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April 8, 2009
Interview with Darrell Mansfield:
1. You're scheduled
for a show in
Hood River, Oregon,
April 11 at the River City Saloon. This club is mainly known for
rock, blues, jam-bands, and acoustic acts. As far as I know, this
may be the first gospel-blues/Christian rock band to be on the
bill. Have you ever played in the Columbia River Gorge before, and
if not, what led you here?
No I’ve never played the Columbia River
Gorge before. I’m just touring in the area and this
opportunity presented itself.
2. Concerning the songs
currently on your "myspace" page - is this the band/format that we
should expect at this show?
Actually the songs on my “myspace” page
rotate pretty often, so it won’t necessarily be the same format.
3. I must admit, I'm probably more familiar with
bluegrass-gospel than I am with main-stream Christian rock. What
label is your back-catalog on and where can people find it?
I’ve been on three different labels.
I own the rights to my own music now and sell it online and in
concert only.
4. Where did you grow up and how did you
get interested in playing music?
I grew up in Southern
California. I became interested in music after
meeting Paul and Linda McCartney in Hollywood
when they were doing their “Ram” album.
5. Your press
release said that you've worked with several mainstream rock acts.
What Van Halen album/track did you play on and what was that
experience like for you? Do you still do session work?
I actually did three shows with Eddie Van
Halen. The last one was at the Celebrity Theater with Billy
Idol, Dweezle Zappa, Billy Sheen, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora.
I played harmonica on Loverboy’s last hit,
“Notorious.” I also wrote the song “Walk with me Baby” for
the Harrison Ford Film “Random Hearts,” and recorded the harmonica
and vocals. I’ve done lots of live shows with the Kentucky
Headhunters. But one of the greatest experiences I’ve had
was in 1976 when I played two nights with Big Joe Turner who
called me “the preacher on the Mississippi
saxophone.”
I gave Jon Bon Jovi harmonica lessons at
Little Mountain Studios in Vancouver,
B.C., for a solo he played on the “New
Jersey” album.
My last session was with John (Anderson)
from Yes. It was so weird that I decided not to do session
work anymore publicly unless I really believed in the person’s
music and their message. I decided I didn’t want to exploit
myself anymore.
6. In 2007, Paul deLay, a well-known
harmonica player in the Portland
blues scene, died. Did you know him?
I never met Paul. We have many
mutual friends, though. It’s a shame I never got a chance to
play with him, but I’ve heard nothing but great things about him.
7. Your press release says that you've been inducted into
the Blues hall of Fame. Where is that organization located and
when will you be celebrating that event?
The Blues Foundation is a nationwide panel
of blues scholars who induct new members every year into the Blues
Hall of Fame. I’ve already been presented the award as Ambassador
to California.
Thanks again
Darrell for your time, and good luck with your shows.
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