The Rippingtons Interview Page 4

RF:  Total reinvention again, you know?

Smitty:  Yeah.

RF:  It’s interesting. The timeline of The Ripps has kinda mirrored my own timeline of my own life, and I guess it’s autobiographical in that sense. You’re always writing about your life, in a sense.

Smitty:  Absolutely, yeah.  I totally agree with you. And on Black Diamond, I loved “Seven Nights in Rome.”

RF:  Oh yeah, one of my favorites.

Smitty: And it goes back again, like you said, the songwriting, and I always looked for your songwriting and any changes in that whenever I got a new Rippingtons project. I was never disappointed.

RF:  Thanks. It’s interesting because radio has kinda followed us in a sense yes and in a sense not, but the fans have always totally followed us. (Laughs)

Smitty:  Yes they have. All right, so now, do you have a favorite album?  Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…

RF:  You know what one of my favorite records is? The Drive CD.

Smitty:  Oh, how ‘bout that?

RF:  It’s probably one of the lesser known, maybe even unknown, but I tell ya, when we play songs from that live, they always work, man. And whenever I need a great song that’s gonna get the crowd into it, I just play one of those.  (Both laughing)  For some reason, nobody’s ever heard of the record, but they love the songs when they hear ‘em.

Smitty: Oh wow, how ‘bout that?  I don’t know how because, man, that’s a great project. And I wondered how you found time to do that record.

RF:  Well, there’s some really cool guest artists on that. Chris Botti's on it.

Smitty:  Yup.

RF:  Yeah, there are some very cool people on there.

Smitty:  And we didn’t mention all of them.  As well as other projects, some of these artists that you have worked with in the past are on their way to being legends if they’re not already living legends like the Welcome to the St. James Club project, you know, there was Patti Austin, Joe Sample there, Kirk Whalum was there, you know, these artists are phenomenal.

RF:  Sure.

Smitty:  And they brought so much to the table. Unbelievable.

RF:  Many of them are my heroes, definitely.

Smitty: No doubt. So now, the album comes out, what, July 25th?

RF:  Yes, July 25th.

Smitty:  How ‘bout that?  So that’s just around the corner. And I know there’s a lot of excitement with this CD.  I highly recommend this record for anyone because it just has such a vibe and especially for the fans that have followed The Rippingtons over the years, they are going to just totally identify with this record, and I think that’s the beautiful thing. They will celebrate along with you with this record.

RF:  Yeah, I think they’re gonna have some great memories when they hear these songs.

Smitty:  I really encourage everyone to pull out that DVD from the back and watch the DVD because I think you did a fantastic job of taking everyone back and then bringing them forward. It’s a great production.

RF:  Cool. Glad you like it, man.

Smitty:  Yeah, I really do, and I’m looking forward to seeing you cats on the road. I gotta catch a show and hang out a little bit. 

RF:  Well, Houston’s gonna be one of our first stops on the tour.

Smitty:  Oh, cool. Yeah, in fact, that’s coming up, that’s right, in August.

RF:  Right, on the 10th of August.

Smitty:  Yeah, well, you know I will come in for that one. I’ll try to get backstage and hang for a minute.

RF:  Absolutely. Looking forward to it.

Smitty: All right, well, Russ, I really appreciate you taking some time to talk about this great record and a great 20 year ride. I think this is the kind of music that we will be listening to 20 years from now.

RF:  Well, I hope so. (Both laughing)  I hope so, Smitty.  Thanks to you, man.

Smitty:  Yes indeed, my friend.  All right, we’ve been talking with the fantastic guitarist from The Rippingtons, Russ Freeman.  You must check out this great new record.  It’s the 20 Year Anniversary CD that’s accompanied by a wonderful DVD that really tells a great story about this incredible group and what they’ve accomplished over the years. And don’t miss the live performance!  Russ, thanks again, my friend, congratulations to you and the band, and let’s celebrate the year with this great new record.

RF: Thanks so much, Smitty, see you soon!

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.rippingtons.com or www.peakrecords.com