Thursday, April 3, 2008
Talking w/ TR from JMU The Breeze
Talking with Tim Reynolds
Former Dave Matthews Band guitarist talks about life as a musician
The Breeze
James Madison University's Student Newspaper
By Sean Youngberg, contributing writer
Posted on April 3, 2008
Recently I was fortunate enough to do a phone interview with world-renowned guitarist Tim Reynolds of Tim Reynolds and TR3. The fascinating musician, who will be coming to JMU on April 9, disclosed his thoughts about the Dalai Lama, Harrisonburg and a life-sized Winnie The Pooh.
SY: Who are your biggest musical influences?
TR: Over the years it’s been different people. It’s a crazy mish-mash of style-hopping; they all kind of happened over the last thirty years since the late sixties. A lot of names: Mystery, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Gilmour, Peter Gabriel, Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead are some of the names.
SY: You’ve played in Harrisonburg numerous times throughout your career. What’s your favorite part of coming back to town?
TR: I’ve been there so many times, when TR3 started in the ’80s that was the big road-trip place to go. People really liked us there back in the day when we played at Calhoun’s, Valentinos, even some other small place I can’t remember the name of now and JMU as well. I’ve played there with a lot of different bands…TR3 played there a lot, just the history that goes back to the middle ’80s.
SY: Shortly following your performance here at JMU you will be playing for the Dalai Lama. How excited are you for that? And what other distinguished individuals have you played for throughout your career?
TR: I’m really excited about the Dalai Lama; just thinking about him I can’t even remember other distinguished figures. He stands out in such sharp contrast among other distinguished figures because he’s almost superhuman in his soul and spirit…It’s more than I can express into words the honor of something like that.
SY: What is the craziest and or strangest thing that’s ever happened to you while you’ve been on stage or while you’ve been on tour?
TR: WOW…
SY: …That you can tell us.
TR: Well recently, and in more of the strange and wonderful variety, we’ve had some crazy TR3 experiences that are mysterious and wonderful at the same time. We had a life-size, in the flesh Winnie The Pooh, in a gas mask coming out on stage and because of that it becomes sort of a circus ride out there. The weirdest thing I’ve ever seen was when I was playing with Dave at an acoustic show in Colorado. We were on stage playing mellow and chill songs about love and I guess some kid rushed the stage. Because of that, two people rushed him and they all crashed into the side of the stage where all the speakers were. Of course all of the speakers started coming down. That was very bizarre; more of the strange and dangerous category.
SY: So this Winnie Pooh, was it planned or was it something that surprised you?
TR: Well...I’ll just keep that a mystery [laughter] because you never know.
SY: If you weren’t playing music, and you had another occupation, what would that be?
TR: I’m really into history. But history has become such a repetition that it’s kind of becoming a negative. The other things that I really am trying to push forward in my own mind are quantum physics and Buddhism. If I wasn’t a musician — I do it anyways as a musician – I’d try to open our brains, our hearts and our souls to what we thought people think; that’s going to get us out of repetitive activity such as fear and things like that.
SY: Tim, I can see that you are a very positive man, if you had words of advice for aspiring musicians, what would you say?
TR: Be sincere in what you’re doing because as soon as it’s not about that, you shouldn’t be in that line of work. Just as if you were someone who likes to build houses, if you don’t want to be doing that than you shouldn’t be doing that. And to keep doing what you’re doing. If you’re not making any money, figure out a way to make at least enough money to keep a shirt on your back. It takes time to figure these things out, and you know just keep playing. That’s all I ever did: just keep playing.
SY: Just keep playing?
TR: Just keep playing and just keep playing.
SY: You came to JMU two years ago and people are excited that you’re coming back, but the people also want to know what can they expect from yourself and TR3?
TR: Basically, we’re just going to rock the house! That’s what we do and that’s what’s going to happen!
Tim Reynolds and TR3 will be rocking the house on Wednesday, April 9 in Memorial Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door, they are available at Warren Hall Box Office or Plan 9 Music. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. For any questions contact ceccotcj@jmu.edu
http://thebreeze.org/2008/04-03/ae1.html