Breeze” being a hit for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other originals such as “Cocaine,” “Crazy Mama,” and “Magnolia” being recorded by many other musicians, J.J. has been able to stay out of the limelight. Says J.J. , “I’m not a showbiz kind of guy. I had the passion to do music as much as anybody. But I never wanted to be the patsy up front. And I still don’t want to be famous.” And so, the royalty checks come in while J.J. kicks back and lets the other guys take the heat of fame. I came to J.J. in a different way, through
his 1981 album Shades, a great example of that smooth but rocking Cale sound. Now, after an eight-year absence, he has a new stu- dio album out with To Tulsa And Back, on Sanctuary Records. I talked to J. J. on the phone from his southern California home. Even though I knew he would rather be doing something else, I had a great time talking to a musician that has influenced a lot more folks than just me.
9
Howdy J.J., good to talk with you, al- though I’m sure this isn’t your favorite thing to do. Oh yeah. (Laughing). You’re hip to me then, huh? Well, the one thing I hate about inter- views, man, is that it is a one-way conversa- tion, and it’s always about me. And, I don’t ever learn anything, you know? Half of them are not conversations, but just answering questions. And, I don’t mind that, it’s part of the business. Part of the hype. It gets tiring after a while.
Well brother, we prefer to do it in a conversational style rather than pep- pering folks with questions. Besides, you’re lucky enough to get to take a break from these interviews for a few years in-between records. Oh yeah, thanks to a bunch of people cutting my songs, man. So I can go, ‘I don’t think I’ll work this year.’ (Laughing)
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