KGSR FM - Radio Austin

Q: This is Jody. And it is a great pleasure this afternoon to welcome to our studios members of the Farm Dogs. In fact, this is the first live performance in the new KGSR studios. The Farm Dogs’ new album will be out February 3rd. It’s going to be called Immigrant Sons. And with us, Robin LeMesurier on guitar, Jim Cregan on guitar and vocals and Bernie Taupin on vocals. And we’re going to have plenty of time to talk, but right now we’re going to hear a song live from the forthcoming album by the Farmdogs on 107.1, KGSR.

“Daria”

Q:Thank you, gentlemen. 107.1, KGSR, live in studio, Farm Dogs. And that was "Daria." The album Immigrant Sons is going to be out on February 3rd. And in the Farm Dogs, we have Jim Cregan and Robin LeMesurier, who played with Rod Stewart for many years. And on lead vocals and lyrics, Mr. Bernie Taupin. Now, Bernie, you and Jim, you guys go way, way, way back, right?
A: BERNIE: Way, way, way, way, back.
JIM: Just before the flood.
BERNIE: Yeah, no, we go back to like the early ’70. Jim used to be in a band called Family, which were a big, you know, band in England back then. And they supported Elton on one of the original, sort of, American tours. And Jim always used to manage to find me backstage, because he knew I was the only one that had the bottle. So --
JIM: Oh, used to have to wrestle you to the floor to get it off you.
BERNIE: So we found a kindred spirit in each other.
JIM: Jack (Daniels).
BERNIE: Using -- spirit being the operative word. And being that Robin was of the same --
ROBIN: Ilk.
BERNIE: Ilk. Ilk is a good word. Yeah, you know, Robin was playing with Rod. And so through the combination of everybody -- you know, it’s -- rock and roll is a fairly incestuous family type kind of thing. So we all sort of just got to know each other over those years. And although we never sort of worked together -- although Jim and I did do some work together at one point and realized we didn’t really like each other so we didn’t do anymore for a while.
JIM: You liked me, that’s how it was. I remember.
BERNIE: But eventually, it all came around and we all ended up working together. And it’s a great pleasure.

Q:And the new album is actually the second Farm Dogs record?
A: BERNIE: Yeah, first album came out about two years ago. It’s called I Stand in Open Country. And this is a natural progression from that record. That record was much -- a little bit more acoustic driven than this record is. Not as fleshed out as this one is. But like I say, you know, it’s like any band that starts out, you know, you discover yourself. You figure out what you’re all about. You share your roots together and create your kind of music. And then when you get to make another record, you experiment a little bit more. It’s the same old game that everybody plays.

Q:But you didn’t play this game for so many years. You were behind the scenes writing all the lyrics for Elton John. And what was your motivation, then, to come out and want it, because you’re the front man of the band, you’re the singer, and you’re the lyricist?
A: JIM: Your mother wouldn’t let you out, would she? You stay home here, I don’t want you being in one of those rotten groups.
BERNIE: Yeah, I did get sidetracked for a while. I guess about 30 years. But I don’t know. I’ve made solo records before, but I guess I’ve never done them with the intensity that I’ve put into doing this particular project. And this really isn’t a project to me now. It’s become a way of life. And it’s really first and foremost the thing that I love the most. And it’s really -- it’s an opportunity to make the kind of music that I love.

You know, I like what I do with Elton and I will probably continue to do it for years to come. And I still enjoy doing it. But this – Farm Dogs music is the kind of music that I grew up listening to. I mean, the influences of this -- that have gone into this kind of music. You know, the roots thing, the blues, the folk influences. I mean, a lot of the music that’s very sort of -- it’s very Texas based, a lot of it. Texas Blues. People like Lightning Hopkins. And that’s still alive down here. And I think we feel pretty much at home in Austin because it has that -- it has that rootsy kind of background to it. So, yeah, it was an opportunity to make the kind of music that I’ve always wanted to make. And we really invented this band. We invented the music. The music invented itself. But it all came -- sorry, Jim, I just knocked you in the face, didn’t I?
JIM: No, you missed me.
BERNIE: What a shame.
JIM: Have another go in the car on the way home.
BERNIE: I will. Anyway, before I was annoyingly interrupted.
JIM: You interrupted yourself, silly.

Q:It’s amazing to me that you say that this is the main focus for you now because you are part of one of the all-time songwriting teams ever. And you’ve made such a mark, not only on popular culture, but on all of our consciences that now this is your main thrust. It’s an amazing statement for you to make.
A: BERNIE: I think as an artist -- all artists should be allowed to experiment in any area they want to. And I think it’s sort of a bit single-minded to -- you know, because I get asked a lot by people. They say, "Well, why would you want to do this? You can just sit at home and sort of watch the accountants count your money."
JIM: Shake your money.
BERNIE: Yeah, shake your money.
JIM: I could stay home and count your money for you.

Q:But you are motivated to be out here and do this.
A: BERNIE: Well, yeah, but the thing is, it’s -- as I say, it’s all about stretching yourself. And it’s also -- I mean, the thing is, this is about playing, too. I’ve never had that opportunity to do that. And it’s a lot of fun. And we have a blast going out and playing. And hopefully, we’re going to be doing a lot more of it.

Q:Well, I do want to make it clear, because we’ve had some phone calls. The Farm Dogs are not playing in town tonight. They’re out visiting radio stations. And hopefully, they’ll be back later this year. And we’re going to let Bernie stretch and the band play. The album is going to be called Immigrant Sons. It’s due out February 3rd. On 107.1, KGSR, Farm Dogs.

"Whiskey In The Bathtub"

Q:Farm Dogs, live on 107.1, KGSR. That song, "Whiskey in the Bathtub", will turn up in its studio incarnation on the forthcoming album Immigrant Sons. And we’re spending time this afternoon with Robin LeMesurier, Jim Cregan and Bernie Taupin of Farm Dogs.
Now, I listened to the whole album a few times this week. And I thought, there’s a definite Tumbleweed Connection at work here. There’s a definite link to other lyrics that you’ve done, Bernie, like "Texan Love Song" and "Roy Rogers." Why are English -- the English, or you guys, obsessed with the American west, it seems?
A: ROBIN: They wanted to be a cowboy.
JIM: Yeah, if you’d grown up in cold, wet London, you’d want to be a cowboy, too.
BERNIE: No, the thing is, I mean, it goes back -- it’s kind of in two parts because the thing is, like we said before, we grew up listening to American music. You know, everybody that was in a band, when we were younger -- I mean, you look at it, you know, the Stones, the Beatles, you know, they were all influenced by American music. It was either Chuck Berry or Muddy Waters. But it was always American-influenced. And, you know, for myself, I was always, you know, a huge fan of America. I mean, I was obsessed with anything American and Americana and the American west and the whole ideology of the whole place. So it basically evolved into becoming a dream come true. And then when I moved here in the early ‘70s, you know, I sort of embraced the country and was very proud to be here.
JIM: You became a citizen, didn’t you?
BERNIE: Well, I became a citizen a long time ago. Yeah, I carry an American passport. But you know, obviously, the things that influence you the most are the things that end up in your songs. And, yeah, this album -- I mean, this -- hence the title Immigrant Sons, although our father’s weren’t actually immigrants, it’s kind of how we feel about it, you know, because we’ve been here so long. So it has that kind of Ellis Island feeling that we have. And the album is an American album. I mean, its roots are -- all the songs are about America or saying good-bye to Europe. And this is where we want to be. And this is where we’re making the kind of music we dig.

Q:Now, I did point out a common thread between some lyrics you’d done in the past and those of the Farm Dogs. But I think I heard you say recently that you write differently for Elton now than you did then because he’s a different person now. And you have to write differently for the Farm Dogs as well, don’t you?
A: BERNIE: Well, I think the thing is you have to realize about Elton is the fact that Elton is the personality. And he’s the focal point out there. He’s the artist. So you have to go along with his changes. You know, it’s very important to realize that his image is changing over the years. And back then, it made a lot of sense. I was driving to make that kind of record. But you know, you can’t expect him to keep making that kind of record after 30 years. So he went on to -- you know, he wants to do different things. And so this, obviously, is my way of being able to do those things again. But, yeah, I mean, these songs are in no way the kind of songs he would be doing now. I mean, I couldn’t take these lyrics and give them to Elton because he wouldn’t -- it wouldn’t seem right coming from him.

Q:Right. You used to go out with him on most of the tour dates?
A: BERNIE: In the early days, yeah. But as you grow older -- I mean, it was a good learning experience. It’s like going to school. You know, you learn about the world by going -- I’m sure it’s the same with both the guys here. You know, they toured so extensively with Rod. And you get an education. You totally get an education. And it’s very exciting. But obviously, as you grow older, you know, you have a lot more to do and you have more responsibilities and you want to stretch yourself and do other things. So you can’t go sort of gallivanting around the world.

Q:I will mention at this point, that Elton John is playing in San Antonio on January 31st. Our guests this afternoon are the Farm Dogs. Their new album is going to be called Immigrant Sons. And we’re talking with Jim and Robin and Bernie Taupin. Bernie, for a while there, you dropped your first name. What was up with that?
A: BERNIE: Oh, that was just one of those stupid, egotistic, idiotic things that we all do.
JIM: Too much drinking with Slash, I would think.
BERNIE: Yeah, I was just too lazy to use them both.
JIM: Saved time.
BERNIE: I was thinking of ways to save my breath. I don’t know what it was. I mean, you know -- I don’t think it was entirely my idea, actually. In fact, I think still on the Elton albums they still just use, you know, Taupin because I don’t think there’s a tremendous amount of Taupins in the -- but it’s like Bowie or anything of those names. It’s a really stupid idea.
JIM: Sure it wasn’t Sting?

Q:Will the Farm Dogs -- first of all, you guys recorded this album, I want to point this out, mostly first and second takes at your ranch, Bernie, right?
A: JIM: That’s correct, yeah. Yeah, we would knock the songs together in the morning and sometimes record them that afternoon. And it’s -- this is quite a quick-working band. We can write -- if Bernie comes in with a full set of lyrics, which is 90 percent of the time, we can put it to music in a half a day. We don’t usually spend more than two or three hours on a song. So it’s great from our point of view. It’s -- we all like to work quickly and we like to record quickly too. It keeps all the freshness and the energy and all the other things that are inclined to go stale if you do it too much.

Q:Now, what about a forthcoming tour?
A: JIM: We were hoping that we might slide onto the potential Don Henley tour, if he doesn’t mind. Don, if you don’t mind. Do you, mate? It’s okay. Carry your bags, whatever.
BERNIE: No, it would be a nice idea if we could get on sort of a major tour or -- which, you know, maybe next month or maybe in March. I’m not quite sure yet. I think the plan is to go out and do sort of showcases in different major cities, which would be fun. We like to do that.
JIM: We need to tour. I think we need to show everybody that we’re really serious and this is not -- you know, this is not some sort of sideline we do. I mean, we all have other things that we can do. You know, writing and producing and all that stuff. But it’s still very -- the most important thing in our lives, musically, is Farm Dogs. And it’s head and shoulders above anything else we do.
JIM: It’s our dream come true to make this record successful.

Q:I hope that you will come back to Austin to play live for everyone.
A: JIM: We’re so happy to come back here.
BERNIE: This would be the perfect city for us. We’d soak this up like a sponge.

Q:Well, let’s do this again when you come back. JIM: Okay. I’d just like to mention that you can find us on Farmdogs.com.

Q:On the web.
A:JIM: On the web.
BERNIE: Yeah, that gives you all the information of what trouble we’re getting into.
JIM: And we love to hear from you, too. Tell us what you think of the record and if you like it, if you’ve got any comments. If you want to know where --
ROBIN: If you want to be in the group.
JIM: Yeah, if you want to be in the group with Don Henley.

Q:Because I should point out that this band has a rhythm section. This is the stripped-down version of Farm Dogs.
A: ROBIN: Extremely stripped down, I might add. In fact, Jim’s not wearing his trousers.
JIM: Don’t tell them that I like to play nude.

Q:The album is Immigrant Sons. It comes out next month. And a couple more quick questions and then we’re going to move on to one last live song. I’d be remiss, Bernie, if I didn’t ask you about "Candle in the Wind, ’97", because you co-wrote one of the all-time best-selling singles in the world. And what is that like for you?
A: BERNIE: Yeah, well, obviously, everybody asks me how does that feel? And I think that the bottom line is the fact that it raised as much money as it did for Diana’s charity, I think, says it all. You know, I feel that we’re sort of drifting now into some negative feedback on it, too, which is kind of strange. You know, you see quote, little bites here and there from people sort of taking potshots. And I think it’s very unfair to take potshots at something that has achieved such a massive amount of money for such a worthy cause.
But the whole enormity of the sales and everything like that, I try not to sort of dwell on it too much. And I really don’t, because, you know, I’ve got so much else going on. But, yeah, it’s pretty overwhelming to think that that song was performed in front of, you know, a couple of billion people and it’s sold over, whatever it is, 36 million copies. And you know, in the "Guinness Book of Records". I mean, it’s all -- yeah, it’s all very -- it’s a great feeling. But it’s not the part of it that I sort of look on with pride, by any means.

Q:Well, I will say that, you know, it is big. And whenever anything is that big, there’s always going to be a naysayer or two. But on the listeners end, a very inspired piece of work. And that’s something else besides --
A: BERNIE: Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m very proud of it. You know, I mean, just the fact that it was such an honor to be able to do something like that and hopefully speak to so many millions of people. I mean, it was a tremendous, tremendous honor.

Q:And I understand that they are auctioning off the original lyric sheets at a -- is it --
A: BERNIE: Yeah, my wife’s restaurant is in Los Angeles, and it’s Christi’s that will be auctioning it off on the -- I believe it’s the 11th of February. And that’s going to be quite a big deal, too. And I mean, that’s kind of strange, too, because, you know, you’re wondering how much something that you’ve written is worth. And I don’t think that’s really the point. I think the point is that hopefully, the money that it will raise will be increased by the fact that somebody will just feel that it’s a worthy cause. And that will bump up the price. But yeah, it’s pretty interesting. And again, it’s one more way of -- the money actually, in that case, is going to go to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which is something that my wife and I are sort of big supporters of and something, I believe, that Diana, were she alive, would be a big supporter of, too.

Q:We’re speaking with Bernie Taupin and Farm Dogs on 107.1, KGSR. The album’s on the way, Immigrant Sons. Bernie, one more question and then I’d like to hear another song. I know that you are really immersed in the Farm Dogs. This is your focus right now, but looking back, what are the songs that stand out to you above and beyond the "Candle in the Wind", which we were just talking about. Favorites from the catalogue maybe that stick out to you that weren’t big hits or --

A: BERNIE: Yeah, actually, it’s funny enough you should say that, because the things that do stick out are the ones that really aren’t the hits, simply because I don’t think you hear them so much. So you’re not so tired of hearing them. I’ve -- I don’t know. I mean, I’ve got favorites, but they vary a lot. I mean, there’s one song I really, really love and I think is one of my -- I’ve got two favorites, actually. There’s one called "Sacrifice", which I think -- which actually was a hit in England, I think. But I think it’s a really, really good song. And there’s another song called "The One", which is sort of a personal thing. So those -- I don’t tend to go back and pick songs, because I can’t really remember all the ones back there. I’m not very retro in that respect. I don’t sort of -- I like to be in the future as opposed to dwelling in the past.

Q:Well, the future for Bernie Taupin and Jim Cregan and Robin LeMesurier is Farm Dogs. The album is Immigrant Sons. And on 107.1, KGSR, we’ve got one more live song from Farm Dogs.

"Distance To The Mountain"

Q:We’ve been spending part of the afternoon with the band, Farm Dogs. And that was "Distance to the Mountain". It’s on their album which is out February 3rd, Immigrant Sons. Jim Cregan, Robin LeMesurier and Bernie Taupin. I thank you all for your time this afternoon and for all the great music over the years.
A: FARMDOGS: Thanks for having us in. Thanks a lot. Very nice to be here.

Q:Way to go, guys. (End of interview.)