"I think the biggest thing I miss is the way radio approached new music. Many stations were owned locally, so their favorite bands from the area plus get airplay and make a living playing original music. My hope is that the younger players see the beauty of keeping the music real. By that I mean not relying on technology more than talent. My biggest fear is the other end of that spectrum!!!"

Danny Liston: Blue Eyes Soul Music

Singer, guitarist, and songwriter Danny Liston grew up in Missouri, joining his first band, Soulful Illusions, as a drummer when he was only 14 years old. While in high school, he joined the Belltones as a guitarist. Later he joined his brother, Pat Liston, in forming Mama’s Pride. Mama’s Pride worked the Southern rock circuit along with bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Wet Willie, eventually signing with Atlantic Records and releasing several albums. The rock & roll lifestyle overtook Liston, returned to music after many years with a new spiritual platform in place and began recording an album at famed Ardent Studios in Memphis with producer Jim Gaines in 2007. The project, which combined Liston's rock and blues roots with praise & worship themes, was released a year later in 2008 as No Other Name. Danny Liston’s new album “Everybody” (2023), produced and mixed by Jim Gaines at Bessie Blue Studios, released on Blue House Records.                          (Danny Liston / Photo © by Todd Morgan, Back Beat Photography)

Everybody, is a ten-track collection of original material in the style that got him “Almost Famous” that aims at more depth than the purely good times’ music of the 70’ s and 80’s. Liston is joined by the rhythm section of Davy Smith on bass and drummer Steve Potts and Will McFarlane on guitar. Mark Narmore and Rick Steff handle the main keyboards with Cory Edwards, Bob Lohr and Michael O’Hara adding extra touches. The horn section of Alan Branstetter on trumpet, Brad Guin and Buddy Leach (George Thorogood) on saxophones give the tracks extra power along with special guest vocalist Bekka Bramlett. The recording is produced by his long-time collaborator and friend, Jim Gaines, to deliver an album that feels like a genuine family affair. Danny Liston is a survivor of wounds both insidious and self-inflicted, who might have ended up as one of rock's many casualties, if it had not been for faith and family to become a musical force for good.

Interview by Michael Limnios

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

The beauty of Music is that it doesn't have to shape your view in one specific direction. I've been emotionally moved by music from Africa to Ireland singing about their struggles, and then moved in a different way by the protest songs of the 60's. What it all has taught me is the amazing communicator that music is, and it's my way of speaking for the Everyman, who may not have a platform but feels I speak his...

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

It's really hard for me describe my sound. When I first called Jim Gaines (the producer) about this record he said I needed to do a Blue Eyes Soul record, and to be honest I wasn't truly clear what he meant. (laughs) My music philosophy is to try and leave people better than they were. I also want to make people smile, so I try to always include a song or two that hopefully make them laugh because they can relate. My creativity comes from so many places. Literally. There's no one thing that sparks me. Many times, it's unexpected, thank God for the voice recorder on my phone. There’re probably 150 ideas on there currently...

What moment changed your life the most? Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you?

Off the top of my head is have to say meeting and being signed personally by Ahmet Ertugan (the founder of Atlantic Records) was one. I kept calling him Abdul, and every time my manager would correct me. Finally he told my manager, "hey, it's cool, Otis Redding used to call me omelet!!" (laughs) then probably Ronnie Van Zant. We had a strange relationship with him because our manager at the time used to manage Skynyrd. We finally open for them in Springfield and Ronnie was interested in producing us. We talked before the show, and he said let's see what you got. Show went great and he said afterwards in the dressing room that he was "IN". He's produced our 3rd album and them we'd pick up the second leg of the Street Survivors tour. A few months later their plane went down, and a few weeks later the label dropped us. At the time we were obviously devastated, but in the long game my life has been abundantly blessed.

"I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to speak the truth, not my truth, not your truth, but what I know to be absolutely true. Because some people use that phrase to create division and the truth is we can disagree, without hating each other. I'm not a fan of artist that create chaos, because it benefits no one. The title track of my new disk is how I truly feel a" Everybody Needs Somebody Else We DO need each other, otherwise it's all chaos." (Danny Liston / Photo © by Kenny Williamson, RKNPHOTO)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

When we did our first Mama's Pride album, we did it at Criteria Studios in Miami. We stayed at the famous 461 Ocean Boulevard mansion. We were being produced by Arif Mardin, Average White Band, Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, etc. but one day we were recording and in walks Eric Clapton, next day Joe Walsh, then members of Average White Band, we were dumb founded. We were just 6 kids from south St. Louis from working class families, this was all to surreal.

As far as gigs, I would say that opening up a couple of shows for Ringo Starr and his All Star band. It was Ringo (which would have sufficed) but also Joe Walsh, Todd Rudgren, Burton Cummings (Guess Who) Timothy B. Schmidt (Eagles). They wanted us to do a European tour but by this time we had all got the dreaded "Day Gig" (laughs). That was in 92'

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

I think the biggest thing I miss is the way radio approached new music. Many stations were owned locally, so their favorite bands from the area plus get airplay and make a living playing original music.

My hope is that the younger players see the beauty of keeping the music real. By that I mean not relying on technology more than talent. My biggest fear is the other end of that spectrum!!!

Why do you think that the Mama's Pride music continues to generate such a devoted following?

You know I'm not really sure, why that's happened!! (laughs) I can say that I'm extremely grateful. Is like to think that good songs are just that, and people never get tired of good music. I also think that for some in an older demographic, some of our songs were like the soundtrack to their youth.

"The beauty of Music is that it doesn't have to shape your view in one specific direction. I've been emotionally moved by music from Africa to Ireland singing about their struggles, and then moved in a different way by the protest songs of the 60's. What it all has taught me is the amazing communicator that music is, and it's my way of speaking for the Everyman, who may not have a platform but feels I speak his..." (Photo: Mama's Pride, an rock band formed in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1972)

What were the reasons that St. Louis, MO was the center of Blues & Rock n Roll research and experiments?

I think what made St. Louis special is that it was about halfway between Chicago and New Orleans. Like My family on my mom’s side came up for Mississippi. So, it was a melting pot of genres.

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

I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to speak the truth, not my truth, not your truth, but what I know to be absolutely true. Because some people use that phrase to create division and the truth is we can disagree, without hating each other.

I'm not a fan of artist that create chaos, because it benefits no one. The title track ("Everybody") of my new disk is how I truly feel a Everybody Needs Somebody Else We DO need each other, otherwise it's all chaos.

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

I have been fortunate enough to do things that many of my friends only talk about. Played stages that some never get to even visit. But most importantly through all of my successes, and failures I've learned the value of being grateful. That's what sustains me!!

Danny Liston Music - Home

(Danny Liston / Photo © by Rhonda Pierce)