JEFF BATES
Jeff Bates Interview.
interviewsofrecordingartists.com
During the Golden Era of modern American popular music, from the late 60's into the early '70's, American recording artists often sang of the life they lived. Artists' whose songs appealed to audiences, simply because the audience could see themselves within those now classic hit singles of the era, became legendary.
Therein lies one reason Jeff Bates is an American recording artist to watch.
Why? Because Bates' career as a singer/songwriter is just beginning.
With the recent release of his debut solo album," "Rainbow Man", Bates is poised to make the ascent from regional entertainer, to an internationally known recording artist.
The new music on, "Rainbow Man", contains compositions that vividly display
Bates unique musical style.
The songs shine with an all-inclusive sound of rock, soul, blues and traditional country music, that incorporates those elements and lyrically, reveals a poet's sensibility.
During the following interview, Bates speaks candidly of his life, his music and what he believes to be his own, "mission", now that his shining debut "Rainbow Man", has been released. Throughout the interview, Bates is refreshingly straight forward, with no air of pretense.
(Q)- With the music on your new album, "Rainbow Man", you have created
a style of music in which honesty seems to be the cornerstone of the
lyrics.
Jeff Bates- I agree.
(Q)- How do ideas for songs come to you?
Jeff Bates- An idea for a song will just hit me all of a sudden. So when that happens I just grab a guitar and write it down or grab a tape recorder to record the music that seems to just come to me from out of nowhere. That'll lead me into an idea. To me, there's a spiritual side to songwriting that makes a song something special that I'm after. Every now and then you get to an idea then you connect, there's no other feeling like that in the world.
(Q)- "Rainbow Man" is an important musical statement.
You choose to write and sing songs, which are inspired by real life scenarios, some of which must be painful to sing about. Why?
Jeff Bates- If you can't be honest with yourself, then how can you be honest with anyone else?
(Q)- Is your own personal story to be found within the lyrics to the music of your album, "Rainbow Man"?
Jeff Bates- This entire album if you like it or hate it, is my life and my life it's honest. And, I don't know how to be anymore honest then that.
(Q)- If you could another word to sum up the song lyrics which comprise the eleven tracks on your new disc, what would that theme be?
Jeff Bates- Survivor.
(Q)- Are you one?
Jeff Bates- Yes. I am a survivor.
(Q)-There is a lot of personal pain expressed within the lyrics to several of the songs.
Jeff Bates- That's right.
(Q)-You've survived a rough life. You were adopted, you grew up living in rural Mississippi and you've known poverty. You not only survived a brief stormy marriage, you battled with your own personal problems as well.
In addition to years spent touring and performing in nightclubs and bars.
Jeff Bates- I have.
(Q)- How has living a life of trials, tribulations and victories, found it's way into your music?
Jeff Bates- That side of my life, is included in the stories I tell with my music. I've been through a lot in my life. I haven't always been a, "good person", in my life either. So I now have a sense of commitment to be honest to myself and to others as well. And today, I have a commitment to maintaining that honesty throughout my life and career.
(Q)- Where does that sense of commitment come from?
Jeff Bates- The commitment stems from my being dishonest for so long.
You see, I've made a lot of mistakes, I hurt a lot of people. I had a lot of heartache and I caused some myself. And, when it came down to the bottom line on everything, it all came down to me simply being dishonest with me.
For a long time in my life, I was dishonest with myself. I made myself out to be a victim of other people's stuff.
(Q)- When did you finally decide to change your ways? Was there a moment when you had an epiphany experience?
Jeff Bates- One day I finally realized (2001) when I was in Nashville and I had just woken up in a room after about a week long run (binge) on methamphetamines (stimulant drug).
(Q) What happened to bring about the change?
Jeff Bates- I realized that I'd hurt everybody I loved and that I did not want to be the same person anymore. I didn't want to do drugs anymore. So, I found help in the form of a psychologist and a counselor. Then, I went to looking at me. And, when that happened I started getting honest with myself.
(Q)-So how you did change your troubled ways?
Jeff Bates- I finally did change by first admitting to myself that I caused my own personal pain and I caused other people's personal misery as well. You see, for a long time I was in denial. Then, finally one day I admitted that I caused all of this. I caused all my own pain and misery and in the process of doing that, I also caused pain and misery to other people. Then, I realized that I didn't want to be that guy anymore. That started the process of going back through my life. Then I began checking into the people, things and institutions that I resented. I then discovered, when it was something that I resented,ninety-nine per cent of the time, especially if it was related to anger, that was caused by the fear of what I thought people might think of me.
(Q)- Does that process of healing still continue for you?
Jeff Bates- Yes.
(Q)-How?
Jeff Bates- When I think of somebody whom I might of done or said something wrong to, even if it was years ago, I track them down by getting their telephone number. Then I call them and I confess it to them and then I tell them that I am sorry that I hurt them. That is how I got honest with me and that's how I got honest with everybody else.
(Q)- Your new disc, "Rainbow Man", contains many short stories which listeners can relate to on multiple levels. Even throughout the pain there is happiness and victory due to personal triumph.
Jeff Bates- That's because it is about life. These are stories that everybody can relate to. I've come to find out as I've become older one lesson.
We are all alike in many ways and the truth is that we all have self-doubt some times.
(Q)- Why is that true for you?
Jeff Bates- You know why? Life is tough sometimes. Take the title song, "Rainbow Man". It's a song about me being adopted. That's the personal side of the song. But the broader picture is that I don't know where I came from, I can't trace my blood lineage. I can't trace my blood lineage. I don't know who my ancestors were. And a lot of us is we tell the truth, don't. This whole country (USA) is that way.
(Q)- What matters most to you today now that you're clean?
Jeff Bates- What really counts is that I know who I am now. For the first time in my life in over two years, I know who I am and I'm not better than anybody else. That is also the cool thing about it all.
(Q)- Why is the current single "The Love Song", a song that listeners
can relate to?
Jeff Bates- It's universal. It's about love. The first time we feel it all the way up to when we give new life to somebody else then we restart the cycle again. It's about the different levels of love and everybody goes through it and that's what we're all put here for. Meaning that when we're on our deathbed and we look back over our life, we won't remember the money we had, we'll remember the love that we had.
(Q)- What do you think you will remember most fondly?
Jeff Bates- I think I will remember most fondly the relationships I've had.
(Q)- As a performer what are your strengths?
Jeff Bates- Before I could walk and talk, I was singing. When I was a child, I'd stand up on a tree stump and start singing. There's no other feeling that big when you finally have a life long dream that you live life long enough to get through. If any part of my stage show or what I'm doing when I'm performing
can help anybody else, then that's what I'm doing this for. It is going to be the most exciting time in my life.
(Q)- As for what the future holds for you and you career now that your debut album has been released, do you have any predictions?
Jeff Bates- No. I can't say what's going on there. Other then my work schedule, I leave it all up to God. I'll make plans for my work schedule but as for the outcome, I'll leave that up to God. And I just show up every day and try to do the right thing.
(Q)- Anything special happening to you?
Jeff Bates- Yeah. There is. The autograph line. That makes me happy. I don't even like to have the table between us. Let's just hug (females), shake hands (males) and talk. You know? It's not even about me, it's about the music and the people out there.
(Q)-why?
Jeff Bates- I mean when I am meeting people in the autograph line and I'm hearing and feeling their response to "Rainbow Man", above everything is awesome. I mean, "The Love Song" is obviously a Top Ten Single and it's about love, life and perpetuating our species.
(Q)- How does that relate you as an individual?
Jeff Bates- I feel that, since I'm adopted and I don't know who my daddy was, that's reflected in "Rainbow Man" and people can hear and feel that message.
(Q)- In what way is that true?
Jeff Bates- It' s about a sense of belonging.
(Q)- "Rainbow Man", is in my opinion, a brilliant work. the music and more importantly the lyrics, are all inclusive. In that the vision the lyrics portray is one in which EVERYBODY is included. Diversity has not always traditionally been a real strength in country music. The vision found within the lyrics to the title track of your new disc are about diversity. It's an all-inclusive vision and one that, if taken and embraced by the fans, could open the genre up to a broader audience in which would, possibly create a whole new era for country music's next episode as a genre. Agree? Disagree?
Jeff Bates- I agree totally. First of all, I'm a songwriter and I write with great songwriters. I try and only write about real things, the things that I've lived and most of the things that I've lived through, most of the audience have lived through those very same things within heir own life. "Rainbow Man" IS all-inclusive, because it's about belonging. And, we all belong here (within the USA.), it don't matter what skin color we are.
(Q)- You don't like any limits do you?
Jeff Bates- (Shouts.) No! I don't think we should live our genre and I don't think anybody should limit our (country) genre and I don't think anybody should limit us as human beings. First of all to love. And, if we can get that in our music, that's what I'm all about that's where I'm at. Love one another be good to one another.
(Q)- Is there a sense of righteousness you feel towards your music?
Jeff Bates-Ahhhh....I think that it's the right thing, as far as a sense of righteousness.
(Q)- Growing up in rural Mississippi, I am certain you were a part of the separation. (Due to segregation in the Deep South).
Jeff Bates- I'm all about love, I'm all about forgiveness. This entire album, my entire career is about those two truths. I'm full of hope and I've been a part of the separation (of people and classes of people) all of my life. Growing up in rural Mississippi, the thing I have the most as my fondest memories is that, I met a lot of good people there, I haven't met any bad people there. That is what I take with me from growing up there. That's perhaps why I am all about love and I'm all about forgiveness. This entire album is about redemption.
End.
Jeff Bates Interview.
interviewsofrecordingartists.com
During the Golden Era of modern American popular music, from the late 60's into the early '70's, American recording artists often sang of the life they lived. Artists' whose songs appealed to audiences, simply because the audience could see themselves within those now classic hit singles of the era, became legendary.
Therein lies one reason Jeff Bates is an American recording artist to watch.
Why? Because Bates' career as a singer/songwriter is just beginning. With the recent release of his debut solo album," "Rainbow Man", Bates is poised to make the ascent from regional entertainer, to an internationally known recording artist.
The new music on, "Rainbow Man", contains compositions that vividly display Bates unique musical style.
The songs shine with an all-inclusive sound of rock, soul, blues and traditional country music, that incorporates those elements and lyrically, reveals a poet's sensibility.
During the following interview, Bates speaks candidly of his life, his music and what he believes to be his own, "mission", now that his shining debut "Rainbow Man", has been released. Throughout the interview, Bates is refreshingly straight forward, with no air of pretense.
(Q)- With the music on your new album, "Rainbow Man", you have created a style of music in which honesty seems to be the cornerstone of the lyrics.
Jeff Bates- I agree.
(Q)- How do ideas for songs come to you?
Jeff Bates- An idea for a song will just hit me all of a sudden. So when that happens I just grab a guitar and write it down or grab a tape recorder to record the music that seems to just come to me from out of nowhere. That'll lead me into an idea. To me, there's a spiritual side to songwriting that makes a song something special that I'm after. Every now and then you get to an idea then you connect, there's no other feeling like that in the world.
(Q)- "Rainbow Man" is an important musical statement. You choose to write and sing songs, which are inspired by real life scenarios, some of which must be painful to sing about. Why?
Jeff Bates- If you can't be honest with yourself, then how can you be honest with anyone else?
(Q)- Is your own personal story to be found within the lyrics to the music of your album, "Rainbow Man"?
Jeff Bates- This entire album if you like it or hate it, is my life and my life it's honest. And, I don't know how to be anymore honest then that.
(Q)- If you could another word to sum up the song lyrics which comprise the eleven tracks on your new disc, what would that theme be?
Jeff Bates- Survivor.
(Q)- Are you one?
Jeff Bates- Yes. I am a survivor.
(Q)-There is a lot of personal pain expressed within the lyrics to several of the songs.
Jeff Bates- That's right.
(Q)-You've survived a rough life. You were adopted, you grew up living in rural Mississippi and you've known poverty. You not only survived a brief stormy marriage, you battled with your own personal problems as well. In addition to years spent touring and performing in nightclubs and bars.
Jeff Bates- I have.
(Q)- How has living a life of trials, tribulations and victories, found it's way into your music?
Jeff Bates- That side of my life, is included in the stories I tell with my music. I've been through a lot in my life. I haven't always been a, "good person", in my life either. So I now have a sense of commitment to be honest to myself and to others as well. And today, I have a commitment to maintaining that honesty throughout my life and career.
(Q)- Where does that sense of commitment come from?
Jeff Bates- The commitment stems from my being dishonest for so long. You see, I've made a lot of mistakes, I hurt a lot of people. I had a lot of heartache and I caused some myself. And, when it came down to the bottom line on everything, it all came down to me simply being dishonest with me. For a long time in my life, I was dishonest with myself. I made myself out to be a victim of other people's stuff.
(Q)- When did you finally decide to change your ways? Was there a moment when you had an epiphany experience?
Jeff Bates- One day I finally realized (2001) when I was in Nashville and I had just woken up in a room after about a week long run (binge) on methamphetamines (stimulant drug).
(Q) What happened to bring about the change?
Jeff Bates- I realized that I'd hurt everybody I loved and that I did not want to be the same person anymore. I didn't want to do drugs anymore. So, I found help in the form of a psychologist and a counselor. Then, I went to looking at me. And, when that happened I started getting honest with myself.
(Q)-So how you did change your troubled ways?
Jeff Bates- I finally did change by first admitting to myself that I caused my own personal pain and I caused other people's personal misery as well. You see, for a long time I was in denial. Then, finally one day I admitted that I caused all of this. I caused all my own pain and misery and in the process of doing that, I also caused pain and misery to other people. Then, I realized that I didn't want to be that guy anymore. That started the process of going back through my life. Then I began checking into the people, things and institutions that I resented. I then discovered, when it was something that I resented,ninety-nine per cent of the time, especially if it was related to anger, that was caused by the fear of what I thought people might think of me.
(Q)- Does that process of healing still continue for you?
Jeff Bates- Yes.
(Q)-How?
Jeff Bates- When I think of somebody whom I might of done or said something wrong to, even if it was years ago, I track them down by getting their telephone number. Then I call them and I confess it to them and then I tell them that I am sorry that I hurt them. That is how I got honest with me and that's how I got honest with everybody else.
(Q)- Your new disc, "Rainbow Man", contains many short stories which listeners can relate to on multiple levels. Even throughout the pain there is happiness and victory due to personal triumph.
Jeff Bates- That's because it is about life. These are stories that everybody can relate to. I've come to find out as I've become older one lesson. We are all alike in many ways and the truth is that we all have self-doubt some times.
(Q)- Why is that true for you? Jeff Bates- You know why? Life is tough sometimes. Take the title song, "Rainbow Man". It's a song about me being adopted. That's the personal side of the song. But the broader picture is that I don't know where I came from, I can't trace my blood lineage. I can't trace my blood lineage. I don't know who my ancestors were. And a lot of us is we tell the truth, don't. This whole country (USA) is that way.
(Q)- What matters most to you today now that you're clean?
Jeff Bates- What really counts is that I know who I am now. For the first time in my life in over two years, I know who I am and I'm not better than anybody else. That is also the cool thing about it all.
(Q)- Why is the current single "The Love Song", a song that listeners can relate to?
Jeff Bates- It's universal. It's about love. The first time we feel it all the way up to when we give new life to somebody else then we restart the cycle again. It's about the different levels of love and everybody goes through it and that's what we're all put here for. Meaning that when we're on our deathbed and we look back over our life, we won't remember the money we had, we'll remember the love that we had.
(Q)- What do you think you will remember most fondly?
Jeff Bates- I think I will remember most fondly the relationships I've had.
(Q)- As a performer what are your strengths?
Jeff Bates- Before I could walk and talk, I was singing. When I was a child, I'd stand up on a tree stump and start singing. There's no other feeling that big when you finally have a life long dream that you live life long enough to get through. If any part of my stage show or what I'm doing when I'm performing can help anybody else, then that's what I'm doing this for. It is going to be the most exciting time in my life.
(Q)- As for what the future holds for you and you career now that your debut album has been released, do you have any predictions?
Jeff Bates- No. I can't say what's going on there. Other then my work schedule, I leave it all up to God. I'll make plans for my work schedule but as for the outcome, I'll leave that up to God. And I just show up every day and try to do the right thing.
(Q)- Anything special happening to you?
Jeff Bates- Yeah. There is. The autograph line. That makes me happy. I don't even like to have the table between us. Let's just hug (females), shake hands (males) and talk. You know? It's not even about me, it's about the music and the people out there.
(Q)-why?
Jeff Bates- I mean when I am meeting people in the autograph line and I'm hearing and feeling their response to "Rainbow Man", above everything is awesome. I mean, "The Love Song" is obviously a Top Ten Single and it's about love, life and perpetuating our species.
(Q)- How does that relate you as an individual?
Jeff Bates- I feel that, since I'm adopted and I don't know who my daddy was, that's reflected in "Rainbow Man" and people can hear and feel that message.
(Q)- In what way is that true?
Jeff Bates- It' s about a sense of belonging.
(Q)- "Rainbow Man", is in my opinion, a brilliant work. the music and more importantly the lyrics, are all inclusive. In that the vision the lyrics portray is one in which EVERYBODY is included. Diversity has not always traditionally been a real strength in country music. The vision found within the lyrics to the title track of your new disc are about diversity. It's an all-inclusive vision and one that, if taken and embraced by the fans, could open the genre up to a broader audience in which would, possibly create a whole new era for country music's next episode as a genre. Agree? Disagree?
Jeff Bates- I agree totally. First of all, I'm a songwriter and I write with great songwriters. I try and only write about real things, the things that I've lived and most of the things that I've lived through, most of the audience have lived through those very same things within heir own life. "Rainbow Man" IS all-inclusive, because it's about belonging. And, we all belong here (within the USA.), it don't matter what skin color we are.
(Q)- You don't like any limits do you?
Jeff Bates- (Shouts.) No! I don't think we should live our genre and I don't think anybody should limit our (country) genre and I don't think anybody should limit us as human beings. First of all to love. And, if we can get that in our music, that's what I'm all about that's where I'm at. Love one another be good to one another.
(Q)- Is there a sense of righteousness you feel towards your music?
Jeff Bates-Ahhhh....I think that it's the right thing, as far as a sense of righteousness.
(Q)- Growing up in rural Mississippi, I am certain you were a part of the separation. (Due to segregation in the Deep South).
Jeff Bates- I'm all about love, I'm all about forgiveness. This entire album, my entire career is about those two truths. I'm full of hope and I've been a part of the separation (of people and classes of people) all of my life. Growing up in rural Mississippi, the thing I have the most as my fondest memories is that, I met a lot of good people there, I haven't met any bad people there. That is what I take with me from growing up there. That's perhaps why I am all about love and I'm all about forgiveness. This entire album is about redemption.
End.
