aka 'The
Trogg'
Interview
When and where were you born?: February 25th in
Columbus, Ohio
When and where was your first public performance?:
In a band called Broke Dick Dawg which formed in the Airman's Club on the Air
Force Base I was stationed at - Minot AFB in Minot, ND.
What is your favorite performance memory?: There
are too many, every time I play it is such a RUSH!!! (pardon
my shameless plug for RUSH) There have been some
great times in Ohio anytime Dave Craycraft & I hook up when I'm "Back
home". I think I can choose one from there that stands out, but I don't think I can choose just
one from overall...except maybe.......................Okay!
The 3 Robin Trower tunes on the Point Of View CD, because
they were recorded live. It's honest and real, we didn't dub or overdub, or
re-record anything. Dave's vocals were rough and it embarrasses him greatly on
one of the Trower tunes, the one for James Dewar - uh - Somebody Calling. But we
all agreed that live means live and real means real.
You know, there was a fourth Trower tune in that live
recording, we went into "Too Rolling Stoned" after "Somebody
Calling". Those four songs were recorded live and non-stop, with each song
leading into the next one in 3 unrehearsed segues. A solid 25 minutes of
non-stop music with some blistering lead solos from Dave! Really wish we had
been able to put that medley on the CD intact! Maybe when we release our LIVE!
Album, we'll be able to include it then!
We've created allot of music together over
the years as Dave Michaels Project & Sapphire Bluez, but I think this is our best
ever! Nothing we've done before matches what we've
done on our first CD as Cross
Town.
And our live performances are better and more powerful than the CD because we've
really grown into the songs now. They recreate themselves each time we play.
What is your main instrument?: Drums. I play
around on the guitar a bit and I tend to hum Bass lines while drumming if it's
just Dave John and I. Tends to make for some
interesting mix problems as I can't seem to stop when we're rolling tape for a
take. And by mix problems I mean Dave and his ears. Guitar players - Geesh!
I understand you are also a professional driver?:
Was, for over 16 years. I drove for Upstaging, which does most of the major
tours. I love the road, and I've met some of the most interesting people around
the country and up in Canada over the years. I am ready to get back to the music
now. Really want to spend some time playing and creating new music now and leave
the trucking to the other guy!
What made you decide to pursue music?: It's
just what I had to do. I have only one regret about the years I've spent driving
for other bands; it has kept me from staying in performance shape and keeping my
chops tight. Usually, when I had a break in my schedule, Dave and I spent the
first week with me working the rust out of my joints and head. After that,
we plug in and have a go at it and things just fell into place.
What have you accomplished so far in your career, or is
this a hobby?: I've had to admit that anything you don't do daily to
earn your bread is basically a hobby. However, it's a serious one for me that is
now my daily gig. I've
spent my life listening to all styles of music and learning from some of the
best and most experienced names in music every chance I got. The driving gig was a means to
an end, a way to pay the bills and get to know some of what goes on behind the
scenes and how a tour really works.