Interview with Reg Keyworth
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
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?
Reg Keyworth: Hi…well I think Id describe my music as a renagade style in the country music industry…but it seems to work for me. I call it a Texas-Outlaw style..kinda raw and ready..Big guitar sound,.Ive always liked those scores from the likes of Clint Eastwod type movies etc..
My fans like it and thats what keeps me going. Ive had many influences throughout the years {30!} playing,Rock,Metal and Blues even Electronic Dance Music..But my own taste and style best suits with Country Music. My career started in New Zealand,then Australia for 12 years the America for 7…so lots of influence. I try to keep it all pretty real to my writing style.
Lamitschka: What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Reg Keyworth: 18 Wheels was the last radio single released early last year (2011}. It was first released on a little country music radio station in the middle of New Zealand,where it got plenty of rotation,then it was on Country Hotdisc and play around the world. It gets alot of regular airplay still today,especially on the bigger CM radio stations here in NZ.Im very humbled that folks are enjoying it.
Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story behind the name?
Reg Keyworth: 18 Wheels was originally written when I was living in Phoenix Arizona {USA} after I moved there once I finished representing Gibson Guitars {UK/USA} I wrote it on my 1959 Reissue Gibson melody maker [which I used on the final recording through an Epiphone Galaxy 10w amp}. When I moved down to New Zealand,I teamed up with Canadian singer Mirika Flegg.
She ended up writing the verses and singing on it. Its about 18 Wheel rigs{trucks} driving up and down New Zealand. It basically could be transposed for any country in the world..you just have to change the names of the towns to suit. Funny thing…they have 18 wheelers in the USA..but not in NZ!..lol…but its cool that people can still relate to it. Its dedicated to all the truck drivers and fans out there.
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?
Reg Keyworth: I think people enjoy the simple ‘no frills’ groove and catchy lyrics along with Mirika’s Rockafilly vocals. Its basic,fun and easy to tap your foot to. Im humbled that its being listened to by so many people. Great guitar tone too. Its definately different,with an old school feel.
Lamitschka: What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?
Reg Keyworth: I think Ive got several..lol…I like the fiery guitar instrumental of “Chaseing Spanish Gold”..it has an intense energy,almost described as very sensual sexy song….but I do like “Dead Mans Wash”…its very Texas Outlaw. Its a song I wrote about a place that actually exists just out of Phoenix Arizona. A wash is a dried up river bed…so on the highway amongst the cactus was this little sign that said “Dead Mans Wash”. I checked it out and imagined some cowboy getting shot there or something along those lines,back in the old west days…something must have happened there to be named that. Sadly today….Dead Mans Wash is a big suburb with houses everywhere and freeway overpasses…..Im blessed to have found the place in its original state and immortalise it into a very cool song! I laught that people enjoyed the song so much…they decided to all go there to live and build a little town on it..lol
Realistlically though…it shows how big Phoenix is growing. I suggest folks who dont know any of these go to my myspace site and listen to all of these. “Going South Laredo” is another..more big guitar rock style….but its got great dynamics.
Lamitschka: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Reg Keyworth: I have my own studio suite now..”The Mojo Room” so I have full control of how I feel the sound should be. If I co-write a song Il always bring in the other person so its a shared mix down,but I like to get my sound as real and true as possible. Im fanatic about tone..its very important in an artist standing out,rather than being a generic production like so many. Its capturing that signature sound. I learned alot throughout the years and hopefully I can express that through my writing and production. Every new release is a new phase and experiment.
Lamitschka: Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by your music?
Reg Keyworth: One that I remember was when I was playing at Willy Nelsons road managers bar “Pudy’s on the Hill” back in Austin Texas. I just finished doing a set of songs and this young kid in a wheelchair asked to be brought up to me back stage. You shoulda seen the look on his face!…Il always remember him saying.”I Love you man!” and wanted a hug…it was a very moving moment that my music had made his night in a big way. I was fresh from Australia too….so that was even more exciting for him! Thats why I enjoy doing the music….so it can be enjoyed by everyone,anywhere,anytime. The money is really just a bonus.
Lamitschka: What does it take to be a music icon?
Reg Keyworth: I think youve gotta have the right recipe and stick it out through thick and thin.
Work hard,write good material thats true to yourself and just keep it out there. I totally appreciate that my fans put me in this catagory. Ive got my own unique signature sound..it changes slightly throughout the years..but Im so humbled that people enjoy my music. Thankyou everyone!
Lamitschka: Tell us about the fan club and how people can join it.
Reg Keyworth: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Reg-Keyworth-Band/139545366121149
If you google..Reg Keyworth Band…a few pages will pop up. I encourage everyone to click “Like” and join up. Ive also got my official myspace site which is..www.myspace.com/regkeyworthband
I try to answer everyones emails and really appreciate their questions and support. Theres even a fan club merchandise site attached to both of these sites.
Lamitschka: What message would you like to send your European fans?
Reg Keyworth: Id really like to say that I appreciate everyones support throughout the years..its awesome that youve stuck by me all this time. My music is written for everyone to enjoy and I hope it holds special moments for certain times in your lives. Id love to get over and play to see you.
Meantime..keep requesting my songs to your local CM radio station. Thankyou everyone..Im humbled.
Lamitschka: Fans are always hungry for good road stories. Do you have one you can share with us (come on don’t be shy)?
Reg Keyworth: Well one time I was working in the Australian outback with a friend..Billy The Kid in our band “Sunset City”. We were touring the state of Queensland doing upto 8 shows a week.{1998} One day we were on our way all loaded up with guitars,amps and gear etc…to a coastal town called Bowen. As we left the Rockhampton area about 20 km out of town..the radiator fan flew off and went through the front fender of the car. As we came to a quick stop due to the engine overheating etc…we kinda had to put things into high gear with our minds and create a way to fix the car. We were on a main road,but it was very outback,no one around,but there was an old wire fence. I grabed some wire and managed to somehow fix the fan onto the car..semi repair the radiator and we somehow limped back into town to find some 2nd hand parts at the auto yard.Running late quite badly.. {no cell phones}we fixed the car like new and sped off for a 6 hour drive. We managed to get to Bowen about an hour before the show. As soon as we got there,first thing we did was walk in for a beer. It was quite funny as the manager was running around saying..’wheres this band tonight..theyre late!’ They didnt recognise us as we were covered in dirt and grease..almost like Aboriginies! Everyone laughed when we told them we were the band after being there for 15 mins..they were expecting us to look like how we did on the posters. The manager was very cool and understanding..so we had a beers..got washed and changed..then hit the stage. It was a really great night..one to totally remember!!
Lamitschka: Describe what a perfect day is like for you.
Reg Keyworth: Riding my Harley Davidson around the New Zealand {North Island} country side…I love it with a passion. A good summer day fishing and swimming sure is great too,with the smell of a BBQ cooking and good company!
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )