MIC: The #1 Blues Artist on Billboard. com, WOW...What did you think when you heard that?
Gomes: I was floored. I knew that we had some momentum from Music Is The Medicine (previous studio release), but I was shocked that we knocked BB King out of the top spot. I also found out on the road, about 10 miles from where I grew up.
MIC: My lord, you can never take it away, Just like when The Chicago Bulls won all those titles,
they will always be a world champion and you will always have that monikor, So where do you go from here?
Gomes: Getting to the top is hard, staying there is harder. We want to grow and mature as artists and hope that our creative growth is mirrored by our commercial growth.
MIC: You walk right up and {perverably punch} B.B. King in the face and take the #1 spot,What
do you think is reason you got it out of the gate?
Gomes: Touring 250 dates a year and building life-long fans one at a time. Nothing can replace that.
MIC:The music catalog you have amassed in recent years is damn impressive, what has been the tune,
you thought would do the most and went no where, listener wise?
Gomes: Hmmmm…. Maybe ‘Love Is The Answer’…
MIC:Now I gotta ask ya, what has been the most shocking tune you have put out there..that did
tons of stuff for ya?
Gomes: Falling is getting a lot of attention on the new CD.
MIC: You have been all over the country what has been the greatest place you have played or
as I should say, You played it and you said...My lord...this is a party town but if I am gonna
keep it on the tracks and keep focused..i gotta get out of here...it's a nice place to play
but I def. can not live here...
Gomes: I love every place we play. I know that sounds like a cop out, but it’s true.
MIC:Tell me about the cd, LIVE...what can we expect from it?
Gomes: It’s an accurate representation of the band from last year. The good, the bad and the funky.
MIC:The 2 times I have saw you play in Salina, The 1st was with Biscut and then with the
New Soul Cowboys...Why the new line up?
Gomes: Biscuit wanted to slow down a little on the touring and now is doing his own thing. He has our love and support. Why the new line up? Have you heard the band? (laughs) They are badass. And, we are only scratching the surface. Hold on to your cowboy hats.
MIC:My good friend and boss Brother Ken down at 92.7 The Zoo introduced me to your music and he
has been such a big part of your success in the Salina area, how did you 1st meet up with "your
brother and my brother...from another mother."
Gomes: Probably in a past life…:
MIC:What got this band together and started in
this business?
Gomes: It might sound simple, but the pure love of music.
MIC:Any truth to the "rumor" I heard you were recently out with The Doobie Brothers?
Gomes: We’ve done some shows. We are looking forward to doing some with Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special.
MIC:Playing as much as you do...Being a real Road Warrior out there, you have to have some but have
you had Any embarrassing moments on stage?
Gomes: Sure, tripping over cables, the occasional tongue-tied moment, or something of the sort.
MIC:I joked earlier about knocking BB King out of the charts..but who are the bands musical influences?
Gomes: BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Lynryd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, SRV, U2, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Rod Stewart, Clapton, Stones, Big and Rich, Elton John, Santana, etc.
MIC:Now that LIVE is pretty much everywhere...what is the stance on File swapping?
Gomes: Oh, everyone is burning stuff today. I think artists need to be compensated for their work.
MIC:You put out Music Is The Medicine and now LIVE...what is the process of getting from one to the
other?
Gomes: Liive really does reflect the Medicine Tour
MIC:You have been all over and have made tons of connections in the music biz, however...If a billionaire would come to your band and say you could play with any band..living, dead,broke up,etc.
*Who do you play with 3 bands one has to be your band...
and
*Who opens and who closes?
Gomes: Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Beatles. I wouldn’t want to follow either of them. I’ll open.
MIC:I know your out with the new band "the New Soul Cowboys"...How the hell did you get hooked up with
Javier Mendoza's Bass Guitarist, David Karns?
Gomes: Jeri Hart, our strap designer, made the introduction.
MIC:DK is a big part of the New Soul Cowboys...but let's not forget Peter Lang and Dylan St. John
where did you get in touch of all this great talent and how much top flight talent did you see
before you said, this team is the best of the best?
Gomes: They all know each other and wanted to play in a band together for a long time. I can understand why!!!
MIC: The plan is tour in support of LIVE but when will see a "Big time" studio cd
that attempts to rival "Music is the medicine"?
Gomes: Soon!
MIC: Most people years ago thought gotta get signed to do anything...you have proved
that you can still be indy and make money and tour and have fun. However I would
assume Ruf Records is the 1st step, what is the plan for the next 2 years?
Gomes: A new studio CD, Live DVD, and a few other surprises.
Thanks Anthony for doing this, we really enjoyed the talk and I know if our readers have not
picked up Anthony Gomes LIVE...They will now, Your next big gig is just right around the corner
and you can keep up with Anthony Gomes online at
http://www. anthonygomes. com and Anthony good
luck and we will def. talk to you soon, my friend.
