Gerald Veasley Interview Page 4

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

GV:  I kid you not.  At one time I considered calling it True because it’s the kind of record, when I was working on it, that’s kind of one of the—

Smitty:  One of the attributes that comes out, yeah.

GV:  Yeah, one of the attributes that comes out, but also my guided direction was to keep everything true. And as I would analyze the music or go back and listen to it, I would evaluate it from that standpoint, not how commercial it is or not how hip it is or how flashy it is, but is it true? True to who I am, is it true to what I feel, is it true to what I want to communicate.

Smitty:  Well, I think you captured all that, man, and I tell ya, it’s appropriate that it is entitled Your Move in the sense that you’ve made your move in putting out this great record and now it’s our move to pick it up and embrace it and enjoy it, you know?

GV:  Wow, you couldn’t say it any better.

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

GV:  Really couldn’t.

Smitty: Well, Gerald, going back to the record, man, I have to say that this is one of the best records I’ve heard in some time because it has, like we talked about, so much truth, so much heart, so much soul, and it really showcases a greater level of your musicianship, I think, and I think every artist wants to show a different side or another measure, and I think you have captured that to the finite degree.  I mean, it’s a wonderful project and I love what you said about, you know, any good game involves more than one player, and with the supporting cast that you have with this record, how true that is.

GV:  Well, thank you.  That is one of the things that is truly a joy for me.  I mean, the technology that we’ve embraced on the music making side of things has enabled so many of us to work cloistered almost in a little cubicle with our project studios, our home studios, and computers and fancy software. But it’s great when you look up from beyond the keyboard (laughs) and make music with another human being that laughs and loves and cries and has a story of their own, and then your stories feed off each other and complement each other.

Smitty:  Yes.

GV:  And that’s where the magic is.  That’s truly where the magic is.  So the spirit of collaboration is in the title Your Move but it’s also in the process and it’s who I am.  I’ve always been a band person.  One thing, if you come and see my band, you can just about rest assured you’re gonna see my band.  You’re gonna see people that have been with me for years and we enjoy each other, we know each other’s moods and we challenge each other, and that’s just how, you know, old school like that—

Smitty:  Yeah.

GV:  I don’t believe in band du jour. And sometimes that is a fact of life.  It’s an economic necessity that people are changing here and there, but I’m very old school in that way in that I love to have my band that knows where I’m going musically and then we can react on a dime to what we hear in each other’s playing. That’s what keeps the music fresh and hopefully makes it excellent.

Smitty:  Yes it does.

GV:  You’re constantly building instead of continually starting from square one.

Smitty:  Yes.

GV:  Though the music may change and some of the musical concepts may change from record to record, but that is constantly growing with a continual cast of people who really are like minded and are there, you know, first and foremost for the music.

Smitty:  Absolutely, and then that’s what makes it so true, man, you know?  Yes.

GV:  Thank you.

Smitty:  Well, Gerald, once again, man, congratulations on this great record.  Let’s see, the drop date is what?

GV:  March 11th.

Smitty:  March 11th.

GV:  Yep.

Smitty:  Get out to the store and pick up this great record.  It is Your Move in more ways than one, and I wanna say also congratulations to Ibanez for building such a great bass for ya.

GV:  (Laughs.)

Smitty:  I love that six-string, you know?

GV:  Oh, that’s my baby.

Smitty:  Yeah.

GV:  That bass has a name.

Smitty:  Uh-oh.  (Laughs.)

GV:  Yeah, I’m like BB King.  I name my instruments.  That one is called Honey.

Smitty:  That’s an appropriate name.

GV:  Yeah, ‘cause she’s so sweet, you know, as honey.

Smitty:  Yeah, and it’s got that honey shade of color. Yeah, and that glistening look, you know?  (Both laugh.)  Hey, how sweet is that?  Well, we gotta remember that, you know?  So you may get a few comments about that on the road.

GV:  Yeah, yeah.

Smitty:  Well, let me tell you, my friend, Honey is still sweet.  (Both laugh.)

GV:  Thank you.

Smitty:  Hey, Gerald, once again, congratulations, my friend, and I certainly look forward to some great things happening with this record and congratulations to everyone involved with this fantastic project and best of everything on the road this year and hope to see you soon, my friend.

GV:  I’m hoping we see each other very soon and thank you for your support and, above all, for getting it, for really supporting so many of us artists who dedicate our lives to making music, and taking the time to really listen and understand what it is that we are trying to present with our music, and then using your vehicle as a way to connect us with your audience and our audience, so it’s just truly something, so important work you’re doing, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.  Thank you.

Smitty:  Oh, man, thank you so much.  You don’t know how much that means.  I will remember those words, Gerald, and it is greatly appreciated and it’s words like that that’s fuel for my fire.  Yeah, thank you so much, it means a lot coming from you.  I really appreciate that.

GV:  Oh, you’re welcome.  Certainly.

Smitty:  All right, we have been talking with the incredible and amazing Heads Up recording artist Gerald Veasley.  He has a great new record, it does have a Velvet touch, and he’s going to be playing some of that at Jazz Base and around the country. The record is entitled Your Move and, trust me, you will embrace this instantly when you hear it, so please pick up this one.  I highly recommend it.  Gerald, thanks again, my friend, and let’s do it again soon.

GV:  You got it.  Take care, Smitty.

                                                                                           Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.geraldveasley.com and www.myspace.com/geraldveasley and www.geraldveasleysjazzbass.com and www.headsup.com