An Interview with Bill Kingman

Bill Kingman a longtime Lake Tahoe disc jockey. He has interviewed many artists over the years, including, Barbara Streisand, Herb Alpert, Anne Murray and Petula Clark.

BK: Do you choose your material? Or is that controlled by the record company, or producer?

RD: At the present time I am recording on my own independent label. I also produce my own sessions. Currently I have complete control over the finished product. That could explain the reason for my lack of a hit recording! Just kidding.

BK: Who are some of your favorite artist? (Whom do you listen to a lot?)

RD: That’s a tough one since I enjoy a wide variety of music. I’ll try and narrow it down a bit. Let’s start with some of the music that my parents had around the house when I was a kid. My first and biggest influence, then and now would be Elvis Presley. Now let’s go to the singer/songwriter vein that I fall into. At the top of that list would be Neil Diamond. I identify strongly with his music. John Fogerty, John Denver, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney as a Beatle and solo artist are up there as well. Though he’s not known as a songwriter, Glen Campbell is one of the most talented performers I’ve ever seen. He’s, one of the biggest reasons, I chose to be a live performer instead of just a songwriter. We’ve become friends over the years. I think the world of him.

Anything that has James Burton playing the guitar on I listen to. He’s my favorite guitar player. He’s become one of my dearest friends, as well as being a mentor and big brother. Speaking of brothers, my younger brother Ray got the biggest thrill, when James wished him Happy Birthday over the phone one year.

I really enjoy watching old footage of Dean Martin, a complete entertainer. I don’t play the horn, but I love Herb Alpert with the TJB and as a solo artist. Being from Southern California, let’s not forget the California Sound. On that list we have The Eagles and Loggins and Messina.

As far as female singers there’s, Olivia Newton John, Anne Murray and Petula Clark. This is what I remember as a kid growing up, thanks to my parents and sisters collection.

On what’s current I love Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack and Jewel. I really enjoy Keith Urban. On the charts right now! Jon Bon Jovi and his band have a hit song that’s on the Country charts with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” Jon duets with Jennifer Nettles from the group Sugarland. It’s such a cool song with a strong message. Ottmar Liebert has taken Flamenco, Jazz and Gypsy music to a new level. I’ve been getting into Norah Jones. I really enjoy Shania Twain as a performer and recording artist.

I’ve been sitting in with the Sunday night Folk Group at St. Brigid Catholic Church in {Pacific Beach} San Diego. It’s been a lot of fun. The people in the band, and the congregation, are great to be around. So you can tell that I enjoy Christian and Gospel music as well. As a matter of fact my Business Mgr. and dear friend Henry Vasquez ran a folk group in San Diego and I played in it for a while.

Twilla Paris, Point of Grace and Amy Grant are some of the artists I enjoy from this genre. I am planning on writing and recording a Contemporary Christian/Gospel/Praise and Worship album in the near future.

I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks. James Newton Howard, Randy Newman, Michael Kamen, Elmer Bernstein and Dimitri Tiomkin are among my favorites. Sting is one of the most talented people in the business. I’ve left out some big names here but I like a big variety of music. I don’t try and copy these people, but I have learned from them and I’ve studied their careers. It’s important to have your own sound. James Burton really gets after me on that one!

BK: How many songs have you written? Have you recorded them?

RD: I have composed around 350 songs. I’ve recorded about twenty of them, not counting demos.

BK: Could a new artist; succeed today if they didn’t write their own music?

RD: That’s a great question. Lee Ann Womack didn’t write any of her hits. Neither does Celine Dion. On the other hand, Norah Jones writes as does Jewel. Shania writes with her husband Mutt Lange. If an artist gets hot then everyone pitches a song to you. Sooner or later that well can dry out. I think if you’re someone like Paul Simon or Sting who transcend time and style’s that come and go. Like a good wine, they get better with age. They also have a very loyal following.

BK: Do you sing other writers songs?

RD: Not in the recording studio. I’ve written with others, like Saguaro Moon with James Burton. When I perform live, I’ve done everything from the old classics to what’s current. I cover all genres. I pretty much know the Rick Diaz sound by now. You really can’t pigeon hole me into one category. That’s something I’ve always strived for with my music.

I’ve had disc jockeys describe my style as Americana and Universal Appeal. Your music is an extension of who you are.

BK: Do you record in other languages?

RD: I’m fluent in Spanish and I speak some French and I know a little Native American Dialect. I’ve tried to translate to Spanish but have had no luck. You must think in meters and do the original lyric justice.

What I’m leading up to, is that if the right person could translate a song for me, I would give it a try! You can’t be afraid to try things. That goes for any arena in life. Not just the arts!

BK: Where were you the first time you heard one of your recordings on the radio?

RD: I was right here in Lake Tahoe. To be exact it was during the holidays in December of 1991 in Tahoe City, the namesake of my company. I was listening to KRLT, on 93.9 FM, you were the on the air and you played my recording of My Christmas Wish For You. It caught me by surprise I just sat there, staring at the car radio. I was in the parking lot next to Bank of America and Safeway. It’s a moment I will always treasure. I had done many interviews before and been given air checks. But, to just be listening to the radio, and have one of my songs come on the airwaves. That was the first time.

BK: What’s your favorite venue: on stage, on record, on VH1, or what?

RD: With out a doubt, live on stage with a full rhythm section and back up singers behind me. I enjoy them all a great deal. There’s no way you can compare the energy you pick up from a live audience. But, it all start’s when you write the song. You are usually off by yourself somewhere. In my case I’m either playing the piano or the guitar.

BK: Is there a venue you want to try- movies, live T.V.?

RD: You probably didn’t know this. But originally I started out as an actor. I majored in Drama for a while in College. When I was fifteen years old I would produce, direct and act in my own student films. I would get all of my friends involved; even my grandpa appeared in one. They were always westerns! Speaking of westerns I have written a script and book titled “Dreams of Gold” that I will costar in. Jack Thompson a veteran Producer of movies and television will be the line producer. He’s helped a great deal. He also got me my agent Terry Porter. I’d like to thank my friend Bob Shelton, of Old Tucson Movie Studio’s fame for getting the ball rolling here.

James Burton and I will produce the soundtrack. I’ll be singing my own music for the film and album. My dear friend Carl Jackson has offered to help out. I’ve learned so much from him over the years. The songs have a contemporary feel to them while still fitting the movie. There are some very well known people involved in this project. I am honored to have this opportunity to work with such a great group of talent.

Originally, my friend Richard Farnsworth wanted to play the lead role as my grandfather. Unfortunately both he and the director Burt Kennedy passed away within five months of each other, back in Oct. of 2000 and Feb. of 2001. The project will be dedicated to both of their memories along with my grandpa who’s life the story is based on. This has been a labor of love for me, which began back in November of 1993. These three men, each in their own way, have had a profound effect on me.

Aside from that I think a musical would be a natural step for me. My manager Bob McClure was on Broadway. I know that this would make him very happy. He’s been like a father to me. I’m lucky to have had him in my corner from the beginning. I’d love to be in Big River: “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Keep checking the website for more information about the movie. It will be updated in the near future to include all of the latest news about my career. Several movie parts and soundtrack contributions are in the works, as well as being a guest artist on a Christmas special. I can’t really come out and say too much more at the moment.

I’ll have a new album out sometime during in 2006. It will be called “Americana”. My friend Parmer Fuller arranged the strings for “We’re All Americans” and “Just You and Me”. I’ve asked Parmer to do the score for my film. When I’m around him it’s like taking a class in arranging. He also teaches at USC. The single Full Count is autobiographical, since I originally was going to be a professional baseball player. I threw in the 90-plus mph range and was a very good hitter. Not following my boyhood passion was a very difficult decision for me.

I’ve been getting my arm back in shape to do a video for Full Count. It’s been getting airplay in Upstate New York, close to Cooperstown. I’ve talked to some people I know from the baseball world, who’ll be helping out. This will be a lot of fun!

I’m also somewhat of a horse whisper. My cousins Kathy and Lynnette who live in Bakersfield, CA constantly remind me that I would speak to their horses when I was a kid and the horses would answer me back. It’s kind of ironic because I’ve recently met Buck Brannaman, the inspiration for the Robert Redford movie “The Horse Whisperer”. We really hit it off and he wants to do the movie with me. I know I’ll really be able to learn a lot from him. He’s a very special person. I’m pretty handy with a rope as well. This comes naturally since my ancestors from my mothers, side of the family were ranchers. My friend Joe Parsons who is a World Champion Calf Roper wanted to sponsor me. He never lets me forget it either! Come to think of it, I probably would have made a good Horse Veterinarian.

This was a very difficult and trying time for me. I was torn between three completely different worlds. When one would not work out, I would drift to another and then back again. I honestly didn’t know who I was much less where I belonged. Thank God, I can now see the whole picture. God made me this way and I can go from one world to another at will. I use these experiences to my advantage now, instead of fighting them. I’m very blessed, that I’ve been able to find myself as a person. Not everyone is that fortunate, especially in the Arts.

BK: Finally, how do you relax?

RD: As you can tell I’m a real outdoors person. I still ride horses when I can. I still compete in rodeos when time permits. I took up golf in 1997, and have turned out to have a real talent for the game. It’s a great release valve for me. I love to go trout fishing in the Sierra’s (Lake Tahoe) and in the Colorado Springs area of the Rockies. The clubs and fishing pole travel with me often. My grandpa taught me to shoot when I was about six years old. I love to target shoot, but it’s getting harder to find the open space for it. I cross country ski when I’m in Tahoe. I want to learn to downhill. For the past twenty years, I’ve become an avid photographer. Some of my work has been published. My favorite subject to shoot is? You guessed it Lake Tahoe! I jog a lot to stay in shape and hit some tennis balls too. It’s always been my passion to have a horse ranch and have my own horses again. This goes back to when to when I was a little boy. When I’m alone, I like to play the piano or guitar. I love to watch movies and musicals. I’ve come full circle with my life and I’m on a good path right now. I keep God in the center of it all. I’ve been very blessed with the gifts I’ve been given and the people he has brought into my life. Every day is a gift from him. I live my life to the fullest and do my best to reach out to those around me.

BK: Thank you so much for the interview and sharing your story with me.

RD: It’s been my pleasure!