Interview with Tim Terry


Q: Please tell me more about yourself, your musical background and the artists that have influenced you.

Tim Terry: I grew up playing the organ in church and I've been doing that since I was 3. My influences are the legends of soul music such as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Issac Hayes, Prince, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Willie Hutch, The Isley Brothers, Otis Redding and the Stax and Motown sounds of the 70's.

Q: How would you describe your music to someone who haven't heard your songs yet?

Tim Terry: I would say that my music is definitely something grown folks would dig because it would remind them of true music. I think everyone will be able to relate somehow to the stories that I'm singing about.

Q: You've produced your album The Tim Terry Experience together with Angelo Earl. How did you hook up with him?

Tim Terry: Angelo and I were in a group called Day1 back in 99 and the relationship was formed then. I moved to California and when I moved back to Memphis I looked him up and everything else is as they say history.

Q: Though you've recorded your songs in Memphis/TN, the final mixes of the album took place at the Paisley Park studios, Minneapolis. Why didn't you finished the whole record in Memphis?

Tim Terry: An opportunity came up where I could mix at Paisley Park. I mean is that a hard one to think about. The opportunity to perhaps work with a legend, a musical icon, one of my musical influences, Prince??? I couldn't believe it but it was fantastic. To be inside of Paisley Park was like be in a candy shop. Everything a musician could ever want was there.

Q: Which songs on your album are your favourites and why?

Tim Terry: All of them are an extention of me so it's hard to pick.

Q: Your album is available for some time now. How pleased are you with the reaction it has got so far?

Tim Terry: I'm very excited with the response especially overseas. To have people in Japan, Beijing/China, Germany, the UK digging my music is blowing my mind. It's such a humbling experience to give so much of yourself and to have people react to your music, either positively or negatively, is beautiful.

Q: What do you think of the music scene in Memphis in general and compared to other towns that are now famous for their (soul) music scenen like Philly or Atlanta?

Tim Terry: The music scene here is unlike no other. It's comparable to the 70's. While Motown had it's sound in Detroit and Gamble & Huff had the Philly sound going, no one could capture the raw, gritty sound of Stax and Hi Records. No one else sounded like Al Green and the sound coming from Memphis and that's how it is now.

Q: What can we expect from Tim Terry in the future?

Tim Terry: More great music from my heart. Much love everybody!


For more infos visit soulstreetrecords.com, cdbaby.com and read my review of The Tim Terry Experience.