I'm not the kind of guy who deserves to play a vintage guitar because I'm too rough on instruments.
Tommy ShawI was born in Alabama and my first live music experiences were in church. Every Sunday we watched regional gospel groups on television singing their hearts out
Tommy ShawIt was more fun trying to figure out I Want To Hold Your Hand than to take lessons. By this time I knew basic chords
Tommy ShawWe were playing popular music, but we were doing our own arrangements because we were too lazy to sit down and figure out the originals
Tommy ShawIf I have an idea, I write it down, although I usually carry a little dictation machine with me because I'm too lazy to write
Tommy ShawBy the time I did that third solo album, I'd finally learned how to do it, but I'd also learned that I liked being in a band
Tommy ShawOn acoustic guitar I tend to stay in the key of D for some reason. On electric guitar I keep basic: C, G, D, and A. The key of D minor is also real good for me.
Tommy ShawAround '75 when the recession hit, club owners started going to disco because it was cheaper for them to just buy a sound system than it was to hire a band.
Tommy ShawAs a solo artist, I just felt cemented in front of the mike stand. There was very little time to play with the audience and be a band member
Tommy ShawWhen a song gets its legs and begins to come to me, this is the euphoric hook that keeps me wanting to continue.
Tommy ShawI love the idea of stepping out of the band situation into a solo world with no boundaries, no expectations, where nothing is out of bounds.
Tommy ShawWhen you sign with a label, they do insist upon certain rights, and if you have a competent attorney, your rights will be protected.
Tommy ShawWhen I was a kid, I liked the newer music that was coming out. I have never really felt confined by any style of music. I would play in bands that were soul bands or that played standards - any kind of music that I enjoyed playing.
Tommy ShawI never did heroin, because I thought that meant I was doing heavy drugs, which shows you the insanity of doing drugs. I probably should have done heroin, because I understand heroin actually makes you feel good. Cocaine just makes you stupid.
Tommy ShawI remember my first moment onstage was at a 4-H contest at the Pratville Junior High School cafeteria auditorium around 1965. I had my first electric, a Silvertone with the amp built into the case, and I won first prize.
Tommy ShawI like being on the road, living in hotels. While I've got a real nice house, I go crazy when I'm there.
Tommy ShawWhen I was about 3, my grandfather used to give me and my sister a nickel to sit out on the front porch with him and sing songs.
Tommy Shaw