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Resource Directory : : TODD SNIDER.

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Submitted By: host | Added On: 7/3/2006 | Total Views (437) | Total Downloads: (0)

EveryEvery once in a while I become so captivated by an artist that I just have to find out more. Such is the case with this songwriter extraordinaire. He is an artist that can make you think, laugh and inspire your own craft to new heights. I took a chance, reaching out to his management who were more than willing to hook me up with him. Find out what makes him tick in this edition of THE MELTING POT with TODD SNIDER.

Your music is a melting pot of so many different styles: rock, folk, Americana, even country. Who are some of the artists that have influenced your style?

credence, skynyrd, stones (Flin and Rolling),dylan,hunter thompson, jack lambert, lou reed,

the sonics, jerry jeff walker, hondo crouch, blind lemon pledge, ramblin jack elliot,

rem, bob and tom, robert service, billy joe shaver, kris kristofferson, sheb wooley

gg allen, george strait, beatle bob, skip litz, courtney love,howard finster, izzy stradlin,

joe namath, mark twain, houdini, rueben and the jets, keef, mick, kpig, harlan howard

lewis and clarke, the way outs, tom t hall, jay z, david lee roth, billy white shoes johnson

big house red wine, the rave ups, guy clarke, john prine, todd francis,

unknown hinson, woody, hank, chuck, muddy, slim chance, kent finlay

harden young, snoop d.o. double juhzee,bill hicks, little jimmy dickins, cowboy troy, my wife, my dogs

and that old world war two vet guy

who walks around east nashville waving at everybody

Is there a rhyme or reason to what you write, or do you just pick topics that are on your brain at the moment?

I work on songs everyday, but only keep certain ones

they say songwriting is a craft

and to a degree i agree

its kinda like building a chair

but

my gut tends to only like the chairs i build

when myself or someone i know

seems to really need a place to sit.

What inspires you and makes you want to write a song?

almost everything

Legendary songwriters like Kris Kristofferson, John Prine & Billy Joe Shaver have given wonderful reviews of your music recently. How does it make you feel to know that some of the most famous songwriters & musicians of all time rate your talent so highly?

humbling.....

Much of your material is humorous and satirical, yet you are not a “comedian” like many of the artists that appear on THE BOB & TOM SHOW, a syndicated radio morning show you have frequented the last few years. How did you garner a relationship with them?

on my first album i went to visit them and we just got along real well

went to different high schools together.....as they say

brothers of another mother.....they are great friends to me

Has working with BOB & TOM made it easier or harder to get your point across as a “serious” writer? Do some people just look at you as someone who writes only “novelty” material?

well....for starters

im not trying to get a "point across" as a "serious writer"

it is my opinion that "serious writers" with a "point to get across"

are pretentious...im just trying to open my heart

and not be a coward about whats in there...

thats how i make my living.

i tell the stories i know....if you learn from them its your own fault

making music is fun....making money off music

means you have to try to get as many people as you can

to stop and decide what they think of your music.

any time some one takes the time to form an opinion about my art

positive or negative

i am thankful

as for whether or not some people look at me as someone

who only writes novelty material

i dont know

i know "some people" but i dont know if there the same "some people"

your asking about

but i can tell you

that i try to stay as detached from things i can't control as i can

i know about myself, from years of touring

that no word someone uses to describe me

is gonna change my set list or daily agenda.

What advice might you give a young musician who is out there trying to make it on the scene today?

beat it kid....no room at the inn.

no actually i would say

life is sad, life is a bust,

all you can do, is do what you must,

you do what you must do, and you do it well.

Speaking of “making it on the scene”, Will Kimbrough has been kicking around the Nashville rock scene since the early to mid 80’s. He has played guitar for you through the years and recently helped you produce your CD, EAST NASHVILLE SKYLINE. How long have you worked together and how did you guys hook up?

we met when we were both really young at a christian camp retreat

we dated for a while but now were just friends

will worships the devil.....

.which i have always found charming.

we've been working together eleven years .....

and are currently in the middle of making another record together

What is it about the EAST NASHVILLE SKYLINE that made you want to name your album that?

discount cigarettes liqour and wine

anywhere anytime

we deliver

You also have a BEST OF album called THAT WAS ME – THE BEST OF TODD SNIDER 1994-1998. How does it feel to look back and realize you have enough material and enough fans to warrant a BEST OF album?

it makes me feel good....the people who worked at mca were good to me

and threw a bunch of dough into me

that they didnt get back

it makes me happy to know, that all this touring ive done since i left mca

worked well enough to make them think

there was still a chance to get that money back

which is essentially why there doing it

they called me

and gave me complete control of the project

which i never expected

they didnt have to do that

What does the future hold for Todd Snider?