Born in eastern Wyoming now residing in Colorado, R Michael Rhodes has had an interesting career journey. Thirty years ago he walked away from a promising career in music. The “blessings and responsibilities of domestic life directed his path elsewhere” as he states on his web site
After being gone for thirty years R Michel Rhodes returns with his EP Please Remember Me . He was kind enough to do an interview via email with me.
Who are your main musical influences?
I was very much influenced by the great singer/songwriters of the 70’s. James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, England Dan & John Ford Coley, etc… I am also a big fan of the Eagles, 38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
What’s the song you’re most proud of writing?
I am most proud of the song Chasin’ Ghosts. It is a very unique type of song and I have had GREAT response from those that hear it.
What was the last time music was really, really exciting for you?
This is an easy one to answer – Last weekend! I was at a songwriters retreat in Nashville where I got to “meet and greet” with some wonderful people in the industry and also had the opportunity to write a new song. The guys that I wrote with are tremendously talented and really made me feel like I belonged. It was awesome!
You walked away from the music business for 30 years, what was the reaction of your peers?
I never lived in Nashville so as far as peers I did not have a lot of friends there. Like many stories – I just sort of faded away from the scene.
What was it like to go back in the studio and record “Please Remember Me” after being away for so long?
Being back in the studio to record “Please Remember Me” was a great experience for me. The studio and staff were wonderful and made me feel comfortable the minute I got there. Many times in Nashville the whole band plays at the same time with very few overdubs. I love to record that way – the energy is infectious.
How much has the music business changed over the years since you left?
The music business has changed so much over the years. It used to be that if you did not have the backing of a major publisher or record label you really never got anywhere. With the internet, now an artist can get music out directly to the fans and a lot of very good music is being found and promoted that way. These changes I think are a part of why I decided to get back into it.
Now that you are back in the business, do you have a different outlook on your career, the industry itself?
I have a complete different outlook on the industry and my career now. In my younger days I had aspirations to be the next Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks or Steve Wariner. Now – I really am just enjoying every new experience and hope that through it I can become a better songwriter and singer. I think with all these changes in the industry that it is actually much easier for someone to break in, build and maintain a good fan base.
Any tour plans?
Currently I am working on putting together some regional shows but nothing concrete at this time.
I have listened to the EP, and it was one I really enjoyed. The songs have such feeling and emotion. Listening to the EP one would never know he has been out of the music scene for thirty years. I will be featuring some tracks off Please Remember Me this Sunday on Front Range Radio. You can learn more about R Michael Rhodes by visiting his website http://www.michaelrhodes.com
Muses from the front range of the Rocky Mountains
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