Blackberry Smoke – this is the kind of band I wished we featured back in the sum-sum summa time – what’s better than a band with pure rock roots evoking thoughts of good times, whisky drinking and females? I mean, that’s what I get out of summer time, anyway. Whatever your preference is, know that Blackberry Smoke is a party (no matter what time of year!).

The band’s latest record, “Little Piece of Dixie” sure sounds like a country collection – but don’t underestimate the rock edge on this thing – it’s worth your eardrum’s time whether you like the twang or not. The guys talk about the album, saying it’s “A very honest, straight-to-the-point collection of songs recorded just like we play them live… I think it’s different because it’s a record with good honest music on it. We didn't just throw it together. We believe in the songs and wanted people to hear them.” And Blackberry Smoke doesn’t mind pulling you in a few different directions – whether it’s bluegrass or metal, when you get them on stage, they’re at their best.

If you’re looking for something loyal to the past with high aspirations for the future, you gotta give a listen to “Little Piece of Dixie”. And check out the Blackberry Smoke touring schedule – the band makes it’s living on the road – no matter what the temperature is outside. There’s a lot more to learn below, so keep reading for the answers to the XXQ’s.

XXQs: Blackberry Smoke

PensEyeView.com (PEV): What goes through your heads the minute you walk onto stage?

BT:  When did I use the bathroom last and is that going to affect my tempos?
CS:  How the hell are we gonna fit 20 songs into this 30 minute set?
PJ:  How lucky I am that I get to play music for a living.

PEV: How did the band first come together and was it an instant connection?

CS:  Brit, Richard and I had been playing together for a couple of years before we asked Paul to join. Good chemistry, good times.
RT:  Without disclosing details, Blackberry Smoke was born of the ashes of a Universal Records project gone bad. Charlie, Brit and I had suffered enough and decided to mutiny. As such, the connection was indeed instantaneous.
PJ:  Brit, Richard and Charlie had been playing together in other bands for a couple of years and decided to form their own band and they needed another guitarist. Charlie called me up, we all got together and it clicked right away. We have been touring and having a blast ever since.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live Blackberry Smoke show?

BT:  25% rock n roll 25% country 25% southern rock and 25% Tom Foolery.
CS:  Seems like a snippet or two of a Stanley Bros or Jimmy Martin song always sneaks in there.
PJ:  Expect to have a good time and listen to some good music.

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance together as a band. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

CS:  I truly do not remember our first show. I would say we know the songs WAY better by now!

PEV: What can fans expect from your new release, "Little Piece Of Dixie”?

BT:  An accurate recording of what we sound like. A full record of great songs and sounds played by us!
CS:  A very honest, straight-to-the-point collection of songs recorded just like we play them live.

PEV: How is " Little Piece Of Dixie” different from other albums out today?

BT:  All of the songs are great.
CS:  None of us are wearing an Affliction T-shirt or sporting highlights in our hair when you listen to it.
PJ:  Thank you, I think its different because it’s a record with good honest music on it. We didn't just throw it together. We believe in the songs and wanted people to hear them.

PEV: Tell us about the creative time behind the making of the album? What was it like creating this?

CS:  We didn't really plan it at all. Dann Huff and Justin Niebank are very busy men and we are constantly on the road, so we ran into the studio every time our collective schedules permitted. Recording the songs was really a beautiful experience. I LOVE making this great music with my friends.
PJ:  Writing the songs was a great experience and recording them was exciting. We had a chance to work with some great writers. We had such a good time in the studio with our producers, Dann Huff and Justin Niebank.

PEV:  What is your take on today’s mainstream rock music scene?

BT:  You might not get what you pay for.
CS:  I'm totally out of the loop. Still listening to cassettes.
PJ:  Not sure about today's mainstream rock scene, I listen mostly to older music (guitar tones back in the day hit the spot).

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about the members of the band?

CS:  We're so much younger than we look. And I restored Brit's '59 Chevy Biscayne.
RT:  We grow'd that hair.
PJ:  Always on time to our gigs and we are easy to tour with - no rockstar fits.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you and you were determined to make it happen?  

BT:  Yes, I saw a cheap trick show when I was 12 or 13, I ended up backstage and saw Rick Neilson with 2 naked girls. That pretty much did it.
CS:  While doing slow motion moves to Aerosmith Rocks with a Univox Les Paul copy in my imaginary "Enormo-dome." Bedroom.
PJ:  It was when I went to my first concert when I was 14, and was blown away by the energy of the show and the girls that were there - they were unbelievable. After that night I was sold. I bought a guitar a week after that experience.

PEV: What one word best describes Blackberry Smoke?

CS:  Persistent. Or Badass, I can't decide.
RT:  Glitter.
PJ:  Determined.

PEV: Traveling is now a large part of your life. How is life on the road for you?best and worst parts? Any fun stories?

BT:  One  time I was driving through the night in a snow storm in Wisconsin, I was going about 70 (not a good idea, by the way) and Paul was in the passenger seat asleep... a couple of minutes later he woke up and opened the door saying "I'll drive now." Problem was that I was still going 70 in a snow storm.
CS:  The road is great fun. Something new every day to laugh about or get pissed off about. Once while driving thru the night to Texas, we ran over a skunk. You don't know the meaning of the word "stink" until you've experienced this.
PJ:  I remember going through security early in the morning at Atlanta airport and when told to take off my shoes, belt buckles, rings and whatnot, for the metal detector, I was so tired I began to take off my pants. Luckily, Charlie caught me just in the nick of time. I was a bit embarrassed.
 
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your musical careers? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

CS:  We all have tightly knit families and we're all fathers so it gets tough to be away sometimes, but they are all so very supportive, and together with all our friends that makes gigs at home super special.
RT:  For years it was sort of a condescending 'when are you going to get a real job' sort of thing, now it's 'can I borrow 2 grand?'!!!  Ha ha, not really. Our families were always supportive. Playing on the home-field can be a little shaky, so we try and play a place with a capacity of around, oh I'd say maybe 30.
PJ:  My family is so supportive and puts up with my schedule. Playing Atlanta is always fun. We have a lot of friends there and its always a good time when they come out to see us.

PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from performing?

CS:  Loving being at home with my wife, Christine, and my son, Christian. Playing bluegrass with my Dad and his buddies. Fiddlin' around in Gray's Body Shop.
RT:  I'm learning how to tie new knots.
PJ:  Spending time with my family, hugging my kids and cleaning out my suitcase.

PEV: Running the gamut from country to bluegrass to metal to gospel and southern rock – where do you feel you fit in today’s music?

CS:  Wherever people want to hear good music, regardless of genre.
RT:  We fit in the 'gamut'.
PJ:  We are influenced by all that stuff, so it's hard for me to pick just one.

PEV:  Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

RT:  Us.
PJ:  A band called the Yankee Slickers. Check them out.

PEV: If playing/writing music was not your career, what would each of you most likely be doing?

CS:  Bitching about not playing music.
RT:  Air Force Spooky Crewmember.
PJ:  I'd have been a Firefighter, and on my days off, you'd find me sitting on Pensacola Beach (where I'm from), enjoying a cold one.

PEV: If we were to walk into your practice studio/space right now, what would we find?

BT:  Autographed memorabilia from these folks: Terry Bradshaw Football, Skynyrd Record, Zz Top Pic, Outlaws Pic, David Allen Coe Pic, Black Crowes Platinum Records, Elvis Pinball Machine (Sarge still has the top score around 250 million). Guitars drums, a Gretch lap steel I found in a trash can in NYC.
PJ:  Brit isn't lying, he came back to our dressing room after taking a walk in NYC with a lap steel. He picked it up in a trash can outside the venue. Can you believe that? A drummer finding a lap steel in the trash. What are the odds? He does wear a ring that says LUCKY on it!!

PEV: So, what is next for Blackberry Smoke?

BT:  Go all over the world playing this music for folks, then go record another album and do it all over again!
RT:  More great music.
PJ:  Get the record out and Tour, Tour, Tour!