Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
1.Which artists had the biggest impact on you growing up?
Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Men at Work, and the Grateful Dead
2. How has your background/upbringing shaped your political philosophies?
I was brought up primarily in a 12 Step household on my mother’s side whom passed with 43 years of sobriety: where one is taught to take accountability for their actions and to listen to ones story without interruption, giving back, being comfortable making amends, along with other mindful characteristics. From my father’s side, divorced from my mother when I was five, he was a creative entrepreneur business man, conservative. I’m personally a moderate conservative trying my best to keep a bipartisan perspective on things, valuing reaching across the aisle to achieve compromise & keep things moving forward.
3. Are there any contemporary artists that you are a fan of?
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Casanova Ace & Shorty Mack.
4. Are there certain aspects of “Rolling Stone” that you are proud of how they turned out?
I would like to switch the word proud to grateful if you don’t mind? I’m grateful for how the overall composition turned out from first my research and country rock n roll beat choice and modifications, to Casanova Ace’s poetic writing, the duet between Shorty Mack & my lyrics (he’s so much more polished than I am, & I see his smooth , soothing style saving the track from mine. I’m the EP of our music & CEO of the movement so I guess was a fit). I dig the Rolling Stone history we cover and the interwoven lead guitar throughout, especially at the end of the track.
5. What was the most difficult part of putting “Rolling Stone” together, if there was any?
It was the decision to use me and keep me as one of the two lead vocalists. Our band, whom we currently like calling DJ Staunch & the Bigfoots and team around us supported me being that vocalist to the track more than I did. I thought Rolling Stone was such an important track, the anchor track to our Album, “2023,” that I thought it deserved a Steven Tyler or Lady Gaga or something, not me. Well, then comes the money required to retain such artists, contracting them, timing, and we had a schedule to keep to. There wasn’t “a snow ball’s chance in hell,” so I made the trip to Chicago Recording Company from where I live on Colorado and laid my tracks to duet with Shorty’s.
6. What is the biggest change you have noticed to the music landscape during the digital age?
The only way to make any money in the business is from touring live gigs, and if you get big enough then branding.
Any recommended starting points to any artists who want to get into classic rock?
All I can speak to is the path we took in developing our music. Against the advice of others, I/we completely ignored what was going on in the music industry to develop our style in dropping our three albums over the last several years. We were more motivated by the genres of music that developed over the decades of the 20th Century, even Centuries when including the strings/classical, and then the stories we wanted to tell. We see ourselves as significant story tellers.
7. What is next for the Staunch Moderates?
Marketing “The Staunch Moderates Experience (SME),” is all about helping mend America’s philosophical & political Divide:
One hour investigating SM website while listening to our albums or Staunch Moderates Radio Hour.
Watch our 83 minute Feature Documentary Film, “Mission Peace.”
Uninterruptedly listen to each of our three, many-time-Grammys balloted, multi-genre , hip hop albums: The First Realm, Mission Peace & 2023.
Optional: Watch our 15 Music Videos on News and Events page from our website.
Optional: Listen to at least one episode of Staunch Moderates Radio Hour with GTS & Gary Garver.
Please note SME is all about retraining ourselves & society away from the current partisan, Extremism, vitriol & hate towards a more Moderate, peaceful loving Society.
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