Interview with Buddy Good
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Christian Lamitschka: Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?
Buddy Good: I WAS BORN IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. MY PARTNER JAMES MARVELL AND I WERE PIONEERS IN ROCK AND COUNTRY MUSIC. I WAS IN THE GROUP MERCY OF “LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY” FAME WITH THE 1969 MILLION SELLING RECORD “LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY.” BEFORE THAT I WAS PART OF THE ’60s GARAGE BAND SCENE, WITH RECORDS LIKE:”SHE’S GOT BAD BREATH” BY THE SKOPES WHICH WAS BANNNED BACK IN THE MID-SIXTIES I GUESS THAT TYPE SONG WAS TOO MUCH. ( Here’s a Garage Band song I wrote where I sang lead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzHaN-SMU_c&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ) WE ALSO HAD THE Group ‘SURPRIZE’ WITH RECORDS LIKE “I WILL MAKE HISTORY.” MY DAD WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1964 LOVED COUNTRY MUSIC, SO ME AND JAMES MARVELL WENT TO COUNTRY MUSIC AS THE COUNTRY CAVALEERS CAUSE THAT’S WHAT MY DAD REALLY WANTED AND I LOVED. WE WERE THE F1RST WITH THE OUTLAW IMAGE IN 1970. WE WERE TRADITIONAL COUNTRY AND CAMPAIGNED AGAINST DRUGS. MARVELL AND I HAD SEVERAL CHART RECORDS ON MGM AND COUNTRY SHOWCASE AMERICA RECORDS. IN 1971 CMA SAID, “The Cavaleers Have Scored A First In Country Music!”
WELL, NOW I WOULD DISCRIBE MYSELF AS AN ALL AROUND SINGER. I CAN LITERALLY SING ANYTHING, DO IMPRESSIONS AND COMEDY. I SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH THE ELDERLY AT NURSING HOMES. I DO CONCERTS WITH LOVE IN MY HEART FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON. LIFE HAS TAUGHT TO GIVE AND NOT EXPECT ANYTHING IN RETURN BECAUSE OF MY BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST, MY WIFE PAMELA OF FORTY YEARS, MY CHILDREN AND NINE GRANDCHILDREN ARE TRULY THE MUSIC IN MY LIFE.
Lamitschka: How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
Buddy Good: MY LAST YEAR WAS SPENT IN PANAMA CITY BEACH FLORIDA. OF COURSE, WE HAD A HOME IN NASHVILLE, AND CAME BACK HOME. I DID SOME ENTRERTAINING FROM KENTUCKY TO FLORIDA ALONG WITH MY SON SHAWN WHO IS ALSO AN ENTERTAINER. MY HIGHLIGHTS ARE KISSING MY WIFE LIKE IT’S THE FIRST TIME, HOLDING HANDS WITH HER AND KNOWING WE’RE BEST FRIENDS.
Lamitschka: What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Buddy Good: MY LATEST CD WAS NAMED “YOU ARE SO BEUTIFUL” FROM A JOE COCKER HIT. HE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ENTERTAINERS. NOTICE I SAID ENTERTAINERS. I HAD SOME AIRPLAY BUT DO MAINLY LIVE SHOWS.
Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story behind the name?
Buddy Good: YES THERE IS A STORY. AFTER 45 YEARS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS I GOT TO PICK WHAT I WANTED TO SING. THERE ARE TEN GREAT SONGS ON THE CD AND THOUGH I’VE HAD A GREAT LIFE THERE WERE TIMES I HAD NOTHING TO EAT, A PLACE TO STAY OR ANYTHING BUT STILL LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL SO I NAMED IT “YOU ARE SO BEUTIFUL TO ME.”
Lamitschka: Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?
Buddy Good: YES I WROTE SEVERAL OF THE SONGS WE RELEASED THROUGH HTE YEARS WITH JAMES MARVELL. I ALSO SEARCH FOR SONGS A NEW GENERATION WOULD LIKE TO ENJOY.
Lamitschka: Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).
Buddy Good: I SANG EVERYTHING FROM THE BEATLES TO RAY CHARLES, TO THE YOUNG RASCALS AND MORE. I SING IN MY OWN STYLE. AFTER ALL MY YEARS IN THE BUSINESS I WOULD SAY MY STYLES LEAN TO LEGENDS LIKE ELVIS,BEATLES ETC.
Lamitschka: What is the difference between your last CD and your current one?
Buddy Good: THE FIRST ONE HAD MORE COUNTRY LIKE RAY PRICE STYLE AND ALSO THE GROUP BREAD. I HAVE A THREE OCTIVE RANGE.
Lamitschka: Your current single is being played by radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to hear it?
Buddy Good: AT THIS TIME I DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE
Lamitschka: What will your next single be?
Buddy Good: IT WILL BE SOMETHING I WROTE AND PRODUCED.
Lamitschka: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
Buddy Good: There is no certain song. I appreciate everything.
Lamitschka: You did a duet with James Marvell. How did that happen to come about?
Buddy Good: WE SANG TOGETHER IN SEVERAL ROCK BANDS BEFORE FORMING THE COUNTRY CAVALEERS IN 1970.
Lamitschka: What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?
Buddy Good: “BEST THING GOD EVER MADE.” I ACTUALLY WROTE THIS SONG ABOUT MY WIFE ONE NIGHT THEN MARVELL ADDED TO IT. I KNEW THAT GOD HAD PUT PAMELA HERE FOR ME.
Lamitschka: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Buddy Good: 100 PERCENT
Lamitschka: There’s a lot of work that goes into a number one hit. What did it take to make it in your case
Buddy Good: WELL I STARTED RECORDING IN 1965 WITH A BAND CALLED THE PAGANS. AFTER SEVERAL RECORDINDS AND DIFFERENT BANDS I FINNALY HAD A MILLION SELLING RECORD CALLED “LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY.” IF YOU’RE ASKING IF I PAID MY DUES? I WOULD HAVE TO SAY SEVERAL TIMES.
Lamitschka: Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by your music?
Buddy Good: YES, OUR FANS WOULD FOLLOW US ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN COUNTRY MUSIC. WE HAD A VERY LARGE FAN CLUB SPANNING THE U.S. AND CANADA. EVEN TODAY, FORTY YEARS LATER, I’M AMAZED OF THEIR LOYALTY FOR THE COUNTRY CAVALEERS.
Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Buddy Good: EVERYONE INSPIRES ME. MY ROOTS RUN WAY BACK TO 1957, WHEN I WAS A SOLOLIST IN CHORUS AT MY BUFFALO, N.Y. SCHOOL. I WAS ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD, THE OTHER KIDS WERE AT LEAST TWELVE YEARS OLD. MY DAD WOULD TAKE ME TO THE T&T WESTERN PARADISE IN BUFFALO. AND I WOULD PLAY THE SAXAPHONE AND CLARINET AND MEETING MANY OF THE COUNTRY LEGENDS OF THAT DAY. FOR SOME REASON I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO SINGING AND PLAYING. WHEN MY DAD PASSED AWAY HE LEFT ME HIS GIBSON GUITAR AND AMPLIFIER. THAT’S THE REAL REASON I WENT TO ROCK MUSIC AND LATER BACK TO COUNTRY.
Lamitschka: What do you think about today’s music scene versus its post and where do you see it going in the future?
Buddy Good: THE SCENE NOW IS THE SAME AS WHEN I WAS YOUNG, THERE’S ALWAYS GREAT TALENT SOME FOUND, SOME NOT. I THINK IT NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE ROOTS. THE INTERNET HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO GO WORLDWIDE. I BELIEVE THAT ALL MUSIC WILL BE PLAYED TOGETHER, NO MORE SEPERATION.
Lamitschka: What do you think about today’s music industry?
Buddy Good: THE AMOUNT OF TALENT HAS INCREASED SO THE INTERNET SHOULD HELP ARTISTS REACH OUT TO AN AUDIENCE THAT NORMALLY THEY COULD NEVER REACH. JUST LIKE BEFORE, THE DREAM IS STILL OUT THERE. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD. TRY TO WRITE YOUR OWN MUSIC, CAUSE THAT’S VERY IMPORTANT. AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY MIGHT FIND YOU. MAKE YOURSELF VISABLE.
Lamitschka: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Buddy Good: FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THE OPPERTUNITY TO BE HEARD. MANY OF THE MAJOR STARS ARE EVEN COMING FROM T.V. SHOWS!
Lamitschka: As an artist, you so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?
Buddy Good: HAVING TIME TO WRITE AND HAVING TIME TO DO INTIMATE CONCERTS.
Lamitschka: Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?
Buddy Good: AT THIS TIME JUST RELAXING AND TRYING NEW IDEAS TO MUSIC.
Lamitschka: What was your big break that got you into the music business?
Buddy Good: THE ’60s BAND MERCY WITH OUR HIT “LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY”
Lamitschka: Before you became a star, were your friends and family supportive or was it a struggle?
Buddy Good: I’VE BEEN ON MY OWN SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD. SO I Had TO STRUGGLE BEFORE I FINNALLY HAD A HIT RECORD.
Lamitschka: What inspired you to become an artist?
Buddy Good: MY FATHER AND MY LOVE FOR THE GIFT GOD GAVE ME.
Lamitschka: What inspired you to become a songwriter?
Buddy Good: MYSELF. I WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING I COULD SHARE !
Lamitschka: What drives you?
Buddy Good: MY ATTITUDE TO ALWAYS DO SOMETHING BETTER.
Lamitschka: What does it take to be a music icon?
Buddy Good: TALENT,LUCK, AND MOST OF ALL HARD WORK.
Lamitschka: What’s unique about you that will differentiate you from other artists?
Buddy Good: BEING THE FIRST TO DO SOMETHING IN MUSIC, BEING A REAL ENTERTAINER, BEING ABLE TO DO SEVERAL THINGS THAT PEOPLE LOVE TOO SEE.
Lamitschka: What has been your greatest challenge in music business?
Buddy Good:COUNTRY MUSIC! GOING ON WHEN PEOPLE WOULDN’T EXCEPT ME BECAUSE I WAS DIFFERENT. BUT WITH MY LOVE FOR MY FATHER AND MUSIC NO ONE COULD STOP ME.
Lamitschka: What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you are proud of?
Buddy Good: MY GREATEST WAS BEING BACK IN BUFFALO,N.Y. AT MY MOTHER’S HOUSE PRACTICING IN THE LIVING ROOM AND HAVINNG HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE STANDING IN THE STREETS GOING CRAZY BECAUSE OF MY FAME. LATER, SINGING SONGS THAT ACTUALLY MADE PEOPLE CRY,LAUGH,AND SING ALONG.
Lamitschka: Any thoughts of retirement ahead?
Buddy Good: NOT REALLY, I SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH OLDER PEOPLE AT NURSING HOMES, SING, LISTENING TO THERE STORIES ABOUT THEIR LIVES. AS LONG AS I CAN SING AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE I WILL NEVER RETIRE.
Lamitschka: Who is your biggest critic, yourself or others?
Buddy Good: MYSELF
Lamitschka: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?
Buddy Good: GRAND KIDS AND OF COURSE MY WIFE AND MUSIC.
Lamitschka: Is there anything in your life that you would change if you could?
Buddy Good: I WISH I HADN’T GOTTEN OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT IN 1977, ALTHOUGH IT GAVE ME MEMORIES I COULD NEVER REPLACE WITH MY FAMILY. SO REALLY NOTHING.
Lamitschka: What hopes and desires do you have?
Buddy Good: TO HAVE A GREAT CD AGAIN SELLING MILLIONS, AND WATCH MY GRANDKIDS GROW.
Lamitschka: What has been the biggest disappointment in your life?
Buddy Good: MY FATHER NOT SEEING ANY OF MY SUCCESS.
Lamitschka: Many European fans travel to the United States to attend the several of the music festivals for the opportunity to see so many of their favorite artists, bands and celebrities. Will you be participating and how will the fans be able to find you?
Buddy Good: PROBABLY FAN FAIR IN NASHVILLE,TN.
Lamitschka: Is there any place you haven’t played that you would like to?
Buddy Good: I WOULD LIKE TO TOUR EUROPE AND THE FAR EAST.
Lamitschka: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?
Buddy Good: ONE OF THE GREATEST SINGERS,ENTERTAINERS THEY HAVE EVER SEEN.
Lamitschka: When you’re on tour, do you have time to play tourist?
Buddy Good: EVERY CHANCE I GET
Lamitschka: Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do they respect your privacy?
Buddy Good: NOT AS MANY AS THERRE USED TO BE. BUT YES STILL SOME.
Lamitschka: Many music fans today get their information about artists online. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Buddy Good: NO BUT I AM ON THE INTERNET At: mercy1969 or go to this link: http://www.mystudio.net/myprofile.aspx?profileurl=mercy1969
Lamitschka: Tell us about the fan club and how people can join it.
Buddy Good: I WILL BE STARTING A NEW ONE SHORTLY
Lamitschka: What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?
Buddy Good: WHEN A LADY CRIED, AND SAID THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
Lamitschka: What’s your favorite song that you wish you could have recorded?
Buddy Good: STATUE OF A FOOL (JACK GREEN)
Lamitschka: What message would you like to send your European fans?
Buddy Good: I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU KNOW MY MUSIC AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY LIVE FOR YOU. REALLY WHO KNOWS, THAT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN.
Lamitschka: How do you feel about being winning the MOST PROMISING DUO COUNTRY MUSIC :RECORD WORD 1973,
Buddy Good: GREAT! THERE WERE REALLY TOO MANY AWARDS TO MENTION. IT KEPT ME YOUNG AND THE WILL KEEP ME TRYING FOR SOMETHING MORE.
Lamitschka: What has it done for your career?
Buddy Good: FINNALLY OPEN DOORS FOR COUNTRY RADIO TO EXCEPT US, THAT WE WERE FOR REAL AND NOT GOING AWAY
Lamitschka: You have a new love in your life? Can you tell us something about it?
Buddy Good: NO, STILL MY WIFE OF FORTY YEARS.
Lamitschka: Fans are always hungry for good road stories. Do you have one you can share with us (come on don’t be shy)?
Buddy Good: WELL I HAD GOOD FRIENDS IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE WHOM I MET IN 1970. NOVA FITAGERALD WAS A SONGWRITER, AND A REAL GOOD ONE. THEY CAME FROM CALIFORNIA. THEY OWNED A NIGHT CLUB ON BROADWAY IN NASHVILLE, THE ONLY AREA TO BE IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR COUNTRY MUSIC STARS. ME AND MY PARTNER JAMES MARVELL WAS STILL IN MERCY, BUT CAME TO NASHVILLE TO SEE WHAT LAID IN STORE FOR US GOING COUNTRY, WELL WE TORE NASHVILLE UP. ANYWAY, BILL ASKED ME FOR A AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE FOR THEIR DAUGHTER PAMELA WHO WAS AT HER GRAND-MOTHERS FOR THE SUMMER. PAM KEPT THAT PICTURE ON HER WALL, SHE WAS FIFTEEN AT THE TIME. ABOUT A YEAR LATER I SAW BILL AND NOVA DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND PULLED THEM OVER. HE ALWAYS TOLD ME HOW HIS DAUGHTER FELL IN LOVE WITH MY PICTURE AND SAID SOME DAY SHE WAS GOING TO MARRY ME. OF COURSE I JUST BLEW IT OFF. BUT IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS CAR CAME OUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL I HAVE EVER SEEN, NEEDLESS TO SAT IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! NOW, FORTY YEARS LATER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN. THAT’S A TRUE STORY. SHE’S MY PRINCESS ENEN TODAY. WE’RE STILL IN LOVE !
Lamitschka: Describe what a perfect day is like for you.
Buddy Good: WAKING UP FIRST. I AM A VERY POSITIVE PERSON. JUST TO SEE THE SKY,THE FLOWERS, KID’S LAUGHING, WORK AND THEN BACK TO MY FAMILY AT NIGHT. WHO COULD POSSIBLY ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE.
Lamitschka: Most careers don’t last as long as yours. What’s given your career the staying power?
Buddy Good: WELL I’VE AJUSTED TO EVERYTHING, SOME TIMES DOING OTHER THINGS TO SURVIVE BUT ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY. WHEN YOU HAVE FAMILY THAT LOVE YOU, THAT’S SUCCESS. JUST TO LOOK BACK AND SAY, THAT’S RIGHT I WAS A FIRST IN COUNTRY. HOW ABOUT THAT. NOW, AFTER SO MANY YEARS IT’S COMING TO PASS, THANKS TO FOLKS IN THE MEDIA LIKE YOU CHRISTIAN.
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )