Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Aug/Sep 2009 Anniversary Issue Featuring Michael Manring
Jake: So it’s more or less an individual approach for each student?
Michael: Absolutely. One of the things I’ve found is that students vary so widely as far as their musical goals are concerned. It’s a little tough, because I always have things that I think they should work on, but it’s hard to really come up with a routine to guide them along as I think they should be, because everybody’s a little bit different. People often come to me with pretty broad goals, pretty serious goals, and I say, well if that’s your goal, here are the things that “I” think you’ll need to help you get there. There’s often a big chunk of stuff that I may present that they weren’t expecting, but again that’s dependent upon the student. I guess that’s more or less my general philosophy of teaching.
Jake: You’ve been very successful in a really tough market —that of the solo bassist. What do you feel are some of your stronger attributes as a musician, as well as a person, that may have helped that success along?
Michael: I think the reason I’ve been able to make a living at this is, well, I have almost no business skills. That being said, I feel I have a very positive attitude, a willingness to go out there and do it regardless of what that may involve, even sometimes when maybe it’s not a good idea to go out there and do it. So if somebody calls me from Guatemala and says hey, can you come out and play a solo gig here, I always seem to say yes. And if somebody’s says hey, can you work with this person, or with that person, I generally try to find a way to do it. And I think that’s really worked for me…wanting to play music, and not having a lot of preconceptions about how things have to be. So it’s allowed me to play in tons of different genres and doing a lot of different things that I’d never thought I’d do. That tended to open doors that I don’t think would have opened up if I wasn’t receptive to everything. A lot of the time I end up opening for the gigs, playing alongside someone I didn’t know about, or someone I didn’t have a strong desire to play with, but I thought I’d give it a try because there’s always the possibility that it could open up some doors to other places. If there’s anything I’ve done that I think has helped me, I think that would be it.
I can mention that at one point, when I was working with Windham Hill records, they used to do these seasonal records around Christmas time. The first one they did was very, very successful, and every year after that they would put out a call to all their players to submit their pieces, and I would always work really hard putting together these amazing bass quartet versions of Bach or something of the like, and they would say that’s very nice, but no thanks. I figured that I could probably do a reasonable job playing the kind of piano that they liked. For the record, I’m not a pianist. I’ve played piano all my life, but I’ve probably never spent more than an hour practicing piano. I have no chops at all, but I understand music, and I can make a pretty sound on the piano. But that is exactly what they wanted, and so on two of these records I played solo piano pieces that I wrote, and I made more money on those pieces than anything else than I’ve ever done. The point being that just trying to stay open, and going, I think I can do that, I can try, has been a way for me to be successful, because god knows I have no sense for being able to say, well, this is the way the business is going and it’s what I need to do, and I need to be really cunning about my business.
Jake: So if I can paraphrase, it’s your openness, musically, that has been the catalyst for a lot of your success.
Michael: I think so. Curiosity often outweighs the fear of embarrassment, because there’s been plenty of that. There have been plenty of times I’ve been on the stage going, oh yeah, I’d rather not be here right now. But that curiosity has always been a driving force for me. I’m continually amazed at how many people aren’t willing to go to things that are available, and easy, and close by, because so often for me it’s been so rewarding to take that step outside of the box and see what’s out there.
Jake: Do you have any plans for a new CD coming up in the near future?
Michael: Yeah, I’ve been desperately trying to find time to do another solo project. The plan I have for it is to be mostly solo bass, but I don’t think I’ll be quite as catholic about it as I was with a lot of other recordings I’ve done. The last one was about getting everything done in one take, which I don’t think I’ll do on this one. I have a lot of pieces already in mind, sort of sketched out, but they need to be cleaned up, and I need to learn to play them, which is always a challenge. It’s hard to find time to do that with all the other stuff I have going on. Generally, I work on my solo stuff during my downtime, when I’m not working on anything else. It’s been kind of nonstop as of late doing session work and touring, and other things in life that take time.
Jake: I would consider being that busy a “good” problem.
Michael: I would too.
Visit online at www.manthing.com
Bass Videos
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024…
Brian Bromberg is one heavy-hitting bass player and I am in awe of his talent as one of the few individuals who is equally proficient on electric and upright bass.
You might remember our conversation back in 2018 when he released his powerhouse Funk album. Brian’s “A Little Driving Music” album is a staple on all our road trips and his Jaco and Jimi Hendrix tribute albums are mind-blowing… and I could go on and on.
Now, Brian has taken on the arduous task of producing an album paying tribute to the late, great, Scott LaFaro. He teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero and Brian delivers a commanding performance on upright. The entire album is a masterpiece and a real treat to listen to track after track.
Join us as Brian shares the details behind this project and more.
Photo, Michel Bocandé
Featured Videos
Visit Online
brianbromberg.net
FB @BrianBrombergBassist
YouTube
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Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Interview With Audic Empire Bassist James Tobias
New Album: Avery Sharpe, I Am My Neighbors Keeper
