An interview with Lemon James

An interview Rick Ray

1. How has your CD, Living in The Sun been received in North America and abroad?

Folks that get a hold of, "Livin in the Sun" really enjoy it. It has a very, "listenable" quality to it, good production and it was recorded on 2 inch tape at a pro studio (studio AA, Dearborn MI) and mastered by Denny Purcell at Georgetown in Nashville. These facts are part of the key, to the great sound quality of the piece.

2. Have you had any offers from indie or major record companies? If yes, explain.

No, but I also haven’t shopped it.

3. If you are interested in being signed with a label, what would you expect? Any preferences?

Someone that is committed to putting in the required effort to get the product heard and market it in a manner that tells the public that they want to get and own a copy and see/hear more.

4. Who are the players in your band?

Presently, Floyd on percussion/drums, and Carl on bass both standup and electric.

5. Do you play any acoustic shows?

No, I have not ventured into that arena.

6. What kind of music have you been listening to these days?

Some oldies on the radio, some R&B and Hip Hop.

7. Has your music preferences changed with time?

Oh yeah, at least a little .. I suppose that is the case with most people.

8. What music software do you use to lay down your new song ideas with?

I don't actively use music software but, I have dabbled a little with garage band, on a Mac.

9. What sources inspire you to write lyrics?

Lyrics kinda just happen.

10. How would you like to be recognized?

Hmm.. I want to be recognized for what comes naturally, playing, singing and jamming. I guess I would probably not want an image that was too much, "work" to attempt to uphold in the sense that I don't want to attempt to be what I am not.

11. Does being a women in the music business have advantages and disadvantages? Explain.

Yes both, the advantages and disadvantages are determined by the party that is critiquing what the female artist is doing so, some folks will lift you up cause you’re female and others will try to bring ya down. It’s all relative.

12. Who are the songwriters that have inspired you?

Songwriters that have an interesting story in the song tend to be inspirational. It would be fun to be able to weave such intriguing stories. The genre does not matter, it’s the story that draws you in and takes you somewhere.

13. Do you get a lot of requests to join female bands?

Not too many.

14. Do you have a manager? If no, are you interested in management?

No manager at this time but, I think that a team player could take this project a lot further and help it to realize its potential.

15. Who does your bookings?

Mostly me but, the present lineup is helping out with it now.

16. Do you have a radio promoter or publicist?

Not at this time.

17. What new developments have occurred in the last year?

Some new material and some recording.

18. Is there a long waiting list for a custom guitar made by you?

Not a long list but, there is a long lineup of sexy wood that is just waiting to be turned into a foxy guitar.

19. Where are you playing this summer?

A few local venues around the Detroit area. I do want to mention that there is a local reality show on comcast in CA, MI and I think IL, it’s called X-treme Warrior. It is to air in November and I will be on an episode of that. It is sort of like a variation on a boot camp type thing all women we had a great group of ladies on "X-5" (episode 5).

For more info on Lemon James visit www.lemonjames.com
or see the female rock category of the database.

 

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© 2006 Yonge Music

1. Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured.

I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan when I was 4. I new right then, that's what I wanted to do. My older brother taught me some chords and a few songs when I started playing the guitar at the age of six.

2.  Where there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential?

As I stated previously, the Beatles on Ed Sullivan (1964), my brothers band 'The Substantial Beings' (1966), Sgt. Peppers (1967), 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson (1969), Hearing 'Damnation Of Adam Blessing (1971), ELP live at the Cleveland Stadium (1975), Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush & Robin Trower (numerous concerts and albums), and mostly Jesus Christ for letting me know the truth. I'd been searching for it for a VERY long time and in 1993 he opened my eyes.

3.  What does your live set up consist of?

A custom made pedal board made by me and a friend, Joe Cartula. It connects to outboard gear also. 1968 SG and a 1985 Strat into an A/B box for quick changes (incase of a string break), Wah Wah, Roto Vibe, 1965 Wah Wah, Compressor, Octave Divider, Foxx Tone Machine, A/B (Tube and EQ or Transistor Distortion), Noise Gate, Phaser, Stereo Chorus, Stereo Flanger, another Flanger, Flanger Doubler, Analog Delay, Volume Pedal, EQ, 1 second DDL, 2 second DDL, Echo Plex, Noise Gate then to the Amplifier (Dual 130 Watt Stereo Chorus Peavey Twin), also sometimes bring along my guitar synth. (hooked up to my Strat).

4. What is the feel of your new CD,

Temporary World?

It's a progressive rock, jazz fusion album with quite a few different sounds on it. From acoustic to to very intense electric. Everything came together on this album like it had already been a script to a play.

5. Describe the creative process of your CD, from the initial inspiration to getting it down on CD.

All the songs on the 28 albums I've released so far come from me just sitting around playing guitar, then when turned over to the band it kind of morphs into something even better.

6. How involved were you in the recording process?

Completely, I record, mix and produce everything.

7. How did you record your guitar parts?

Sometimes w/a Red Box by Hughes Kettner, sometimes microphones. It depends whether we're recording as a band or I'm overdubbing.

8. What recording equipment was used and where did you record?

It was recorded in my basement on an eight track reel to reel. Nothing like analog. I've since purchased a 24 track digital recorder. The next album (1/2 complete) is being recorded on that.

9. Are you pleased with the production of the CD. Who produced it?

Yes, I'm pleased with it. I go after the 'You Are There' type of production. When listening to it, I like the listener to feel as if they're in the same place the band recorded it, sitting in on the session. I'm not into the million dollar reverb sound or the $250,000 microphone sound. I'm into raw and real.

10. Do you own your own label & publishing company?

Yes, Neurosis Records has been my record company since 1981.

11. How may CD’s have you released to date as a solo artist or with a band?

28 (from 1999 to now), not including the 'Second Hand Smoke (A Tribute To Frank Marino) on Wild Mess Records www.wildmess.com , this doesn't include the vinyl and tape releases prior to 1999.

12. Are you affiliated with any music associations or unions?

No, I especially don't believe in unions. Another term for extortion.

13. What are some of the highs & lows of your career so far?

The highs would be, being able to release all this material myself, opening for people such as Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Pat Travers, Allan Holdsworth, Gary Hoey, Michael Schenker and Steve Morse.....The lows, Chuck Abraham, my lead singer on Temporary World and long time friend passed away 9 days after the release of that album.

14. Are there any people that you would like to mention here who have helped your career?

My wife, for putting up with me. My Mom has helped a lot over the years. Anthony at the House Of Blues. Dan at Live Nation,. Jim at the Winchester. My band (Rick Schultz - reeds, Jack Ambrose - bass, Sam Glorioso - drums and Alex Abraham - vocals)

15. Do you have any advice to give to other players with less experience than yourself?

Play for "enjoyment", not for the "I'm going to make it big" type of attitude. Don't ever go for fads. You be the trend setter. Listen to people who can actually play good. Not the no talent "EMPTY V" entertainers who wish they were musicians. Don't just listen to guitarists...listen to keys, reeds, brass etc...

For more information on Rick Ray visit:

www.rickray.net
Listen to the RRB @ www.myspace.com/therickrayband
www.cdbaby.com/rickrayband

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