams and all the above as most of us were back then, you know, and I always say there was only really three groups that came out of that era. lovin spoonful birds, and in Buffalo Springfield, that weren't really rock guys. They weren't garage rock bands. We all came out of folk music. And it was interesting because none of us had a blueprint to follow. The bird certainly didn't know we barely knew how to turn an amplifier on the Springfield. I think Neil Young probably had more some experience in rock and roll from Canada. But I know Stephen came out of folk music and Roger and David and Gene Sure did. Oh, yeah. So it's interesting. Those particular bands and suggests a Bastion, of course, jug band stuff and all that. Yeah, yep. Yeah. Yeah. Pete Fornatale 1:03:49 after all was said and done. You recorded at least an albums worth of, of Dylan songs. Besides the obvious Tambourine Man, any favorites, any, any ones that really struck you and stayed with you, as Chris Hillman 1:04:03 I always liked? It's all over now baby blue. I liked that one. And I'd always liked. I liked all I really want to do. But I'm going to really get in trouble for saying this. I think we should have stayed with Bob's version. Because I almost like Sonny and Cher's version, because they sort of stuck with Bob's original melody. And we started went all I really want to do is sort of David went into this harmony, which is neat. But I liked that song. It was It was a great tune Pete Fornatale 1:04:39 in fact, having the two out at the same time short circuited. Chris Hillman 1:04:42 Well, you know, it's funny when we worked at Ciro's. I mentioned ciros. In the nightclub, which of course, was a huge night nightclub in the 30s and 40s. In Hollywood, you know, that was where the all the actors and actresses would go and so we were working there for quite a while and So, Sonny Bono and Cher would come in and watch us sort of study in us. I think they got all I really want to do off of us doing it onstage there. ran in there. I got that thing. So Pete Fornatale 1:05:13 well, now the story is I heard it and you can correct me if I'm wrong, is that because of the competition? All I really want to do was the follow up to Tambourine Man, and because it got short circuited, either there was pressure from the record company or from yourselves to come up with something pretty darn quick to come back with. And that's another number one single for the group. Chris Hillman 1:05:40 You know, I don't recall your right but I think I give that to McQwinn. I remember I distinctly remember being on the road. And Roger sitting in the back of this tour bus and plays mi Turn, turn turn, I had never heard it. He had heard it from Pete Seeger. And he says, What do you think of this? I think that's a that's a great song. Our manager at the time said if you guys cut that song, it'll be your last number one. I don't know why he said that. I don't know what that was. But that song somehow stands probably is most remembered tune we ever did. Yeah. I go to the doctor last week to watch this. You're the guy that did to everything. I said I was the bass player. That's our legacy there. Pete Fornatale 1:06:30 Did you ever meet Seger or interact with Pete Chris Hillman 1:06:33 You know, when I met Pete Seeger? I was 15 year old kid and I went and watched him play in San Diego, California. And I was with my friend from high school who was a banjo player and we went backstage and he was really sweet. You know? We're little kids. This is 1960 He goes fellas keep keep practicing. You know? Yes. Great. Thanks for coming back to see me and then you just keep practicing and and we were looking up and boy there it was. You know, how cool is that? But he wrote Roger McQuinn a wonderful letter. I'm sure Rogers told you that and Roger has that friend I'm sure from Pete you know with this signature where the fight the banjo you know, Pete synchronising? Yeah he loved our version of it. It is it's beautiful and what he did with it. He took some liberties he changed the original Ecclesiastes around a little bit but his sense of melody for that was perfect. Just perfect. Pete Fornatale 1:07:28 You still do it yes. Chris Hillman 1:07:30 Yeah we do. Pete Fornatale 1:07:31 Can we? Chris Hillman 1:07:31 sure |
02:07:34 4054.71 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PERFORMS "TURN TURN TURN"
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02:11:24 4284.25 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 1:11:24 what a timeless piece of music that is Chris Hillman 1:11:26 I've sung that at funerals and Rogers saying my wedding yes said I'll throw this guitar in saying that married 26 years So right there Pete Fornatale 1:11:43 you know there is another timeless piece of music on the new CD and I have to ask you what is it about this song that people keep coming back to again and again and again to perform and record James Taylor did it a couple of years ago and one of his records and now you've done it on yours I'm talking about the water is wide. Chris Hillman 1:12:06 You know, I knew this going in I knew that a lot of people had recorded it and I especially James's version was great and I ran it by Herb I said what do you think and herb says it's great let's do it and and we kept it or sort of put it as simply as possible arrangement wise there's just there's something about it it's it's almost I don't even know who wrote it it's but almost public domain I think but if ever there was a beautiful and I think has ever so subtle, that Christian message in it. I do but I mean it's subjective to each each interpretation but beautiful song and I had done some other things with Jennifer Warnes. I've done a duet with her, which her produced for a Lowell George tribute album and then she had sang a couple songs with me on a solo album I did a few years ago but she was the obvious choice to have come in and sing and Pete Fornatale 1:13:06 your vocals work so well together and since Jennifer isn't here today, let's play it from the CD on mixed bag radio great I guess I'm just gonna put a tag on the segment and then we're gonna this is the end of the segment to stay at one second. Chris Hillman and Jennifer Warnes from Chris's latest CD the other side and the water is wide Pete Fornatale on mixed bag radio more with Chris in just one minute |
02:21:23 4883.94 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 1:21:24 Pete Fornatale back with you on mixed bag radio with my guest today Chris Hillman, Chris. Here's another one of those. As important as the birds were to x, they were important to Y, in this case, I'm thinking as important as they were to the notion of folk rock, they were as important to the notion of country rock. Was that a deliberate move on the group's part, or did it happen more organically than that? Chris Hillman 1:21:51 A little of both it we started to go in that direction. Way before the Sweetheart of the Rodeo album on an album called younger than yesterday. As where I came out and start writing I got a little more confidence going did not sing worth a darn for a few more years. But we had brought in a fellow that we'd all grown up with a phenomenal guitarist who later became one of the byrds Clarence white. Work with Roger for many years, brought Clarence in as a session player on a song called time between. So that was really the first country little area we went into as far as country music and a couple songs on that younger than yesterday album. Prior to that, on the second bird's album, we had cut a porter Wagner song satisfied mind. A little different than Porter had done it. But it was a big hit for Puerto Rico, but it was a lead legit country song and country hit. Then the obvious move over we of course, was around 1968. And when we had hired grand Parsons to come in as a side player, and I had sort of an ally in country music then and we sat in Roger and I were sort of spinning our wheels and we went and that was sort of a natural progression to go down in Nashville and do that now. Remind you as we have spoken, I mean, we came from those, that area of music anyway, Roger through folk music meet through more traditional country. So it wasn't a giant leap. It wasn't like protocol harem deciding to do the Kenny Rogers songbook or something it was, it was a it was a natural progression for the birds. And remember, we did oh, Susanna on an early album. Yeah. wasn't my choice. But nonetheless, we did jump into Stephen Foster there. So it was a natural thing to do. Pete Fornatale 1:23:55 It was also shortly thereafter that was your breaking point with the group. Correct Chris Hillman 1:24:02 right after that one is when Graham and I went off and started the flying Burrito Brothers and then just other things happened. Yeah. Pete Fornatale 1:24:10 Well, giving the byrds credit for opening that door. A lot of bands started Chris Hillman 1:24:16 well, that was really Yeah, I mean, as for the one thing Sweetheart of the Rodeo did do was open a lot of people's minds to this wonderful music, country blues and bluegrass music. And as all musical forms not all of it it's great. There's always that certain percentage that sort of, you know, not that great of any musical form be it jazz or country classical whatever, but there's some beautiful stuff there and it did open a lot of people. Pete Fornatale 1:24:44 I think you know this but among my favorites are poco Rick Nelson and the stone Canyon band with Tom Brumley when they when they started out why did the Eagles end up with all of the marbles Chris Hillman 1:25:01 because the eagles were at the right know, the eagles were really good players and I think they were just, they were sort of the guys behind coming along. It's not that nothing the next generation age wise or in the classical definition of next generation, but they were they were in a sense that bunch that was coming along behind the burritos, poco, Rick Nelson, Dillard and Clark. And also they were very keen on watching the mistakes of all of the other people before them. The byrds of this who had splintered apart who had done this Buffalo Springfield had splintered birds and split it all the early country rock stuff, so they're looking at all of that. And they wanted that golden ring. They were also good writers. And they worked hard and the original four, four piece group with randomizer Bernie leaden Glen Frey and Don Haley was really my favorite version of the Eagles. I thought they were they were phenomenal. So I always said, we had the ball, we handed it off to him. You know, we were in the game, but we were sort of starting to lose, lose the playoffs and we handed the ball off the eagles. They took it in for many touchdowns many, many years. And still out there in Herb and. I saw them on the NBC show two three weeks ago and they were flawless. It sounds terrific. Yeah. But my my favorite was version was the original four. I liked Pete Fornatale 1:26:35 the Desperado album. But that was like two or three. Chris Hillman 1:26:40 Yeah. Yeah. Then they became a rock band and it was sort of different but that's okay. Pete Fornatale 1:26:45 Listen, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge a bit more. The partner the the fella that you've known those 40 Chris Hillman 1:26:54 This guy next to me Herb Pedersen is one of the greatest singers in country and rock and rolling and has been on so many people's records. And we mentioned James Taylor, we mentioned Linda Ronstadt. Everybody and he makes us all sound good. And he's a great songwriter on his own. And of course, he got Emmylou Harris are first number one single I don't know if anybody knows that. Chris Hillman 1:26:54 That's the one we should talk about her. Do you want to tell that story? Herb Pedersen 1:27:10 Sure. Emmy was cutting her first album and she was a real fan of Iran Charlie Leuven, the blue sky boys the brother duets from the world of country music and bluegrass back in the 40s and Brian A her and her producer called me up and said you know we're gonna, you know, do want to iron Charlie's tunes and would you come up and play banjo on it? And there is a little banjo part in there but mainly just to sing the duet with her. And so she was recording up there and Coldwater Canyon. And so I drove up one night and a couple of takes we had it and it's to call if I can only when your love Pete Fornatale 1:28:05 I understand you do a version of it in the show. Herb Pedersen 1:28:07 Yes we do. Pete Fornatale 1:28:08 Please Chris Hillman 1:28:10 Am I Emmy or Are you Emmy? Herb Pedersen 1:28:13 I am me. You're me. |
02:28:20 5299.98 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PERFPRMS "IF I COULD ONLY WIN YOUR LOVE," AN EMMYLOU HARRIS SONG.
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02:30:50 5450.42 |
INTERVIEW CONTINUES:
Pete Fornatale 1:30:51 thanks, Herb I appreciate you're doing absolutely. Chris. As usual, our time is rapidly running away from us. I've got a few more things to wrap up with. Have you ever thought about doing a memoir? Chris Hillman 1:31:04 Well, I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing with you. In a sense. I had, oh gosh, this attorney friend of mine, and when after a few years ago about it now is gee, four or five years ago. I said no, I said, I I'm not that controversial. I don't know what you know. And then I said, My life isn't done yet. I think I have to use this old cliche, I think I hope some of my better stuff is ahead of me around the corner. But there are an herbs after me says you gotta write the book, because I do remember certain things, but always nothing malicious. It's always funny things that happened in these different bands and working with these different people that just, you know, they're there. If I can just hopefully, Yes, I'll do a book. God willing, it'll be when I'm 78 years old. Herb Pedersen 1:32:06 Can I say something. Johnny rivers, our good friend back in LA is writing a book. Okay. He is doing a memoirs. But he's starting from like, when he came out from Shreveport, Louisiana, to California in 1959. You can imagine the stories he has, because he was playing the same places, the birds did all of you know, all of that. And you know, he's got a tremendous memory, and so does Chris. He remembers a lot of these great stories that aren't malicious. Like he said, Chris Hillman 1:32:35 we had a good time, Herb and Johnny and I went to dinner. And Johnny and I are talking about stuff and just things that are around then what a small cottage industry, the music business was, and it was just so much fun. And and as we say back to that one word innocent, you know, and it was musical, it was creative. And when you if you were lucky to get on a record label, they kept you around for a while, you know? Yeah. Oh, anyway, but hey, we're still having a good time. Are we Pete Fornatale 1:33:09 Let me think I knew I wanted to go somewhere, specifically. Oh, well, the first comment I want to make is that if what I'm hearing here today is any indication, you still got, you still got plenty more coming for all of us? Chris Hillman 1:33:21 Well, I'm only as good as the guys that I work with. I'll tell you that. You know, I don't know how they put up with me. But Pete Fornatale 1:33:28 they are pretty teriffic. Chris, a young musician comes up to you seeking advice about navigating a life in music. What do you tell them? Chris Hillman 1:33:40 I'll tell you what I tell them. And I've tell told many, many young kids. I said, enjoy this. Get a college education, get a degree, get something you can fall back on. I'm dead serious. I look them right in the eye. It's a different business than it was when I started in 62 63. Get get an education and and especially now in the 21st century, something you can fall back on. And if something wonderful happens with your music or your acting or something great. But you'll always have something to fall back on. Because it's really, it's tough. You know, it's like playing the lottery, in a sense. That's what I tell them. And you know, and I just I'm sorry to interrupt, but I mean, as a proponent of education, the fact that I you know, at one time was going well, I'll give this another six months, and then I'll try and get back into school. And it's funny enough, you know, and I tell the guy that said, in 1962, UCLA in California, one of the hardest schools in the country to get into, you could have gotten into they were recruiting students back then, you know, it's 40 some plus years ago. And I say, well, I'll finish up some credits go back to school well something is happened and I don't look back and in regret at all, but it's it's a very important thing, especially now but yeah, follow the dream but ground yourself in reality as to what it is and where it's Pete Fornatale 1:35:14 I was just gonna say that it must make it all the more amazing to you looking back that you caught that lightning in a bottle with the birds that early in that young Chris Hillman 1:35:25 Hey, I was a lucky guy Pete You know, I wasn't the greatest player singer and, and I was really a team guy and, and and up until probably Desert Rose band when when, you know, I learned how to sing and write better and in front of band and stuff. And you know, I it was a great time I have no regrets. Pete Fornatale 1:35:43 It gave you a life. Chris Hillman 1:35:44 And I think God I think things happen for a reason. That's all you know, Pete Fornatale 1:35:49 if those problems that we were discussing earlier in the program do get ironed out 100 years from now in the year 2105. What would you like people to remember about Chris Hillman? Chris Hillman 1:36:02 Hmm, that's a tough question, isn't it? Herb Pedersen 1:36:06 He never took a dive. Musically, he never took a dive Chris Hillman 1:36:10 thank you herb. That's pretty good. But yeah. That I always tried to do better you know, and I always tried to be a better person and I had a long climb up a ladder to be a better person still working on it. I am you better believe I'm working on it. We all are, you know, you betcha. And that's going to save hopefully, our species if we could all think in those terms, but whatever Pete Fornatale 1:36:37 I am guessing that you believe in an afterlife, I believe firmly believe in heaven. How do you envision it Chris Hillman 1:36:50 a place of just serenity. I think a oneness with with God. But just complete serenity. And that's all I can tell you. I mean, I think that's the only only real supernatural thing any of us will ever encounter we just have to cling to that faith you know, our faith be whatever it be, you know, now but yeah, I do firmly believe in that. So Pete Fornatale 1:37:23 am I correct in assuming that the title of the album and the song has that notion? Chris Hillman 1:37:30 Well it does have that notion but it's also a play off of the old Baptist hymns you know where the Baptist hymns were always troubles and trials on this earth but they're in the hereafter where we will meet our our our Savior bought it out at us so it was it was serious it wasn't being tongue in cheek but that's really what it is a play on the other side to me is like we're on the front porch in Kentucky and we're we're doing a Baptists hymn It has nothing you know, and you know, what's funny is I told you, I was an Orthodox Christian. When I'm home on Sundays, I sing tenor in the choir. I am the only hillbilly Greek Orthodox singer, probably in the entire country, but they're doing Byzantine chants, to music and it is extreme the other end of the spectrum from from what I do musically but it somehow enhances what I do musically as what I probably do somehow add something to this and it's a good choir I mean it's it's just beautiful, but you're doing stuff in Greek and an English so it's really interesting Pete Fornatale 1:38:40 I think the other side would be a perfect way to wrap up this visit |
02:38:57 5937.55 |
CHRIS HILLMAN PERFORMS "THE OTHER SIDE"
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02:42:17 6137 |
FORNATALE WRAPS UP SHOW AND THANKS GUESTS:
Pete Fornatale 1:42:19 and that just about does it for this edition of mixed bag radio. My thanks to Chris Hillman for being our guests. Thanks also to Linda Federer, Chris Hall and Glenn Robinson. Special thanks this week to hurt Peterson Larry Park, Bill Bryson and the Gibson Baldwin showroom in New York City. If you'd like to know more about our program or see exclusive video performances by some of our previous guests, please visit our website at mixed bag radio.com This is Pete Fornatale, thanks for listening. |
02:43:10 6190.23 |
GUESTS GET UP, START PACKING UP, POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS, SIGN AUTOGRAPHS.
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02:47:00 6420.83 |
BLANK
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02:56:16 6976 |
END REEL
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