BL: Yeah, yeah, he did some nice work on that as well. I was just very fortunate because I don’t record away from L.A. a lot, but I was fortunate to be able to find guys between here and Dallas that could really give me what I needed.
Smitty: And, you know, Joe is an icon in Dallas.
BL: Yeah, that’s what I hear, man.
Smitty: (Laughs.) Yes, sir, and rightly so. What a sax cat.
BL: Yeah, he’s just really great, man, and in fact, I think I heard him on a Pieces of a Dream record.
Smitty: Really? Joe gets around.
BL: I just had my engineer playing me different people that he knew and I said “That guy right there. I want that one.”
Smitty: And what great work by Wayne DeLano on “Minute By Minute.” You’ve got some Texas heat on this record.
BL: Yeah, yeah, since my normal Texas guys are all kinda dispersed. Kirk is in Nashville and Everette Harp’s in L.A. and I just used the Texas ones that I could still find here.
Smitty: Yeah, it’s very convenient and these cats have a lot of class, they’re great players with some serious skills and it complements your record very well.
BL: Well, thank you very much, man. I was proud of everybody’s energy and commitment to the project.
Smitty: Yes, and let’s not forget Todd Parsnow, he’s great. What a guitarist.
BL: Yeah, he was a real surprise for me. His ability to just go from track to track and give it the right feel. I love what he did on the closing tune (“Beth”).
Smitty: Yeah, yep, and that’s a nice song too.
BL: It’s a tribute to my lady, Beth.
Smitty: Oh yeah. (Laughs.)
BL: And wow, he laid that out. His acoustic work was incredible.
Smitty: Yes, and I can’t forget another fellow Texan, Mr. John Adams.
BL: Oh yeah, bass player, right?
Smitty: Yeah, absolutely, man. What a great cat. Been knowing John for a long time.
BL: Yeah. Are you originally from Dallas?
Smitty: No, I’m originally from St. Louis, but I keep up with my Texas musicians. (Laughs.)
BL: Oh, okay. Did you spend any time over there?
Smitty: I’ve spent a lotta time in Dallas. (Laughs.) I get in there whenever I get an opportunity.
BL: Okay, because you seem very well versed with the local talent there, so that’s why I was asking.
Smitty: Yeah. Well, Joe McBride and I used to hang out a lot when he lived in Dallas. I also have some close friends and relatives there. Say, I want to mention how much I love the artwork on this album as well. I see you’ve got your Sunday best on and then you kinda broke it down a little bit, and I recognize this scene with you at the piano, the acoustic piano. Where were you?
BL: This was taken in Dallas, it was in the lobby of one of the concert halls there, I believe.
Smitty: It looks a lot like the Bass Hall?
BL: It could be. You could be right. I just can’t remember.
Smitty: Great photography work too.
BL: The photographer’s name was Mike Itashiki. He did a very nice job, though. I said “Thank you for making an old man look good.” (Both laughing.)
Smitty: Absolutely, but it’s great photography work. Now, is the acoustic piano your first love of instruments?
BL: Oh, absolutely.
Smitty: I thought so. (Laughs.)
BL: Oh yeah.
Smitty: Well, you’ve mastered it quite well, my friend.
