“think music carries with it some real thought-provoking power. Don’t want to think music only preaches to the choir, but even so, we creatives will continue to speak our minds through our music. If that influences anyone in a positive way or helps them to connect with their own feelings and expression, great!”

Vince Santoro: Music City’s Mission

Roots rock/Americana drummer, singer, spoken word artist and songwriter, Vince Santoro steps out of the sidelines and into the spotlight with his first solo album, EXPOSED (June 6, 2025). The acclaimed sideman is excited to reveal his own “voice” after 50 years of supporting the creative voices of so many gifted artists. EXPOSED is a collection of nine original songs (“What’s That Like” is co-written with his wife Barbara Santoro) that reflects Vince Santoro's social observations and personal reminiscences. Produced by guitar great George Marinelli, Santoro is joined in the studio by Marinelli, Barbara Santoro, Benny Harrison, Jim Hoke, and Jonell Mosser. Seasoned sideman Vince Santoro has had a remarkable 50 year career performing, recording and touring the world with a wide variety of amazing musicians and artists. As a singing drummer, he came to the attention of some national acts who appreciated his flamboyant style and dynamic performing persona. In 1974, he joined forces with Kathi McDonald, and he toured and recorded for a few years. From there he moved on to working with guitar legend Roy Buchanan, and then did a stint with Edgar Winter. Through his early friendship with guitarist Steuart Smith, he was introduced to the Nashville connection and began to work extensively with Rodney, Rosanne, Emmy Lou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Highwaymen, and The Cicadas.                                           (Photo: Vince Santoro)

Vince Santoro has been writing songs since his high school years in the Virginia suburbs. But it wasn’t until he began working with songwriter/poet Rodney Crowell that he realized he wanted to dig deeper, connect more honestly and authentically with his own “voice.” He unconsciously absorbed so much from being around superb songwriters like Rodney, Rosanne, Mary Chapin Carpenter and all of the Highwaymen that he felt emboldened to continue in this pursuit. Rodney told him that he always kept two notebooks - one for uncensored blurting and the other for selective, focused crafting. This has turned out to be an invaluable suggestion, advice Santoro is still following.

Interview by Michael Limnios       Special Thanks: Karen Leipziger/KL Productions

How has the music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I’d say my views of the world and the journeys I’ve taken are what has influenced my music. Unless I misunderstood the Q, it is precisely places I’ve been to and seen how others live and love. It’s having had my antennae up and being aware of the mosaic that humanity is and then finding my place in it.

How do you describe your sound, songbook, and music philosophy? What musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

My sound can probably be determined by both my musical upbringing and my vocal abilities/limitations. They vibrate sympathetically according to my overall mantra, which is, “Does it make me feel anything?” My many influences fall under a couple categories…artists I listened to during my most developmental years (Beatles, Stones, Hendrix). Another is the amazing artists I’ve performed with and hung out with (Rodney Crowell, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter, Edgar Winter, The Highwaymen)

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

My growth as an artist has had a governor on its engine until recently. The pandemic gave me a green light to commit to a deeper involvement in creativity and craft. Now it is a daily practice. The part that has remained the same is a childlike love for making something out of no more than a germ of an idea, and knowing that playing/singing it gets my blood going.

”My fears are that young writers/musicians will find it less and less gratifying to get their music heard due to the glut they see and hear already out there. I want to say, “The more the merrier” but that can be daunting to newbies.” (Photo: Vince Santoro, drummer, singer, spoken word artist and songwriter)

Are there any memories from Roy Buchanan, Edgar Winter, and the Highwaymen which you’d like to share with us?

There are so many over the last fifty years - it's truly difficult to pick out and remember! Roy’s music may have been rowdy but he was actually a very subdued person in daily life. He often rode up front with our driver while the bassist, Carey, and I sat in the backseat. On one drive while Carey and I were giggling and telling jokes Roy asked the driver to pull over and traded seats with me to “split us up” like unruly kids!

Edgar Winter, on the other hand, loved to prod us into mischief! The Highwaymen were collectively and individually great to pay attention to as each one of them would spill some southern-fried bon mot at the drop of a hat. You had to keep your ears perked up.

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

What I miss isn’t much because there’s so much new stuff that is engaging. But the speed at which a record could go from the tape to the radio has changed dramatically… I miss that. AI will probably be a boon to marketing but a sad development for creativity.

My fears are that young writers/musicians will find it less and less gratifying to get their music heard due to the glut they see and hear already out there. I want to say, “The more the merrier” but that can be daunting to newbies.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

What you create, either writing and/or playing, is gonna garner praise and pans - do it for your own pleasure/fulfilment and you’ll most likely succeed at that!

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

I think music carries with it some real thought-provoking power. Don’t want to think music only preaches to the choir, but even so, we creatives will continue to speak our minds through our music. If that influences anyone in a positive way or helps them to connect with their own feelings and expression, great!

Vince Santoro - Home

(Photo: Vince Santoro)