Red Leaf Rocks will feature another awesome line up of performers, featuring our Kids Camp rock bands as well as our adult groups. Come see our students tear it up!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
United States Art Authority (next to Spider House)
2908 Fruth Street, Austin, TX 78705
7:30 PM
Over on the Warwick Bass site, there’s an interview with Terry Hale, Red Leaf’s bass teacher. We always look forward to Terry’s positivity, stories from the road, and that low end rumble coming from his students’ lessons. Check out the article below, written by Dale Titus, and get to know Mr. Hale a little better!
As a veteran journalist I rarely have trouble coming up with a title for an article or interview. That is, until I tried to come up with one for this interview with bassist Terry Hale. Most of the world knows Terry has the longtime bassist for George Strait’s band, The Ace In The Hole band. So, the title I chose seems fitting, if not all that original. But as I was interviewing Terry I found out that he is MUCH more than what my title implies. He is a devoted student of music, a respected jazz bassist and a true gentleman.
After you read this interview feel free to email me with any suggestions you might have for a title that better describes one of the bass world’s brightest lights.
When did you first pick up the bass?
The first time I played a bass gig was when I was 11 years old. It was our sixth grade graduation party. Three friends and I made an attempt at putting a band together. The band consisted of two guitars, bass and drums. We played “Louie, Louie” about six times and one original that consisted of a G and an F chord. We called ourselves Green Saphron Mist. We were not very good, but we were entertaining to our classmates.
My first instrument was the guitar - all of my older siblings played. I did try sax for about three months, until my Dad couldn’t handle it any longer. I came home one afternoon and the sax was gone!
Did you take formal lessons?
No, just what was offered within the elementary school system at the time, which was singing, playing the recorder, and simple percussion. I mostly learned from my brothers and sister, who at the time where into the folk scene. I am most definitely an ear player.
When the touring slowed down in the mid-90’s, I did pursue some education from some local universities. I studied Music Theory, Improv, and Ear Training. I now have about 15 hours of credit from classes taken.
Who were your early influences on the bass?
I remember being about 12 years old when I first heard Ray Brown on the Merv Giffin show and it was a life-changing experience. I have spent the rest of my life trying to duplicate that sound. Motown was also a big deal for me. Those are just classic lines, and great musical lessons. The first song I ever learned note-for-note was Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”. It was a proud moment. Next came the local Bay Area guys: Jack Cassidy, Phil Lesh, Rocco Prestia - amazing players all. I then devoured the “Wheels of Fire” album (Cream). Jack Bruce was, and is to this day, a great hero of mine. Rick Danko was the guy who hipped me to fretless.
I guess I’d have to say I listen like a thief, and steal from almost every bassist I hear.
You are most famous for playing in the Ace in the Hole Band with George Strait singing. How did you first hook up with George?
It was in the summer of 1975. I’d been playing with some guys for about 18 months, when on one night the singer unceremoniously fired all four of us. We decided to stick together - I mean how hard could it be to find a singer, right? Well it took us a couple months. Right before school was to start, (we were all going to Southwest Texas State University ) we placed an ad on the bulletin board in the student union, “band looking for a singer….” On the other side of the board someone had placed an ad for a singer looking for a band. My room mate was the guitarist at the time and called me and said I should cut my trip home short and come check out this guy that wanted to try out for the band. I did and it was George. He was just out of the military and starting school on the G. I. bill. He came to our house that afternoon, sick with a cold, sang one verse and one chorus of a song called “Frauline” I was floored, told him to take two weeks off and come back when he felt better. We started rehearsals twice a day from about mid August until mid October. Our first gig was October 13th, (Ray Brown’s birthday as a matter of fact) and the rest is still to be seen.
The Ace in the Hole band has had the same musicians (with the exception of the guitarist who passed away) for over 30 years. Most bands don’t survive past 30 weeks! How is it that you all have stayed together for so long?
Desire, tolerance and a combined effort to learn our instruments. I guess the most important thing is to have mutual respect, knowing when to step in and when to jump back. This is one of the things I am most proud of, the fact that it is now a 12-piece band, but that there are still 4 out of the original 5 members here.
Musically, how do you stay fresh when you have been in the same band for so many years?
Space. When we aren’t working together, we’re working with different people in different genres. Also it’s very comfortable now to be on stage with each other. There is a lot of spontaneity - we can pick up on each other’s vibes and play off each other’s efforts. The things we’ve learned from working with other players we bring back to this band. We all are great at sharing musically.
What is coming up for The Ace in the Hole Band?
As far as I am aware right now, there is a CMA award shows this fall and our tour will start in January, 2007. Just “keep on keepin on” I guess.
How did your relationship with Warwick begin and what made you want to play them?
Our relationship had a rather mysterious start; seems some one was impersonating me at a Summer NAMM show in Nashville . Apparently this imposter kept stopping by the Warwick booth to get an endorsement. Luckily for me, (Dana B. Goods’ Artist Relations Manager) Michael Brown follows through. He got in touch with management, and they contacted me.
What made me want to play Warwick basses is the tone, the sound of wood, just huge balls. Warwick played a major roll in enabling me to “name my sound”. I found what I was looking for.
What Warwick basses and amps do you use?
I am proud to say my arsenal now contains two 5-string Thumb basses, one fretted with Seymour Duncan Basslines pickups that I used on the Festival Tours (5 yrs. of stadiums), a frettless that is my main instrument and closest to my heart, and a new Triumph electric up right which is blowing my mind and all those around me with the tone and warmth that I’ve never heard from a non-acoustic upright. It is an amazing instrument and incredibly fun to play.
As for amps, I use the Pro Tube IV with a 4X10 cab, and the new Blue Cab 60 for the Triumph. I had the opportunity to play the Blue Cab 30 recently and it sounds great and is compact as well. (The older I get, the less my amps weigh.)
Not many people know this, but you are an accomplished Jazz bassist too. How long have you played jazz?
I have always been a jazz fan, but I’ve only seriously been learning and practicing it for the last 10-to-12 years. I studied it by the only method I’ve ever used, which is to listen and play. I have the great fortune to be in a local music union that has many great jazz players, and they often teach summer workshops which I partake of whenever available. I also had the good fortune to be able to go back to my old alma mater and take a jazz improv class from Dr. James Polk, who was Ray Charles’ band director for 10 years. What an experience!
I currently have a couple jazz groups that I work with here in Austin . Javier Chaparro’s Jazz Ensemble, Playa Azul, (a Latin Jazz group) and the Rick McRae Trio (Rick being the guitarist for George for the last 22 years), and Caravan, which is a group I put together to help me learn how to play. Caravan has a flexible line-up that can be a duo, trio, or a quartet . Plus my swing groups, the Riff Ryders and the Hip Replacements, the Floyd Domino Big Band, and the Johnny Nicholas Texas All Stars, which is a jump blues big band.
How do you get yourself ready to tour?
Physically, I will increase my jogging miles and weights. Just being in shape when the tour begins is a great asset.
Musically, I will listen to shows from the previous tour and go over any new stuff off of the recent releases. George will usually call for about three days of full band rehearsals, usually hitting the road at the end of the last one. So I’ll make a personal CD of the songlist that we are sent, and play along with it for a week prior to those rehearsals, so I’m all ready to go when the rehearsals start. Mostly now it’s just like riding a bicycle.
You have accomplished so much as a musician. What goals have you set for yourself for the future?
To try to figure out how Ray Brown did what he did and why. To relax and enjoy and hopefully teach younger players anything I might be able to pass along. Catch up on lost years with my wife and kids. Learn how to play bass.
What are three things that a young bassists needs to be successful in music?
Practice: learn your instrument, where the notes are, the sweet spots. Music in general
Practice: your self-respect, respect for those that came before as well as those who follow and music in general.
Practice: humility, it will protect your self-respect. There are always better players, there are always those just learning, never believe your own hype; it is death for sure. Humble yourself to music in general.
Interview by: Dale Titus - DaleT@danabgoods.com
Thanks to Brent, one of our star Red Leaf friends (and a member of one of our adult bands), we’re getting the videos from our anniversary show posted! Here’s our teen group Behind the Red Door performing a little Cream. They’re pretty much awesome! Cheers to Keith, Rachel, Jordan, Mariah, and Mason for doing such a great job!
Red Leaf is growing in every way…new students every week, more teachers, more rooms…and now we’re offering guitar and amp repair along with retail for your musical needs!
Atomic Power Guitar and Amp Repair, owned by Jimmy and Chazz, has moved in next door. They know everything about everything…so if you need something fixed, bring it in!
They’ve also partnered with Red Leaf to open Stop ‘N Rock - the Musician’s Convenience Store. Stop ‘N rock sells cables, tuners, capos, strings, and all that good stuff musicians need. Stop in and say hey — they’re in the same building and right next door to Red Leaf!
Thanks to the talented and tireless Josh W., we’ve got tons of excellent photos from the Red Leaf Rocks Anniversary show! Here are a few shots, but head over to our Flickr page to see all of them. Thanks, Josh!
At a piano lesson, Dan asked his 4-year-old student, Lucia, if she would draw him a whole note. So she grabbed the sharpie and went to town. Dan wasn’t sure what was going on, and she really got into the drawing.
Dan: “Wow, that’s some hair on that guy.”
Lucia: “It’s you.”
What do you all think? We definitely see the likeness.
(Those are piano keys that Dan is playing).
We’re always happy to welcome another teacher into the fold, and now we’ve got Miss Charlie Faye to impart her mandolinistic (our word, not hers) chops on us all. Here’s Charlie’s bio:
Hi! I’m Charlie Faye. I’m a singer/songwriter, and I play mandolin and guitar. I graduated from Oberlin College in 2003, and then moved to New York to play with some more seasoned musicians I knew there. I spent a year touring with Dan Zanes and Friends, playing mandolin, guitar, and singing to all-ages audiences all over the world. I learned a lot during that time, including this: little hands love the mandolin. I’m a firm believer in everyone’s ability to pick up an instrument and make music - and have fun doing it!
I’ve given private lessons on mandolin and guitar to kids and adults since 2003. I’ve also studied voice for years, and learned how to sing harmonies alongside some fantastic singing partners.
I play a lot with my band here around Austin - Charlie Faye and The Total Sweethearts - and I sit in with other friends whenever I get the chance. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with you!
Last year, when Red Leaf opened its doors, the Austin Business Journal featured Dan and Geno and the start-up process. Read that article here: Austin Musicians Band Together For a More Corporate Gig.
Lo and behold the Austin Business Journal decided to do a follow-up on their progress a year into Red Leaf…because who can resist a success story? Read the new article here: Good Vibrations.
Thanks, ABJ! We’ll be in touch for the Year 2 update!
Dan a year ago. His hair is longer now.
Oh those H’s — they haven’t run out of shoes yet! This one’s kind of tripping us out with some sort of illusion — a left foot and a right foot, two different foot owners, very close together. Maybe mirrors were involved…
If you’re new to Feet of the Week (FOTW) — a primer: Jon and Alex, a dynamic father-son duo, take guitar lessons at Red Leaf. They also play in respective awesome groups with us. They also have a great shoe collection. Many have challenged their show superiority…few come out with their dignity intact. See Andrew, for instance.
Jana started off as Red Leaf’s first Professional Track student (and is still studying hard!), but somehow she woke up one day as the Red Leaf Office Manager, too. She’s a singer-songwriter and working on an EP with Daniel Barrett as producer. Look for it this summer! Check out her website and read her blog for more randomness and fun.
1. Which was the first record you bought with your own money? Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Stones in the Road”.
2. Which was the last record you bought with your own money? Kathleen Edwards’ “Asking for Flowers” - I’m a release day nerd for certain artists, and this one just came out.
3. What was the first solo you learned from a record — and can you still play it? Probably something from a Mary Chapin record. In high school I took guitar as an elective and we learned Red House by Hendrix note-for-note. And I forget how to play it.
4. Which recording of your own (or as a sideman) are you most proud of, and why? The EP I am working on right now. It represents progress in all forms to me.
5. What’s the difference between playing live and playing in a studio? My thoughts about recording have changed since working with Dan Barrett. He works to create a very relaxed, fun studio atmosphere. So it’s not a “studio” and we’re not “making a record.” We’re playing songs. Which is how I feel about playing live. Achieving studio slickness isn’t on my current list of Must-Dos. Maybe it will be later, who knows.
6. What’s the difference between a good gig and a bad gig? Frame of mind. When I decide to show up, it’s a good gig. When for whatever reason I don’t show up mentally, it could derail and usually does. I used to blame it on weather, guitar strings, crowd interest, and a multitude of other things…but it boils down to intention on my part.
7. What’s the difference between a good guitar and a bad guitar? I really have this intense fascination with anything with strings, so I think there’s a purpose for every guitar. Even the $6 ones you get across the border in Tijuana. (I have a blue one). I have another one that is from Malawi…a friend in the Peace Corps had one of the kids in her town make me a guitar out of scrap metal, wire, and wood. It’s full size and an amazing piece of work. I need to use it to record someday.
8. You play electric and acoustic. Do you approach the two differently? I feel more at home on the acoustic because I have played it more consistently for the past 7 years. Before that, though, I played electric guitar in a couple of high school bands and was much more practiced with it. This next year is all about guitar woodshedding (among other things). I’m pretty psyched.
9. Do you sound more like yourself on acoustic or electric? I’m hoping to develop the Jana Tone (TM) on electric over the course of the next few years…but I guess for all intents and purposes I am a songwriter who writes and performs my songs on an acoustic…so…acoustic.
10. Do you sound like yourself on other people’s guitars? I think so. I always enjoy trying other peoples’ set ups, seeing what they do for their style and so on. Each guitar has its own personality, so I guess it’s not about manhandling it into sounding like ME, it’s just appreciating it for what it is.
11. Which living artist (music, or other arts) would you like to collaborate with? Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Edge, Kathleen Edwards. What I have been listening to lately, anyway.
12. What dead artist would you like to have collaborated with? Johnny Cash. Somehow…it might have worked.
13. What’s your latest project about? It’s about being a baby songwriter but far along enough to be developing an identity. I’m over the part where I’m just trying to make a sound, any sound — and I’m moving past trying to sound like anyone else. So my latest project is finding out what Me sounds like.
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