December 28, 2004

Interview with Jeff Watson

In the music world of today 25 years on the scene is the stuff legends are made of! With the busy Holiday Season I was excited that I was able to catch up with the legendary Jeff Watson of Night Ranger for a quick interview and Holiday Greeting to the fans. To those of us who were there and enjoyed the music when it reached its highest point in the 80’s; Jeff is an icon and a familiar face. While time has passed since the stadiums were packed with good old rock-n-roll Jeff is still the rocker at heart and a musician through and through!

I found Jeff to be well-rounded and a multi-faceted person; up to date on the issues, and strong in his beliefs. Each interview I do strengthens my certainty that rock-n-roll stars are more than just performers, but rather they are key players in our lives, documenting the importance of art and life itself!

Be sure and watch for more to come from this “Lone Ranger” and stop by http://www.JeffWatson.com for updates on the entire Night Ranger crew and Jeff himself!!

1. On your website there is a phrase “There is more than just music to Jeff Watson, but music is where he begins.” With that thought running through my mind I would like to ask you to start out the interview with an introduction of yourself, Jeff Watson, the man behind the music…
As the bios at JeffWatson.com covers most of my activity since forming Night Ranger, I guess only my early years are missing. I was born and raised in Fair Oaks (Sacramento) California, and had a pretty basic suburban kids existence. I started guitar when I was about seven, but didn't get serious until after high school. I was lucky enough to land a job at a local music store where I proceeded to launch my Jeff Watson band years. Eric Martin was the first of three singers we had, and I managed to get lots of radio airplay with my songs after being produced by both Alan Fitzgerald and Ronnie Montrose. We played only original songs and did concerts with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Heart, Ted
Nugent, etc. It was while producing my band that Fitz decided that if he were to leave Sammy or Montrose that any project he was going to do would in include me on guitar. That's where the Night Ranger days started.

2. I have been a Night Ranger fan from the very beginning and so I would to start out with what the latest buzz is all about…There is talk of a new album and of course the hopes of more touring! What can you reveal at this time as the New Year approaches?
We have new management, and are looking at several options for the next year including new albums and DVDs, and of course touring.

3. Twenty-five years is a huge accomplishment and you guys have certainly done it with style! Looking over the good and the not so good, what feelings do you have about your life in Night Ranger?
After twenty-five years of being together, it's as much of a family as a band. We've all been together for over half of our lives, and the good definitely outweighs any bad.

4. Outside of this band you have also made quite a name for yourself as a solo artist, writer and producer, of all of the aspects of music what role do you find to be the most fulfilling?
I think having anyone enjoy what I either write, play or produce brings me the greatest satisfaction.

5. Your cabin above Lake Tahoe where you do much of your writing sounds like a beautiful and very inspiring place. I read that this cabin has been in your life since childhood, could you describe what this location means to you and what it does for you in the creative process?
Our cabin has been in the family since 1927 and is the center of my personal universe. It's where I developed my guitar playing every summer, and where I go inside when life gets tough. We have no electricity, no phone, just tanks of propane to run the stove, fridge, and lights. No road accesses the cabin, so one has to either take a boat or hike to reach it.

6. Speaking of the creative process perhaps could you describe how the process works for you, do you start with a lyric, or a guitar riff…what process works best for you?
It works both ways, but for the most part ideas come off the guitar when I'm practicing.

7. We have spoken about Night Ranger and the creative process, now I would like to talk about some of your other projects; first, you have been putting a lot into working on Film and Television. What do you feel is different working with music in this aspect and how has it helped you expand as an artist?
It's nice writing to a visual cue and setting a mood for a scene. I do it in my head anyway whenever I compose, so it's a pretty natural fit.

8. Your solo career has proven many things, your skills beyond the guitar, your creativity and perhaps most of all that you are serious about your career, what do you think a solo career brings to you that other efforts can not?
The sense of self-accomplishment and full responsibility are two things that come to mind.

9. You can be quoted as saying “My goal is to be overwhelmingly too busy” which is evident in your ambitious achievements but I wonder what outside of the music you do to bring balance to your life?
A beautiful Australian girl, fine food and wine, great conversation and debate, and most importantly laughing. A lot.

10. As I researched these questions I found myself getting lost in your site, not lost in any sort of bad way, but lost in the way that you could get lost in a good book, or lost in a moment! Has your site become something of a labor of love and a bridge between you and your fans?
I compiled most of the material for the site when we first decided to put it up, and I probably need to spend more time updating it with new photos, letters, etc. It's a bit hard for me, as it feels somewhat self-indulgent.

11. You are a success story in music today and have had a long lasting career in the spot-light; from your stand point as one in the public eye… what is it like having the media following your movements, do you feel crowded by their presence or are you able to slip under the radar and get away from it?
As we're kind of yesterdays news, as far as current videos and airplay are concerned, and the fact that our fan base has also aged with us, the attention I get now is more respectful than fan crazed. It still happens whenever we go out, but there is a much higher level of courtesy.

12. As one who has been successful I would like to ask what advice you would give to the young aspiring and undiscovered artists looking to make there way into the music world?
Learn as much as you can about everything having to do with both the music and the business. Information is power.

13. You have done a great deal of interviews over the years and I can tell you that we fans have really appreciated them but, I would like to invite you to take a moment to answer the question you were never asked, to speak your mind on the topic that was never brought up or one that you are very passionate about…
I can't think of any questions I need asked, but I feel strongly about environmental and ecological concerns and I hope everyone can pay attention to these issues and try to leave this place nicer than we found it.

14. And to close the interview, please give a closing message, and perhaps a Holiday Greeting to all of your many fans…
I hope that everyone has someone to spend the holidays with, and that we all call at least one lonely person to cheer them up, and that we find any old clothes or toys we no longer use and give them to people in need. Have a great 2005!

Posted by Kathy at December 28, 2004 08:45 PM