"Music is potentially the most powerful influence on earth if harnessed and focused in the right direction. Music changes minds. Music makes humans reach for their better selves. It can cause peace and understanding. It can literally change the world."

Danny Tate: American Songwriter

Danny Tate is an award-winning American musician, songwriter, composer, producer, and former Virgin Records recording artist, best known for penning songs covered by Jeff Healey, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tim McGraw, The Oak Ridge Boys, David Lee Murphy, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Patti LaBelle, Carla Olson, Danny Wilde and many others. Most notably, Tate won the NSAI Rock Song of the Year award for 1998, 1999 and 2000. He released three solo albums, Danny Tate Charisma/Virgin (1992), Nobody's Perfect Charisma/Virgin (1995), and Destination X Noville Records (2005), and continued his career writing songs, composing for television shows, and contributing to the film soundtracks. Danny Tate was born in Beaumont, Texas. At 6 years old, Tate's family moved to Camden, Arkansas where his father, a music minister, accepted a position at a new church. There, he spent his formative years absorbing the musical and religious influences of a classic small town setting. In 1974, Tate left home to attend college, where he studied under the renowned composer and conductor, William Francis McBeth. Tate graduated Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and is a member of Mensa. Touring continuously on a grueling schedule, Tate performed a combination of popular radio hits, his own songs, and told stories in a one-man show designed for High School students.                                (Photo: Danny Tate)

Tate moved to Nashville with intentions of making a name for himself in the music industry. His big break came when a friend cornered Rick Springfield in a club restroom and handed him a cassette tape of Tate's song "Affair of the Heart." Tate wrote off the exchange as an impossible probability until he received a phone call from Springfield's manager, who requested the use of the song. Affair of the Heart peaked at #9 on Billboard charts, the album Living in Oz sold multi-platinum, and the song was nominated for a Grammy (losing to Michael Jackson's "Beat it"). Riding on his success, Tate moved to Los Angeles where he felt his talents would be more profitable as a pop/rock songwriter. He then embarked on a solo career releasing Danny Tate (1992), Nobody’s Perfect (1995), and Destination X (2005).

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Being a creative person has given me a mind with a world view.

I knew at 13 that music would be my profession. There was no one specific moment that changed my musical life, but there have been many moments along the way that have had profound influence. Typically hearing something on the radio.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist/songwriter since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I strive to keep my mind young and creative. I continue to push myself to grow musically.

The self-discipline required of a songwriter has remained the same.

Where does your creative drive come from? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your songs/music?

My creative drive comes from within. I have developed certain techniques that keep my mind creative. Today, I stay in a creative state able to create at any moment.

"I miss analog, 2 inch tape, 16 tracks, real instruments, blues influence on rock. AI concerns me greatly. Spotify has gone a long way in putting songwriters out of business. I’m afraid the future will reward creative piracy. It already has." (Danny Tate / Photo by John-Halpern)

With such an illustrious career, what has given you the most satisfaction musically? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Hearing a song I’ve written on the radio, or on TV, or in a movie, are those moments when a songwriter quietly enjoys the fruits of his labor. Knowing there are others listening and enjoying it. Walking into a bar in the middle of nowhere Australia, I watched a person walk up to the juke box, put in her money and play a song I wrote. The entire bar sang along. I was a stranger to all. I stood in the corner watching this special personal moment.

The artists I’ve had the chance to collaborate with are the highlights of my career. I’ve had the chance to work with legends. I’ve worked with many of my influences and personal heroes. I’ve lived the dream

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss analog, 2 inch tape, 16 tracks, real instruments, blues influence on rock.

AI concerns me greatly. Spotify has gone a long way in putting songwriters out of business. I’m afraid the future will reward creative piracy. It already has.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music and lyrics to affect people?

Music is potentially the most powerful influence on earth if harnessed and focused in the right direction. Music changes minds. Music makes humans reach for their better selves. It can cause peace and understanding. It can literally change the world.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?                            (Danny Tate / Photo by Kurt Markus)

As an artist I had to learn the hard way to determine my artistic direction.

Starting out I didn’t know I needed a direction. I didn’t know I needed to project an identity. I didn’t know I needed a “musical direction”. I discovered it’s my unique point of view, both lyrically and musically, that makes me an artist. People say the music business is very competitive. Well, it is if you let it be. But once you start competing with your competition you’ve lost the game already. It’s when you discover your own unique qualities that no one can compete with that you find the magic and success. I stopped competing a long time ago. There are too many talented people who can play and sing better than me. But there’s no one else in the entire world who can play and sing like me.

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

Music is my life. I went all in. I have no other skills.

I wish I had been more knowledgeable to the business side of the music industry. I grew up in an era where musicians were expected to be ignorant to the business. We were kept in the dark by design. I’ve learned a lot the hard way.