Hi There!

Hopefully this page will answer most of your questions. If not, feel free to contact me with your question which I will post on this page.

If you would like to submit a question you can
Contact JR Here

Questions Index:

• What type of music do you perform?
• What has inspired your particular genre?
• Why New Zealand and what do you think about it?
• Where are you from and does your music reflect your background?
• Do you just play in the local Auckland area?
• What are your plans for the future with your music?
• You have performed with some prominent NZ musicians already for having only been in NZ a short time - are you planning any nation-wide tours in the near future?
• Touring with Bob Dylan must have been a very exciting opportunity. What would have been the highlights of that?
• You have been very successful here recently, winning a number of awards, have these awards opened any unexpected doors for you?
• You perform solo; duo; trio and also with a band comprising of a number of well-known kiwi artists - do you perform the same music regardless?
• What do you think attributes to your recent 'Sell-out' shows around the country?
• Do you have any albums out currently?

Question

What type of music do you perform?

Answer

It's been called everything from Insurgent, Americana, Alternative Country Rock to Roots and Folk. I'd say it's Acoustic Groove with all the influences of the American South. That includes most everything from Blues to Bluegrass. Whatever the listener feels comfortable calling it is fine with me. I just have to play what I feel. So, I guess I'd have to say I feel Country music the best.

Question

What has inspired your particular genre?

Answer

It's just what I know and feel. If it feels good I gotta do it. "To thine own self be true." Some days I feel the bluesy down to earth roots of my raisin', other days I feel a honky tonkin' dancin' country groove that just won't let me go and then on another days I just love that old time rock n roll. As a songwriter I'm at liberty to write what I feel and as a performer my audience influences how I feel at that moment and the songs I end up performing for them.

Question

Why New Zealand and what do you think about it?

Answer

I moved here in 2000 to meet the lady I'd marry. Happily married I'm stoked to be in such a wonderful country with such beautifully nice people. No snakes or real poison spider threats is a welcomed change too. I grew up where if a twig moved when you were walking in the woods you jumped for fear that it might be a striking snake. And, you always banged your boots on the floor in a way to make certain you weren't sticking your foot in with a black widow or scorpion. Rugby still seems crazy though. Those guys hit hard.

Question

Where are you from and does your music reflect your background?

Answer

I was born in San Diego California (USA) because of my farther being in the navy but I was raised in the enchanting and laid back lifestyle of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas from the age of two. My music definitely reflects my background. It was a strange and colourful background being raised by a single parent Vietnam veteran as a father. A man I am very proud to call my Dad. He was my biggest hero and my greatest musical inspiration.

Question

Do you just play in the local Auckland area?

Answer

I play anywhere I can. I love to perform. I'd play in the Antarctic or underwater if there was a stage. I love traveling and music has given me many wonderful opportunities to meet new people, places and world wonders. I always want to see more.

Question

What are your plans for the future with your music?

Answer

I'll continue to perform live as much as possible. I will make a record and tour to promote that record. I'll seek out radio stations and alternative broadcasting possibilities to get my songs played on air. I'm looking at the possibilities of putting my recordings on the internet for people to listen to and purchase as a download. I'll do international shows in Australia and the United States. I'll seek sponsorship to do some tours. All of this because I've decided that I can't wait for the major record labels to come banging down my door begging me to record for them. I'll just have to do it myself with a lot of help from my friends; past, present and future.

Question

You have performed with some very prominent New Zealand musicians already for having only been in the country for such a short time - are you planning on doing any nation-wide tours in the near future?

Answer

Absolutely. I've already done one impromptu tour last year. It started out as a sight seeing tour of New Zealand but something just happened in side of me and I had to play music at some of these wonderful places. The next thing I knew I was having to stay in a couple of areas for a month or so at a time just to play all the places that wanted me to perform for them. It was awesome. So, you can count on me doing another New Zealand tour. This time organized and probably with some other great kiwi artists that have become good friends. Details are still being worked out.

Question

Touring with Bob Dylan must have been a very exciting opportunity. What would have been the highlights of that?

Answer

There were so many highlights. Just being around such professionals as the Dylan camp was a highlight in itself. Great people. The traveling was probably the biggest highlight for me though. I love to travel. I got to visit places, meet folks and say "G'day" in the national language of every European country with the exception of Portugal. I visited areas in the United States that I probably would have never had reason to visit. The music(country, rock, alternative, pop, R&B, bluegrass...), artists(Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Jewel, Dave Mathews Band...), movie stars(Arnold Swartzneger, Jack Nicholson, Uma Thurman...)and mega concerts and TV shows(WoodStock 96, MTV Unplugged, Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday show...)were just icing on the cake so to speak. Getting to sing on the Dylan stage -during sound check- with Bob's band backing me was even a rush. But, all in all, it was very humbling experience because I realised that we all pretty much have to put our pants on one leg at a time. A totally awesome experience. Thank you Mr. Dylan.

Question

You have been very successful here recently, winning a number of awards; the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year, the ACMA Best Male Vocalist, Best Original Song and Best Overall Performer and then the NZCMA Entertainer 'Songwriter' award, numerous Sun City Music Awards- have these awards opened any unexpected doors for you?

Answer

The awards have certainly opened the doors to meet some really wonderful and talented people that performed in the various shows as well as meeting the promoters, judges and organisers of these exceptional events. The awards shows opened the door to perform for and meet some of the music supporters that come to these shows as well. However, the only career doors that really ever get opened are the ones you keep knocking on. Regardless, I'm very proud of the recognition and honour bestowed upon me by being presented with these awards and I'll always do my best to give back as much or more to there names and encourage others to participate. "Chase the dream" and you're more likely to catch it.

Question

You perform solo; duo; trio and also with a band comprising of a number of well-known kiwi artists - do you perform the same music regardless?

Answer

Some of the material is the same. When I perform solo I have to choose material that will work with just an acoustic guitar, harmonica and voice. I don't use backing tracks. It's just me, my heart & soul and a whole lot of sweat. When I perform as a duo or trio we really utilise the acoustic abilities of our instruments and give the material a very organic feel. The band ranges from a 4 piece to 9 piece which brings a whole other element to the front. With Rick Cotter on Drums, Greg O'Donnel on Bass, Keith Prictor on guitar, Dave Khan on fiddle, mandolin, slide guitar, Ambrose Speslcia on sax/woodwinds, Craig Denham on keyboards, Glen Ross Campbell on Steel and resonator guitar and special guests on Backing Vocals we're able to inspire even the most sleepy audience to jump to their feet, dance and celebrate being alive. It's great to be a part of a driving band. It's like being at the front of a roaring locomotive.

Question

What do you think attributes to your recent 'Sell-out' shows around the country?

Answer

I have to think that it all comes back to the fans. They support what they like and they like their country music. They certainly aren't getting to hear it on local radio or TV. Having said that, I think that if there was radio and TV play of country music it would only be bigger. Put on a great show, give it all you've got, love the audience and they'll love you back. My dad always said, "Whether you're playing for one person or thousands you give that one just as much energy in your show as you would the thousands." Friends and fans are made one person at a time.

Question

Do you have any albums out currently?

Answer

'Chasin' the Dream' is my lastest solo album and has won several awards and accolades. Prior to that I had a limited edition album called "Who'd a Thunk It?* on cassette. Public demand may have that project re-released on CD.

A DVD is to be forthcoming, and a brand new album. Recording production has already started. Check on line for regular updates in the Newletters.

"Who'd a Thunk It? was a songwriters demo. By demo album I mean to say that I had no intention of ever promoting the project as a record. The songs had all been recorded individually throughout the early to mid nineties as guitar/vocal demos to shop to publishers, producers and record companies in Nashville. My dad was always asking me to make him a tape and send it to him because he always loved the music. So, Who'd A Thunk It? is a compilation of my originals and co-writes that I thought my dad would have liked with some Nashville session players thrown in for effect along with Bob Dylan's then guitar player, John Jackson on one track. Unfortunately, I didn't compile the project until after my dad had died in 1995. I dedicated the project to him and his memory. One day I hope that it will be a collectors item. They are all gone now.