Hey, John. It was great finally meeting you at Meeting of the Minds… Thanks for the invitation to come see you at Hogfish Bar & Grille (Stock island, just outside of Key West) - My wife and kids and I all really enjoyed your set. And you were definitely right, the food was great!
It was great meeting you, too. Glad you enjoyed it.
Let’s start with a question I often ask when I’m interviewing an artist – because I think it’s important for people to know how and where you started….Who were some of your earliest musical influences?
I grew up inNew Orleans
in the city so I was exposed to a myriad of musical styles and genres at
an early age. My first instrument was trumpet and I listened to Al Hirt
and Maynard Ferguson. Subsequently, I picked up the acoustic guitar and I
was enthralled with Jim Croce, James Taylor, David Gates,America
Eagles.
I grew up in
in the city so I was exposed to a myriad of musical styles and genres at
an early age. My first instrument was trumpet and I listened to Al Hirt
and Maynard Ferguson. Subsequently, I picked up the acoustic guitar and I
was enthralled with Jim Croce, James Taylor, David Gates,
Eagles.
Like your first car and your first kiss…every guitar player remembers their first guitar. Tell me about yours…
My first guitar was a 1972, Cherry red, Gibson ES-335. My mother bought
it for me. I just remember that it was a beautiful axe. Unfortunately,
it was stolen that same summer. These days, the corral includes three
newest acquisition, a Martin SWOMGT-E. Additionally, I’m babysitting my
friend’s 1960 Gibson ES-330.
How much time do you spend on the road now?
In the past few years, it has been well over six months of the year.
However, I’m scaling it back… a little.
In the past few years, it has been well over six months of the year.
However, I’m scaling it back… a little.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not on the road….
Quite frankly, I’m a homebody when I’m not touring. I rarely stray far
from my porch except to take the sailboat (Contessa 26) out onMobile Bay
which is one of my favorite pastimes. We love to entertain friends and
family with good food and beverage…. and of course, music.
What about bars in your backyard; When you’re not touring and playing,
what are your favorite home town hang outs - where would we find John Reno
on a day off and what would he be drinking?
I like to have a few cold ones at Fly Creek Café. It’s at the marina less
than a mile from my home and roughly 150 steps from the boat slip where we
keep the Contessa. Insofar as my beverage choice, it depends on the
weather. In the colder months, I like Lazy Magnolia Brewery’s Southern
Pecan on tap or an IPA and in warm weather, I prefer something lighter.
Then again, when we’re home…usually manning the grill, we delve into
various merlots, cabs and pinots.
What's your take on the term "Trop Rock" - do you see it as helpful or hindering?
Quite frankly, I’m a homebody when I’m not touring. I rarely stray far
from my porch except to take the sailboat (Contessa 26) out on
which is one of my favorite pastimes. We love to entertain friends and
family with good food and beverage…. and of course, music.
What about bars in your backyard; When you’re not touring and playing,
what are your favorite home town hang outs - where would we find John Reno
on a day off and what would he be drinking?
I like to have a few cold ones at Fly Creek Café. It’s at the marina less
than a mile from my home and roughly 150 steps from the boat slip where we
keep the Contessa. Insofar as my beverage choice, it depends on the
weather. In the colder months, I like Lazy Magnolia Brewery’s Southern
Pecan on tap or an IPA and in warm weather, I prefer something lighter.
Then again, when we’re home…usually manning the grill, we delve into
various merlots, cabs and pinots.
What's your take on the term "Trop Rock" - do you see it as helpful or hindering?
Good question. I agree with you in that it is a descriptive term for a
music/songwriting style. It’s attractive in that it centers around a
lifestyle that many live and/or aspire to, and in general, it’s “feel
good” music. That said, it can pigeonhole an performer. I think that it is important to recognize that the term has come a long way in a relatively short period of time, thanks in great part to the efforts of Tom and Michelle Becker. Their founding of the Margarita Mafia
(and subsequently, the Trop Rock Music Alliance) has not only helped
musicians promote their music, but a burgeoning cottage industry as well.
From internet radio stations, various t-shirt logos, e-magazines, to house
concert venues, etc.
How do you feel about House Concerts? Do you do many?
Actually, I seem to recall that Kelly (McGuire) had a great line that referred to
the audience as “ticketed, seated and listening.” He certainly nailed it.
I love playing house concerts and I do quite a few of them. In fact,
it’s my favorite venue to perform aside from theaters.
Do you have a couple of your songs that stand out for any particular reasons?
Let’s see… "Labrador Logic" because I loved and miss my dog. Also so many
other dog lovers have told me how much this song means to them.
"My Little O’Day" because it captured a perfect day on the water.
"Hopeless Romantics" because it’s introspective.
"Big Ol’ Johnson" and "Blame It On The Jello Sho"t because they make so many
people laugh.
You've got something very exciting coming in the New Year. You and your friend, guitarist Eric Ellis, will be performing the music of Jim Croce. Is it a "tribute show", with you guys actually sounding like Jim Croce - or will they hear John Reno doing some of his favorite Croce songs?
Well, to be clear, we're not impersonators. We're approaching this the
way that Jim performed the majority of his concerts...as a duo. Our goal
is to accurately and faithfully recreate the sound of Jim and his
side-man, Maury Muehleisen, live in concert.
You're obviously a big fan of the late singer/songwriter...Do you remember
how/when you first time you heard his music - and what is it about his
music that inspires you, that made you want to do a tribute?
I remember having several of his eight-track tapes (does that give you a
clue as to the year?) and listening to them incessantly. Jim had a way a
painting a picture with his lyrics that few other songwriters did, or
still do for that matter, and the combination of his and Maury's guitar
work is truly unique. I've heard a plethora of guys playing Jim's music,
however, very few actually do justice to the guitar work.
how/when you first time you heard his music - and what is it about his
music that inspires you, that made you want to do a tribute?
I remember having several of his eight-track tapes (does that give you a
clue as to the year?) and listening to them incessantly. Jim had a way a
painting a picture with his lyrics that few other songwriters did, or
still do for that matter, and the combination of his and Maury's guitar
work is truly unique. I've heard a plethora of guys playing Jim's music,
however, very few actually do justice to the guitar work.
You were telling me that Croce's music is not easy to play. What have you found to be the biggest challenges involved in learning it?
Well, again, that would be the guitar parts. Some of the tunes are
relatively easy strumming patterns and chords. Others, however, require a
note-for-note fingerstyle and lead that cannot be deviated from which are
not the easiest when coupled with the vocal parts.
Tell me more about Eric Ellis.
Eric is a great guy and a fabulous player and we work very well together.
I was very fortunate that he was at a place in his career where he felt
that he needed a change. Timing is everything.
What are your plans for the project and how do you see working it into your
already busy Trop rock schedule?
We've got several theater and corporate dates booked for 2013 in addition
to quite a few house concerts.This will be the direction that we will
pursue. You can check out JimCroceTribute.com and Facebook.com/JimCroceTribute for more info and dates.
Well, again, that would be the guitar parts. Some of the tunes are
relatively easy strumming patterns and chords. Others, however, require a
note-for-note fingerstyle and lead that cannot be deviated from which are
not the easiest when coupled with the vocal parts.
Tell me more about Eric Ellis.
Eric is a great guy and a fabulous player and we work very well together.
I was very fortunate that he was at a place in his career where he felt
that he needed a change. Timing is everything.
What are your plans for the project and how do you see working it into your
already busy Trop rock schedule?
We've got several theater and corporate dates booked for 2013 in addition
to quite a few house concerts.This will be the direction that we will
pursue. You can check out JimCroceTribute.com and Facebook.com/JimCroceTribute for more info and dates.
Anything else you would like people to know about John Reno?
Absolutely! Most notably, I recently married a beautiful woman who has
shown me how to love again. She is my soul mate, my confidant and my best
friend. Her name is Donna and you’ll find her, more often than not, right
by my side.
