Let's Get Straight To The Point...Steve Orchard scooped this world exclusive "straight-to-the-point" July 2002 interview following the release of Dan's landmark CD Guitar Man... Question) Steve... What motivates "Dan Peek" in 2002 to record another LP... an LP that a lot of old America fans are wholeheartedly embracing? Answer) Dan... Guitar Man is an album that is the culmination of a lifetime of learning my craft as a musician, singer and songwriter. Ironically, during the AMERICA years and the years immediately following, I was so busy touring and doing the peripheral business of music, that it really was rough going to keep the songs coming. I did it, but it was challenging. That pressure was hard on Dewey, Gerry and me as AMERICA. For the second time in my life I feel like an artist again. I write when I want, record when I want and with the exception of the frustrations of running my own record company which includes writing for and producing other artists and meeting deadlines etc., I can say without hesitation that the last few years have been the most fulfilling from the standpoint of pure artistry. That includes painting as an artist and utilizing that work as a part of the record production as well as just plain letting my hair down and writing and playing and recording what comes straight from my heart and soul. The first time I felt like an artist was probably while I was holed up in my dorm room over the 1970 Christmas Holiday when I wrote "Rainy Day". I wasn't out to prove anything to anybody and I wrote straight from the heart. Later, after discovering the formulaic aspects of hit-writing from Joe Smith (former president of Warner Brothers) and by observing the truths of his wisdom, I could pretty much write on demand. That became especially important during my CCM years. That is without doubt the hardest genre for which to compose. You are walled in by the absolutes of the divinely inspired Word, and that presents a huge challenge from the lyrical point of view. Question) Steve... Grammy winner, Award winning Contemporary Christian artist... you've worn a lot of hats over the years and recorded some different styles of music. Considering the favorable reaction to the current disk, what's ahead for Dan Peek? Answer) Dan... Actually, I am in the process of putting the final touches on Volume II of "Guitar Man". I'm also editing film and video for a DVD long form video of Dan Peek as well as a 7-Mile Entertainment DVD "Sampler" of music and video. I'm also hoping to carve out some time to write with some of my songwriter pals, like Kent Blazy and Jim Dowell. Question) Steve... Commercially speaking, your greatest successes came as a member of "America". And while the label "former member of" continues to haunt any guy who left a successful band, do you still personally feel that you'd like to rejoin the guys on stage at anytime in the future? Now its been documented that Gerry & Dewey prefer to veto any such "reunion", but to set the record straight...how do you feel about that kind of talk? Answer) Dan... Some days I feel like taking out an ad in the newspaper for a position wanted. "Middle-aged Rock Guitarist seeks a gig with established group". I even thought about asking the EAGLES if I could join them. But they need another guitar player like they need more money. As far as an AMERICA reunion it just doesn't look like it will ever happen. Dewey and Gerry are quite comfortable with the status quo and I fully understand. They have a great management team that keeps them as busy gigging as they want to be. The latest "Greatest Hits" releases have all done well and the two of them are keeping the AMERICA name alive. In light of all that, I have no desire to upset the apple-cart. On the other hand, the years of being off the road have softened the memories of its cruelties and I admit to fantasizing about the smell of the crowd and the roar of the colored gels melting on the can lighting. Many thanks to Steve Orchard for allowing us to publish this exclusive interview from July 2002 |
