L
IVE ON THE NET chat with Henry Paul
In this chat which took place on April 21st, the online BlackHawk fans were able to ask him almost anything, from his past with the Outlaws to where he sees BlackHawk going in the future. You can download either the audio or the video of the interview. Also included below is a transcript of the questions and answers, however the text answers are not word for word, so use it only to follow along with what Henry is saying. Also, you will need the Real Player 5.0 or G2 to view the interview in Video or Audio form. It is a free download from real.com However, unfortunately, the audio/visual portions will only be available for a limited time, so get it while you still can. But even after the audio/visual goes down, I will keep the text transcript for future viewing. |
Text Transcript to accompany the Audio/Visual
Host: Hi everyone. Henry is here and we are getting settled. Please send in your questions.
Host: Thank you all for coming. We'll get going in about 5 or 6 minutes. Please send in your
questions for Henry Paul of Black Hawk.
Jessica: Do you answer all your fan mail?
Jessica: Do you like it when fans bring Henry Paul Band and Outlaw records for you to sign
Henry Paul: It is always fun to hear from those that remember us from the past
Gramma: Hi Henry...could you tell us a bit about the Run On The Row race? We Lee Roy Parnell
fans are looking forward to accepting the BlackHawk fans challenge to win the fun run...my ol' legs aren't quite up to the 5K;-))
Henry Paul: I know what they are laying for me - it's a setup
Henry Paul: We'll elbow here in the front of the line to make sure she does
Henry Paul: Ronnie Dunn in running shorts
Henry Paul: He has the longest legs
Henry Paul: The race is at the end of Fan Fair - it's only 3.1 miles, not too bad
Betsy: Tell the truth....are you, Dave, and Van going to be out there in your spandex for "Run on the
Row"????
Henry Paul: LOL
Henry Paul: You can tell where Betsy's coming from!
Henry Paul: I will be in the "Joan Jett" outfit!
BVulture: Will BlackHawk's next project be a 5th album or a Greatest Hits?
Henry Paul: We just today discussed that with the label - we think we have enough to put out a
good Greatest Hits
Henry Paul: It's up to the label - we'll see how it goes
Betsy: With all the cover songs being done nowadays (Brooks and Dunn, Ricochet), would you ever consider going back and cutting some of the Outlaws/Henry Paul Band songs like "Cold Harbour," "Heavenly Blues", or "Anytime" for a BlackHawk album?
Henry Paul: Well, where is Betsy from?
Henry Paul: No, I don't think we are and don't know why
Henry Paul: We all come from different backgrounds and are not into "watering" down what we are
doing by dwelling on the past
Henry Paul: no time in the rear view mirror
Henry Paul: I want to focus in what Ronnie Dunn has done with Lovers and Friends, and My Maria.
He has taken a normal day-to-day issues and take it to the country fans
Janis: Henry, Hi--I saw Merle Haggard Saturday night. You share billing with him in June. Since he
is one of your heroes--are you excited?
Henry Paul: ABSOLUTELY. Merle is like the most uncompromising man I have ever met!
Henry Paul: I spent some time with a him on a show. We went to his buses, antique travelers! He looked up and down like I was a Fresh Inmate at the State Pen. He definitely keeps his on what is REALLY happening around.
Very impressed
Henry Paul: I am a HUGE Haggard Fan - he is one of the greatest songwriters of ALL time, he is a
great instrumentalist. He has invented the modern country approach
Henry Paul: he is also the Country historian - ie Bob Wills
Henry Paul: Ranks probably as the consummate historically pertinent country guy
michelleD: henry, what is your favorite song to perform each night, and why??
Henry Paul: His attitude is still in tack. He is a Bad Ass
Henry Paul: I'm just about right is probably my favorite
Henry Paul: It is real and broken down into an acoustic fashion - seems to draw the crowds
Host: "There You Have It" has been very well received, a top 5 hit, and the current single, "Your Own Little Corner Of My Heart" is getting a lot of airplay. All of this bodes well for "The Sky's The Limit." Do you feel you are getting the support from Country Radio that you deserve?
Henry Paul: Are those my shoulders, or is that the back of the couch - Tennessee Titan?
Henry Paul: I don't know who decides "what you deserve", country radio does a pretty good job, the
song is on the play list because it is a little different...
Henry Paul: I would like them (the radio) to take a little more of a chance with the next
Henry Paul: I don't want to sound like I'm kissing up - but as long as we are in the game, we are happy
Henry Paul: Betsy's address?
Henry Paul: Really Cute too! and single! Adorable!
trudy: since both van and yourself have rock and roll backgrounds, and your concerts definitely "rock", do you see yourselves becoming a 'crossover' group?
Henry Paul: NO! No. We will reserve that crossover potential for the females
Henry Paul: The girls are having a great deal of luck with that
LARRY STEPHENSON: Will "Who Am I Now" be released ? It is a great song
Henry Paul: Yes it will from the standpoint from the standpoint that WE thinks
Henry Paul: it is a great potential - my favorite song
Katja: How are your writing projects coming along? Whatever happened to that Children's book you
were writing?
Henry Paul: It's done. I've recently decided to rewrite the last chapter.
Henry Paul: It went to a literary expert in NY - and got some good feedback
Henry Paul: about a man who had a bakery that used to come out to the farm. "Mr. Stubble's Cupcakes" had "dust" on it
Henry Paul: something mom wouldn't let us eat - not what was expected though
Host: BlackHawk has a very distinctive sound. And on your current album, "The Sky's The Limit,"
there seems to be more of an acoustic emphasis. Was that what you wanted when you went into the studio?
Henry Paul: Absolutely
Henry Paul: I think BlackHawk lost itself until Tim DuBouis helps us back
Henry Paul: We were not true to what got us started
Henry Paul: We were missing from the radio format - caused us to relook at ourselves - now we are ok thanks to that
Henry Paul: They got out there a little
Henry Paul: We got out there with Desmond Childs and wrote Hole in my Heart - kinda of a Huey Lewis and radio reacted _where is BlackHawk of old?
Henry Paul: That started us down the road that we went down too far
Henry Paul: there is nothing on the 2nd and 3rd album we are ashamed of
Billihawk: Do you play any other instruments besides the mandolin and guitar?
Henry Paul:I play Bass
michelleD: henry, will there be a new video anytime soon??
Henry Paul: It is a more basic form of guitar playing - it is all I can do to play what I do
Henry Paul: I think so
Henry Paul: I don't know what the next single will be
Henry Paul: I think Arista has taken the view that videos are questionable in the return?
Henry Paul: I think it is a financial call by the label
Henry Paul: It is economics - we are not new, and don't need it as much as the new ones
Henry Paul: Except for "Shania" she of course very successful at averthing
Henry Paul: Look at the Image the Chicks puts out with the video
Henry Paul: Purple hair and and a fiddle! What an image
LARRY STEPHENSON: Is there any way of re-releasing any songs such as "Postmarked
Birmingham"?
Henry Paul: I wish - but I really don't know. Probably not in what the context of BlackHawk
Henry Paul: If Alabama cuts the song, it would be #1
Henry Paul: LOL
Beverlee: Any truth to the rumor you've been asked to join the U.S. Ski Team?
Henry Paul: LOL
Henry Paul: From KJJY, YES there is truth to that
Henry Paul: I'm being brought in to consult on a fashion side
Henry Paul: That is my forte' wear to Kroger
Henry Paul: Merle would not wear one of those spandex suits!
Katja: Henry, who is the one artist out there, in any genre of music, that you would like to do a duet with?
Henry Paul: Allison Krauss, Acoustic - Blue Grass
Henry Paul: She rocks my world musically in every way
Henry Paul: Maybe Shania?
Henry Paul: Remember her Leopard outfit? I don't know if I can live up to that level!!
Stacey: Who is the best golfer in BlackHawk? What's your handicap, Henry?
Henry Paul: I would say, let me give it a moment
Henry Paul: I would say Van is most consistent, Dave has the most athletic presence - I have the best looking golf bag
Henry Paul: I can be the best fashion - to compete with the "houty touty" crowd
Host: Henry you are no stranger to the recording industry. You made a total of 5 albums with The Outlaws. You also had your own group, the Henry Paul Band. You have also had success as a songwriter. What is the most satisfying thing (or things) that has come from your career?
Henry Paul: I think the success of BlackHawk's 1st record and then come back on Arista
Henry Paul: sign with Arista and it go multi platinum
Henry Paul: Our goals then were very meager
Henry Paul: This industry requires a lot of dedication. I am proud of what I have been able to do at my
age now! Very proud of our group
Henry Paul: I was a part of a local bad in Tampa "Outlaws" Southern Rock, Identified w/ Johnny Cash
Henry Paul: It was a three-part harmony group that toured with Marshall Tucker, headlined Madison
Square Garden
Henry Paul: Even opened for the Kentucky Headhunters!
Henry Paul: Those days were different - now everyone tours in the flashy busses and 18 wheeler
Henry Paul: to get ready to an "Outlaws: concert was a different thing that prepping for BlackHawk concerts
Henry Paul: 79-80 was the end of the Country Rock era for use
Henry Paul: Toured with Little Feet, Bonnie Rait
Henry Paul: Hung out at the Trubadore - had a great time!
Henry Paul: We have had a miraculous career - it takes a lot of energy
Henry Paul: no more 4-set nights!!
Billihawk: Hello from Connecticut Henry!! Have you exhausted your supply of cowtails and tootsie roll pops yet?
Henry Paul: OH! I know who that is!!!!!
Henry Paul: I know who Billi is now!
Henry Paul: Yes. We have eaten all of the CowTails
Henry Paul: Tooties Pops we go thru those like crazy
Henry Paul: looking to support the dentist
LARRY STEPHENSON: Does BlackHawk plan to tour with any other groups this year?
Henry Paul: No
Henry Paul: Those tours are set up to enhance the ticket selling
Henry Paul: we are in this four BlackHawk and the fans
Henry Paul: We have a high energy that is hard to follow
Henry Paul: We have been asked not to play with the other children
Jessica: how would you respond if someone were to ask you for a kiss at a meet and greet
Henry Paul: That happens all of the time
Henry Paul: we are generally open to the idea
Henry Paul: a peck on the cheek - NO TOUNGUE! No lips for the most part
Krista: I know you are on the road the majority of the year. How on Earth do you live with, I think it's12 guys on the same bus?
Henry Paul: Yes we are all on one bus
Henry Paul: we have a really good time
Henry Paul: consider what that means
Henry Paul: being in a band is great fun
Henry Paul: we all have a cold beer after the show and share movies after the show
Henry Paul: HAPPY GILMORE and SLINGBLADE are 2 of the favorites
Henry Paul: they are all 1st rate characters and are proud that we all stay together
Henry Paul: we are a band! Not A singer and some back-up singers
katy: How is Van feeling, I heard he was ill.
Henry Paul: I can't stand the "that's MY guitarist" he is the Guitarist
Henry Paul: He's doing better
Henry Paul: He came down with Melanoma - found it, caught it, cured it, and he is recovering
Henry Paul: we are very thankful, HE is very thankful
Janis: Monte can't remember if you had a particular person in mind when you wrote "There's a
Rising Star In The Southern Sky"-- was it written with anyone in mind?
Henry Paul: WOW!
Henry Paul: Janice
Henry Paul: Yes
Henry Paul: it was
Henry Paul: I guess it was sorta written as an anonymous - BTW on of my favorite songs - Johnny
Rebel Guitar Hero
Henry Paul: Metaphor - rising star in a southern rock bank
Henry Paul: glad she asked the question, one of my most favorite songs!!!
Host: BlackHawk is involved in several charitable projects. I saw that you are the National
Spokespersons for Second Harvest - America's Food Bank. Would you tell us about that?
Henry Paul: Second Harvest Food Bank - Tim DuBoise was an early supporter and asked us to get
involved
Henry Paul: We discovered it is a very dignified method to assist others while allowing them to keep
their pride and dignity
Henry Paul: no sacrifice of dignity to feed the family
Henry Paul: Buy the album to get the address
Henry Paul: kidding!!
Henry Paul: Let me add one more thing for the Food Bank
Henry Paul: This is a Federally Subsidized program
Henry Paul: It is a BIG deal and incredibly well run
michelleD: henry, congrats to you and the guys on the TNN music city news award nomination! are
you looking forward to attending the awards show? will you be performing?
Henry Paul: we haven't been apprised of any opportunity to perform
Henry Paul: chance to wear our good clothes, church clothes
Henry Paul: it's fun to see your friends and cut up and have fun!
Henry Paul: I remember when we first started goin, got to meet Johnny Cash, Buc Owens
Henry Paul: What a trip! To meet
Henry Paul: we are presenting an award!
Henry Paul: Got to meet Gene Autry
Henry Paul: Betsy is 4'10, looks like she is 14
Henry Paul: She is moving down
Henry Paul: to Nashville
LARRY STEPHENSON: How did BlackHawk get to be on the Donnie and Marie Show?
Henry Paul: I think Dave is personal friends with The Osmond Brothers!
Henry Paul: We things as we are set up by publicists
Henry Paul: Marie is gorgeous!
Henry Paul: the Duet w/ Dan Seals! He is awesome! Great singer
BVulture: The song "Big Guitar" was written by Henry Gross, and yourself, had you two ever worked
on any projects previous to that song?
Henry Paul: no... well, we worked on a project before the song
Henry Paul: Just before we got together as the group BlackHawk, Henry Gross, myself and Jonathan Edwards, the three of us had a trio called the Vereens. And we were of course named after Ben Vereen the entertainer, dancer, singer... Ben did it all. We sort of fancied our self as entertainers along the same cut of cloth.... Not really. No one can live up to Ben's prowess and professionalism in the entertainment business. At any rate it was a sensational trio vocally. Jonathan Edwards is one of my all time favorite singers. Henry Gross is an incredible singer. I was window dressing. I could sing, I sang the low harmony. Jonathon was the hockey coach and the lead singer. Henry sang the high harmony. It was sensational. And I think you can find a Vereens record on the Internet if people want, I'll give them a web site at one point in the not to distant future. I swear that you that this is not just bull. These records are sensational. It's a 16 song collection, it was 90-91.
Beverlee: Henry, would you ever have Plastic Surgery if you started to look really old?
Henry Paul: LOL
Henry Paul: yes
Henry Paul: but, where I'd start and where I finish is probably a question.......
Host: I took a peek at your tour schedule. You will be in Macon, GA tomorrow night, the 22nd. After that there are 60 more dates until the last date, November 20th, in Scottsdale, AZ. What's the best thing about touring like that?
And the worst?
Henry Paul: the long bus rides are the worst
Henry Paul: the long bus ride will turn you into an animal
Henry Paul: the good part is you get to play the show every night
Henry Paul: we play a very physical presentation - we are very proud of tha
Henry Paul: that is why we are hear
Henry Paul: I have been doing this all of my life, I keep doing this because I love it
Henry Paul: there is really not a lot of room for gags, there is fun
Henry Paul: the band members all have alter personality
Henry Paul: very witty
Henry Paul: Glad to be with you
Henry Paul: Thanks so much - a pleasure to be hear!
Host: Thank you all for coming.