Interview
with Doug Bell of Bellevue Cadillac
with Doug Bell of Bellevue Cadillac
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?
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?
Doug Bell: The
music I write and perform ranges from American Roots, Jazz, Acoustic
and Americana.
music I write and perform ranges from American Roots, Jazz, Acoustic
and Americana.
MY BAND AND
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
~ Nominated
for 11 Grammy Awards (NOTE: make that 13 after December 6, 2012)
for 11 Grammy Awards (NOTE: make that 13 after December 6, 2012)
~ The Band has
been Performing Together for over 20 Years
been Performing Together for over 20 Years
~ Released 20
CDs and Compilation Albums
CDs and Compilation Albums
~ Released
Sound Tracks for 3 Motion Pictures
Sound Tracks for 3 Motion Pictures
~ Released
Sound Tracks for 30 TV Shows
Sound Tracks for 30 TV Shows
~ In 2010
performed 13 SOLDOUT Shows in Greece
performed 13 SOLDOUT Shows in Greece
~ Were asked
to be JFK Jr’s Secret Wedding Band
to be JFK Jr’s Secret Wedding Band
~ Have been on
the Covers of Rolling Stone, Jazziz and Swing Time Magazines
the Covers of Rolling Stone, Jazziz and Swing Time Magazines
Lamitschka: How was the last year for
you? What were your highlights?
you? What were your highlights?
Doug Bell: The
last year for me has been great, I have played with some fantastic
musicians in All-Star Band lineups which included Robin Zander
(singer/guitarist for Cheap Trick), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
(guitarist for Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan), members of Bon Jovi,
the band Boston, The Cars, J. Geils, Rick Derringer, The Wailers,
members of Aerosmith, Jonathan Edwards, Dionne Warwick, great
American bluesmen like Dave “Honey Boy” Edwards, James
Cotton, James Montgomery, and Jazz greats like Fred Lipsius (Blood
Sweat and Tears) and Harry Allen (Jazz Saxaphone).
last year for me has been great, I have played with some fantastic
musicians in All-Star Band lineups which included Robin Zander
(singer/guitarist for Cheap Trick), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
(guitarist for Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan), members of Bon Jovi,
the band Boston, The Cars, J. Geils, Rick Derringer, The Wailers,
members of Aerosmith, Jonathan Edwards, Dionne Warwick, great
American bluesmen like Dave “Honey Boy” Edwards, James
Cotton, James Montgomery, and Jazz greats like Fred Lipsius (Blood
Sweat and Tears) and Harry Allen (Jazz Saxaphone).
Lamitschka: What is your latest CD and
how’s it doing?
how’s it doing?
Doug Bell: My
latest CD is “Once in a Blue Moon” (Recorded Live in
Athens, Greece). We were on the Grammy nominations ballot in several
categories, and it has been well reviewed and received. I have
released 2 digital singles, they were placed in the country category
by the Grammy nomination committee and distributed to all the voting
members of the Grammy awards for this year’s Grammy ballot (2012).
latest CD is “Once in a Blue Moon” (Recorded Live in
Athens, Greece). We were on the Grammy nominations ballot in several
categories, and it has been well reviewed and received. I have
released 2 digital singles, they were placed in the country category
by the Grammy nomination committee and distributed to all the voting
members of the Grammy awards for this year’s Grammy ballot (2012).
Lamitschka: Do you write the songs
yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?
yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?
Doug Bell: I
do write the songs I record. Songs come to me in many different ways.
Usually they are character driven, and when I think about the
characters and the circumstances, the songs begin to write
themselves. They take on the complexities, strengths and weaknesses
all human beings possess, and you let them play out various actions
and reactions that life may lead them, or certain situations dictate.
do write the songs I record. Songs come to me in many different ways.
Usually they are character driven, and when I think about the
characters and the circumstances, the songs begin to write
themselves. They take on the complexities, strengths and weaknesses
all human beings possess, and you let them play out various actions
and reactions that life may lead them, or certain situations dictate.
Lamitschka: Please tell us about the
songs on your album (influences, etc).
songs on your album (influences, etc).
Doug Bell: The
two digital singles, “Whiskey and Water”, and “Nothing
Ventured, Nothing Gained” are quite different. “Whiskey and
Water” is about an inner storm colliding with an outer storm (
Katrina) taking place during the onset of a hurricane, the internal
emotions are out of control as the girl in the story is trying to
escape the powerful control of her father who is the chief of police
in New Orleans. “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained” is
about someone looking back at their life, realizing that they missed
the important opportunities to love and be loved because they didn’t
put enough effort in, while looking for that next possibility and
wasted a life in the process. And, never really learned the lesson.
two digital singles, “Whiskey and Water”, and “Nothing
Ventured, Nothing Gained” are quite different. “Whiskey and
Water” is about an inner storm colliding with an outer storm (
Katrina) taking place during the onset of a hurricane, the internal
emotions are out of control as the girl in the story is trying to
escape the powerful control of her father who is the chief of police
in New Orleans. “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained” is
about someone looking back at their life, realizing that they missed
the important opportunities to love and be loved because they didn’t
put enough effort in, while looking for that next possibility and
wasted a life in the process. And, never really learned the lesson.
Lamitschka: What is the difference
between your last CD and your current one?
between your last CD and your current one?
Doug Bell: The
“Once in a Blue Moon” CD was live on New Year’s Eve in
Athens, Greece, with my Bellevue Cadillac horn band, so the songs
spanned from Lyle Lovett big band style of ironic songs with a more
blues/jazz edge combined with American Roots songwriting. Lots of
energy, fun and great performances from a solid band. Everything from
island influences to New Orleans, surf/spy to ukulele!
“Once in a Blue Moon” CD was live on New Year’s Eve in
Athens, Greece, with my Bellevue Cadillac horn band, so the songs
spanned from Lyle Lovett big band style of ironic songs with a more
blues/jazz edge combined with American Roots songwriting. Lots of
energy, fun and great performances from a solid band. Everything from
island influences to New Orleans, surf/spy to ukulele!
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?
being played by radio. What do you feel is special about this song
that makes people want to hear it?
Doug Bell: My
song “Whiskey and Water” has a real American vibe, the
guitars have a Tom Petty, Dylan, The Band, Dire Straits, straight
ahead rockin’ back beat while the vocals have an Eagles, The Byrds
and Elvis Costello thing going on.
song “Whiskey and Water” has a real American vibe, the
guitars have a Tom Petty, Dylan, The Band, Dire Straits, straight
ahead rockin’ back beat while the vocals have an Eagles, The Byrds
and Elvis Costello thing going on.
Lamitschka: What will your next single
be?
be?
Doug Bell: I
have a new one called “Summerset” I’m quite proud of. I
have always been a fan of Hank Williams, Dan Penn, John Hyatt and
Willie Nelson, I love the song writing, but sometimes I take a left
turn when the subject matter moves me, and in this case, I went for
Beach Boys and Beatles. I just love a well written song, it doesn’t
matter if the character wears worn out jeans and a t-shirt, or a
tuxedo, just so long as it’s true to the character, and you believe
the emotion and character is pure, and you believe the emotions are
true.
have a new one called “Summerset” I’m quite proud of. I
have always been a fan of Hank Williams, Dan Penn, John Hyatt and
Willie Nelson, I love the song writing, but sometimes I take a left
turn when the subject matter moves me, and in this case, I went for
Beach Boys and Beatles. I just love a well written song, it doesn’t
matter if the character wears worn out jeans and a t-shirt, or a
tuxedo, just so long as it’s true to the character, and you believe
the emotion and character is pure, and you believe the emotions are
true.
Lamitschka: What kind of songs do you
like to record the most?
like to record the most?
Doug Bell: I
enjoy writing the song and then experimenting to see what best fits
the situation, sometimes I like to twist the meaning and make a sad
song happy and visa versa. I also like to use humor with very serious
topics. I try very hard to say things in simple language to try and
put across very complex situations. For example, I might do a song
with agnostic concepts and make it a gospel song, or do a light
Carribbean feel about a deposed Nigerian King like “Ja Ja Opobo”
(Doug Bell Song) or banana republics like “Blow Wind Blow”
(Doug Bell Song).
enjoy writing the song and then experimenting to see what best fits
the situation, sometimes I like to twist the meaning and make a sad
song happy and visa versa. I also like to use humor with very serious
topics. I try very hard to say things in simple language to try and
put across very complex situations. For example, I might do a song
with agnostic concepts and make it a gospel song, or do a light
Carribbean feel about a deposed Nigerian King like “Ja Ja Opobo”
(Doug Bell Song) or banana republics like “Blow Wind Blow”
(Doug Bell Song).
Lamitschka: What is your favorite song
among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?
among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?
Doug Bell: I
really like summerset. I wanted to tell the story of Americas summer
of love from the Monterey pop festival to Altamont festival with the
rolling stones. Woodstock was in the middle so I used this as a
metaphor for lost of innocence. It was a very short time, but so much
happened. The Vietnam war ran like a river underneath it all, and
from the beautiful promise to the death at Altamont speedway, it all
ended so sadly, Sgt Pepper was the summer of love soundtrack for that
year, and the beach boys had influenced the Beatles and by the end of
that summer we lost Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison and Beatles
broke up. I wanted to try and capture that moment. Another song comes
to mind… my song “Havana Moon”. I tried to portray Havana as a
mistress for 3 suitors, the soviets, the mafia and the American
president all during the bay of pigs and the missile crisis, using
the moon shot and the assassination as a backdrop, and Havana as the
mistress besting all 3 of her suitors.
really like summerset. I wanted to tell the story of Americas summer
of love from the Monterey pop festival to Altamont festival with the
rolling stones. Woodstock was in the middle so I used this as a
metaphor for lost of innocence. It was a very short time, but so much
happened. The Vietnam war ran like a river underneath it all, and
from the beautiful promise to the death at Altamont speedway, it all
ended so sadly, Sgt Pepper was the summer of love soundtrack for that
year, and the beach boys had influenced the Beatles and by the end of
that summer we lost Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison and Beatles
broke up. I wanted to try and capture that moment. Another song comes
to mind… my song “Havana Moon”. I tried to portray Havana as a
mistress for 3 suitors, the soviets, the mafia and the American
president all during the bay of pigs and the missile crisis, using
the moon shot and the assassination as a backdrop, and Havana as the
mistress besting all 3 of her suitors.
Lamitschka: How much creative control
do you have over your music?
do you have over your music?
Doug Bell: I
am fortunate to own and control all of my masters and my music
publishing, I have no record company, and no one to force me into a
niche that is for the sole purpose of making money, I get to do what
my heart tells me is right for every song. I am blessed!
am fortunate to own and control all of my masters and my music
publishing, I have no record company, and no one to force me into a
niche that is for the sole purpose of making money, I get to do what
my heart tells me is right for every song. I am blessed!
Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically
and how deep do your musical roots run?
and how deep do your musical roots run?
Doug Bell: I
started with Elvis, have played with Ray Charles, James Brown. I love
Gershwin, Harry Belafonte, Marley, Louis Prima, I’ve been on CDs with
artists like Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Joe Jackson,
Louis Prima, Mel Torme, played with Tito Puente, the list is very
long. I love an artist, a true, no bullshit, one hundred percent,
artist, from Louis Armstrong’s hot 7 to Van Morrison and Bob Dylan.
started with Elvis, have played with Ray Charles, James Brown. I love
Gershwin, Harry Belafonte, Marley, Louis Prima, I’ve been on CDs with
artists like Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Joe Jackson,
Louis Prima, Mel Torme, played with Tito Puente, the list is very
long. I love an artist, a true, no bullshit, one hundred percent,
artist, from Louis Armstrong’s hot 7 to Van Morrison and Bob Dylan.
Lamitschka: What do you think about
today’s music scene versus its post and where do you see it going in
the future?
today’s music scene versus its post and where do you see it going in
the future?
Doug Bell: I
believe the playing field I the most level it has ever been, and the
ONLY way to develop a fan base is to be truly great. Why do the Avert
Bros and Mumford and Sons out sell Justin Bieber, it’s a new world,
in a biz that is usually drought with special effects, side shows and
the like, out walks Adele!
believe the playing field I the most level it has ever been, and the
ONLY way to develop a fan base is to be truly great. Why do the Avert
Bros and Mumford and Sons out sell Justin Bieber, it’s a new world,
in a biz that is usually drought with special effects, side shows and
the like, out walks Adele!
Lamitschka: What inspired you to
become an artist?
become an artist?
Doug Bell:
Dylan, Ray Charles and Gershwin.
Dylan, Ray Charles and Gershwin.
Lamitschka: What inspired you to
become a songwriter?
become a songwriter?
Doug Bell: The
above plus The Beach Boys, Beatles, Bacharac, Louis Jordan, Dan Penn,
Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Laura Nyro, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams,
Carole King, Van Morisson, Marvin Gaye, Harry Belafonte and more…
above plus The Beach Boys, Beatles, Bacharac, Louis Jordan, Dan Penn,
Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Laura Nyro, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams,
Carole King, Van Morisson, Marvin Gaye, Harry Belafonte and more…
Lamitschka: Many music fans today get
their information about artists online. Do you have your own website
and what will fans find there?
their information about artists online. Do you have your own website
and what will fans find there?
Doug Bell: You
can “Friend” and “Like” us on these web sites:
can “Friend” and “Like” us on these web sites:
Lamitschka: What message would you
like to send your European fans?
like to send your European fans?
Doug Bell:
Thank you for digging deeper than most American fans do.
Thank you for digging deeper than most American fans do.
Lamitschka: Describe what a perfect
day is like for you.
day is like for you.
Doug Bell:
When I get a great idea for a song, 2 cappuccinos, an afternoon
recording session and a live show that night.
When I get a great idea for a song, 2 cappuccinos, an afternoon
recording session and a live show that night.