| Betsy: People talk about it a lot. There's the Now and | | | | politicians call it?...an exploratory committee to run for |
| Forever forum where people comment on it. But on | | | | president. So this was an exploratory rehearsal. |
| YouTube people will post comments on the videos. | | | | Betsy: You need donations? |
| You can always look there for the comments. I posted | | | | Graham: Yeah, right, always! You know, we just got |
| up two videos, Make you Mine and Lace and Leather | | | | together and played and we played all the songs from |
| the first night from Vegas and the next day I recorded | | | | the album. And it was cool. Course it was me, Mike, |
| The Future and I posted up that. I think I told you last | | | | Jonni and Stina. I asked Jed to do it but he was on |
| night that Make You Mine has 1,200. | | | | holiday 'cause it was his birthday. So it was cool. It was |
| Graham: That's 1,200 people that have come on now | | | | weird at first, Russell not being there, but this is just |
| and listened to it? | | | | another flavor you know. But I would like to do some |
| Betsy: Now I started posting the videos of all the | | | | shows. If we had some time off I'd probably go out |
| different clips in November and 45,000 views we've | | | | and do a couple of weeks somewhere in small |
| passed now. | | | | venues and a club in the back, back of beyond, you |
| Graham: That's amazing. | | | | know. And what I'd call it is Graham Russell and The |
| Betsy: And when I saw you in Vegas it was only | | | | Future. So the band would be called The Future, which |
| 25,000. | | | | I think is really cool. |
| Graham: I remember that. | | | | Betsy: Oh really? |
| Betsy: So in just three weeks, it's 20,000. | | | | Graham: Yeah. |
| Graham: Wow. | | | | Betsy: That's so cool, |
| Graham: What was the reaction when I put on Lace | | | | Graham: It is, isn't it. I can't believe no one has thought |
| and Leather for people to download, do you know? | | | | of it! |
| Betsy: Oh, people couldn't wait for it. I mean... | | | | Betsy: What's the status of the Heart of the Rose. |
| Graham: Right. | | | | Graham: Well we've done two previews. We did one |
| Betsy: I was shocked because it sounds so different | | | | in Chicago, and one in New York and we're looking for |
| than your live version, very different. | | | | a lot of money. We haven't got what we want yet, |
| Graham: You think? | | | | but we'll get it. You know, it's a long journey, and there |
| Betsy: Absolutely. Your live version is very upbeat and | | | | are a lot of obstacles. Because we are trying to do |
| fast and the recorded version is very... | | | | something different than what a normal Broadway |
| Graham: Mellow | | | | show is. I mean, in New York we had a lot of heavy |
| Betsy: Yeah, very mellow. Beautiful! | | | | weight Broadway people there and they're all saying |
| Graham: No, I know what you mean. See, I'm not really | | | | you can't do it this way and you can't do that. And I |
| aware that much. Yeah, 'cause on the recorded one, | | | | just really don't listen, you know? |
| there's the strings on there. | | | | Betsy: You can't. |
| Betsy: And there is somebody else singing. People | | | | Graham: Well, I can't, no. I don't want to listen to those |
| have been asking who is singing. I don't know, is it you? | | | | people. But it was very successful. It was really cool. |
| Graham: It's me. Yeah. It probably is a little bit more | | | | And the way it was presented, it was very different. |
| mellow 'cause I think I made a mental note, now that I | | | | Normally, there's four or five people and they read |
| think of it, that live, I needed to attack it a little more, | | | | everything from stands and they don't act anything out |
| you know. Just to step on it a little more. Because it's | | | | and they just stand there or read it and turn pages |
| the last song in my three and I don't want it to be too | | | | and sing a few of the songs. But I had five singers and |
| sleepy, you know? Yeah, I definitely dig in a little more, | | | | I only made a cameo role in half a song. But it was |
| live. I dig in a little more. But you're right. On the | | | | really cool. The singers were fantastic and they acted |
| recorded one it's a little mellower. Because it's got the | | | | it all out. And Broadway people aren't used to that. |
| strings on there. | | | | And they were saying, Oh is that the whole show? |
| Betsy: It's beautiful. But it sounds very different. I prefer | | | | And we'd say, no that's not the whole show...all this |
| the live version, myself. | | | | stupid stuff. But you know, we'll get there. |
| Graham: That's interesting that you think it's so | | | | Richard Branson is a real mentor figure for me and I |
| different. I don't think it's that different. | | | | read something I usually tell everyone. I read an article |
| Betsy: Well, that's because you're singing it. | | | | on a plane about him and it said, you know when |
| Graham: But you know, but things evolve. Like if I had | | | | you've got a new idea or something new, he says, |
| recorded the song tomorrow it would be different than | | | | everybody will say no to it 'cause they're frightened of |
| how I recorded before. It would just be, 'cause it's now | | | | it. And he said, so get ready for them all to say no. |
| instead of then. | | | | And he said, unless they say no, you're on the wrong |
| Betsy: Well look at how you sound today as Air | | | | track and you're not doing anything new or spiritual or |
| Supply verses what the recordings sounded in the 80s. | | | | innovative. He said they're gonna say no. But right at |
| Graham: Oh yeah. .It's totally different. Nothing's the | | | | the end, somebody will say yes and understand it and |
| same. | | | | go boom! And the light will go on. And he said, that's |
| Betsy: No. Absolutely not. | | | | being creative and that's being a leader and doing |
| Graham: And you can't expect it to be, you know. | | | | something that nobody's done before. And I'll never |
| Betsy: And they are beautiful now. Ok, I grew up with | | | | forget that. Cause he's one of those people. You |
| that back in the 80s. That's all the music I know. But to | | | | know, I wanna do something different for Broadway. |
| hear it now, it's incredible to hear it. Russell sounds | | | | Betsy: So is that where you intend to... |
| fabulous. You sound fabulous. The band does... The | | | | Graham: I wanna open it in England, in Nottingham first |
| energy... | | | | for like a month and then take it to the West End. But |
| Graham: Yeah. It's very different, yeah. | | | | it'll happen you know, in its time. I mean, it's becoming a |
| Betsy: I think I say somewhere on my blog, it's not the | | | | lot of years so far. Yep, a long time. But I don't need it |
| same Air Supply you remember from the 80s. | | | | to happen. But it'll happen. |
| Graham: No, oh thank God, you know. | | | | Betsy: So it occupies a lot of your time? |
| Betsy: It's a total rock band. | | | | Graham: Yeah, well, it doesn't occupy a lot of my time |
| Graham: It is, yeah, I mean, it was a little bit in the 80s | | | | now 'cause it's finished. So when the impetus is ready |
| but that's 25 years ago you know. I mean, I don't want | | | | for another...we're talking about doing one in Los |
| to sound like we did 25 years ago. That would be | | | | Angeles, another preview. We'll do it. But there's no |
| terrible. | | | | pressure to do it. I mean, we have certain funds for it, |
| Betsy: I wouldn't say it would sound terrible because | | | | but we don't have what we want, what we're after. |
| that's what people... | | | | We're after 10 million dollars you know. |
| Graham: Well it would be 'cause we wouldn't have | | | | Betsy: If I had it, I would give it to you. |
| gone anywhere. And I think people are surprised when | | | | Graham: Oh I know you would! But we'll get it. |
| they come to see us and they go "whoa" 'cause it's | | | | Betsy: Are you working on any other projects? |
| not what they think it's gonna be. | | | | Graham: I'm doing the music for a movie, I just |
| Betsy: Here's a question for you. You said that radio | | | | discovered two days ago, which is a small movie. It's |
| stations won't play your music. Do you think they will in | | | | coming out of Utah. And I've read the script and I think |
| Asia? And I'm talking specifically about The Future. | | | | it's really cool. There's only I think six or seven people in |
| Graham: I think they are gonna play it, yeah. I think they | | | | it. So it's a very low budget small movie and its really |
| are gonna play it here too. Once people hear it. | | | | cute and very cool. And they asked me to write the |
| Betsy: I hope. | | | | music and so, I did, well, I am. I've already written the |
| Graham: I really believe that, yeah. But they'll play it in | | | | title song for it, which is really cool. And so I'm doing |
| Asia. | | | | that. And what else am I doing? I'm spending a lot of |
| Betsy: What are your goals for your sales? | | | | time now doing promotion for The Future. I've just |
| Graham: I don't really have any goals. I just want | | | | been getting a lot of promotion for it. But I'm not really |
| people to hear it. But Barry, I think, has got a distribution | | | | working on anything else. |
| deal for me worldwide, so it's gonna get out there, | | | | Betsy: What's the status of the Air Supply CD? |
| yeah. | | | | Graham: You know at the moment it's a little bit in |
| Betsy: Do you have any plans to release a follow up? | | | | limbo because we just haven't all got together. The |
| Graham: You know, I'm sure I will now, once I've kind of | | | | songs are there. Originally I was gonna do the Zed |
| broke the ice with this one. Doing this one was...for a | | | | project, which I wanted it to be a theatrical thing. Not |
| long time I thought, should I do it or will it not be a good | | | | live on stage like theater. I wanted it to be like a |
| idea. One of the things that I really thought about was | | | | concept, you know, but I don't know about that |
| the Air Supply fans. Would they think that Air Supply | | | | anymore because it's been a couple years since that. |
| was gonna be finished. And I didn't want them to | | | | And I wrote all the songs for it, and everything. And |
| presume that. So when I used to mention it some | | | | Russell heard them, loved them. But now I've kinda got |
| months ago that I was doing it, I'd say, but it's not the | | | | off that a little bit because it's been a long time. |
| end of the band you know. It wont make any | | | | Betsy: So do you think that we'll see a CD in 2007? |
| difference to the band at all. I mean, they were just | | | | Graham: Where are we now, March? I think so, yeah. |
| songs that were sitting there that Air Supply wouldn't | | | | The end of this year. |
| have used. | | | | Betsy: But you're not quite sure what it will be? |
| Betsy: And you play them during the Air Supply show. | | | | Graham: It will probably be towards the end of autumn. |
| Graham: Yeah, yeah. It's funny 'cause people are | | | | A lot of songs are already recorded. We recorded |
| surprised that I am doing this. But they say, what a | | | | Miracles, which we already gave on the side, Faith in |
| great idea. And I say, yeah, I know! And plus, it | | | | Love, which now there are three versions of Faith in |
| quenches my thirst to do something solo a little bit, you | | | | Love. |
| know, and it's the perfect thing. | | | | Betsy: I like the second to last one. |
| Betsy: Now how long do you think you'll be doing it live | | | | Graham: Which one was that? |
| in shows | | | | Betsy: The one before this one. I just have to say, |
| Graham: Certainly all this year. | | | | from a personal perspective I really miss you playing |
| Betsy: So is the intermission type thing gone where | | | | the guitar in the beginning. |
| you were doing This Time? | | | | Graham: I play it though. |
| Graham: Not necessarily, no. I might bring that back. I | | | | Betsy: No, no-in the very beginning. Now you are |
| mean, eventually, I want to do all of them. I'll change the | | | | clapping and you're getting everybody moving... |
| songs up. Once people start hearing it and get used to | | | | Graham: Right yeah, but I bring it in. |
| the album then I'll swap the songs around. And I'll do | | | | Betsy: And Jed's just kind of standing there... |
| different ones, you know. Or maybe extend my thing | | | | Graham: Yeah, no we took all the synthesizers out. |
| to four songs or something. | | | | Only because we've been doing it for a year. |
| Betsy: Now does that affect the time? | | | | Betsy: But I love that other version. But that's just me. |
| Graham: It does Yeah. It affects it. Because different | | | | Other people say they like the new one too. |
| venues want different times, you know, from us. You | | | | Graham: No that's cool. |
| know, normally they want 90 minutes so I have to be | | | | Betsy: I really love to see you play the guitar and that's |
| sure that I don't take up Air Supply's time because I | | | | one of the reasons I love seeing you, what is it, is it |
| don't want to step on the fans' time watching the band. | | | | Make You Mine that you do that in? |
| You know, people want to hear this song and that | | | | Graham: Yeah. We needed to, well, I needed, too, to |
| song and I don't want to have to, I won't pull songs out | | | | change it up because we've been doing it for a year. |
| of the Air Supply set just so I can perform, you know? | | | | And every year, historically, I change the set up or |
| But a lot of places don't care. They say, you know, | | | | bring new songs in. I didn't this year because I knew a |
| you can play two hours, I mean our set... | | | | lot of people really liked Faith in Love and I do too. But I |
| Betsy: Whoo hoo! | | | | needed to change it up or it was coming out because I |
| Graham: Well our set, our full set, which we don't get | | | | can't, I can only do it for so long that way. All of them, |
| to do very often, it is almost two hours . | | | | Even the Nights...they all need to be changed up a little, |
| Betsy: I haven't seen one yet. | | | | you know? |
| Graham: haven't you? | | | | Betsy: What about Sweet Dreams? You've been |
| Betsy: Not a full set, no. Well, I don't know. I've seen the | | | | doing The River for- |
| set that I've seen for the past six months. And I don't | | | | Graham: Yeah, we have. Well, I love the poem, we all |
| recall any... | | | | do and I'm not ready to lose that yet. Maybe I'll bring it |
| Graham: Right, well we are due to change it up, and, | | | | in with another poem somewhere else. 'Cause I like |
| although, we did change it... | | | | that element, the spoken word. In fact, when we first |
| Betsy: Recently, with opening with Even The Nights. | | | | started that, I thought, wow, are people gonna get it? |
| Graham: That's new this year, yeah. | | | | But people really get it. |
| Betsy: Very cool. | | | | Betsy: People today, people who haven't ever seen a |
| Graham: Yeah, I love that. That was actually Jonni's | | | | show, they're wondering, what is this and then all of a |
| idea to open with that. Yeah, and we just moved | | | | sudden Close Your Eyes... and people are like oh!, it's |
| things around. We moved the Power of Love down. | | | | Sweet Dreams! |
| Betsy: That was weird for me because I was so used | | | | Graham: Yeah, yeah I like that. |
| to seeing Power of Love right at the beginning. | | | | Betsy: When you look out into the audience, do you |
| Graham: It's still weird for me | | | | appreciate seeing familiar faces? |
| Betsy: But the way I look at it is it's like the second half | | | | Graham: Yes, we get used to them. |
| of the show. It's like a new beginning. | | | | Betsy: What would you consider the greatest moment |
| Graham: It is the second half of the show. Exactly. It | | | | in your career? |
| starts the second half. | | | | Graham: I hope I haven't had it yet. |
| Betsy: Very cool. But, we miss the intermission where | | | | Betsy: Is there anything you haven't done yet that you |
| you say, oh Russell 's gone to change his pants, have | | | | would like to? |
| a cup of tea... | | | | Graham: Yeah, I would love win an Oscar for some |
| Graham: Right, I know. But I can't do that now because | | | | music I write. |
| I'm doing that at the front. What I like too is I like to | | | | Betsy: Really? |
| keep everything evolving, and changing. Now people | | | | Graham: Yeah. I would. |
| are getting used to me opening up you know. But then | | | | Betsy: What would you like to be doing in five years? |
| later on when they get used to it, I might swap it | | | | Graham: Exactly this. You know, the Rolling Stones are |
| around again. That's what I like. I like to keep everyone | | | | our model. We are still young and age is just a number. |
| on their toes. | | | | We plan to be around for many years, as long as we |
| Betsy: You haven't done that many shows with it. | | | | can. I don't know why people think we are going |
| Graham: No. Feb 14 I started. | | | | anywhere. |
| Betsy: What, that's maybe 15 shows, 10 shows. | | | | Betsy: With all of your writing, do you know the |
| Graham: Yeah. But it took me this long just to figure it | | | | greatest number of songs written in a short period of |
| out. When I started on Valentines Day to where I am | | | | time? |
| doing now is totally different. Same songs, but oh I had | | | | Graham: No, not really. Usually, they all come together, |
| the lyrics in front of me and I couldn't remember them, | | | | fast and furious, one right after another. I'll be writing |
| you know. Course I could, but I was freaked. | | | | one and another one will come right after. |
| Betsy: Really? | | | | Betsy: So you don't typically have one here and there? |
| Graham: Well, not freaked. I never get nervous. But I | | | | They all just kind of come at one time together? |
| didn't want to mess it up. And when you are on your | | | | Graham: Yeah. |
| own, there is only one person responsible and even | | | | Betsy: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? |
| though the lyrics were in front of me, I'd mess them all | | | | Graham: I like to garden. My whole family were |
| up. And I hate reading lyrics from the paper, you know. | | | | gardeners. |
| In fact, I'd tell the audience, I'd say, well I got all my | | | | Betsy: Really? Do you like to garden things like veggies |
| words down here, and I'd still mess it up. So in the end, I | | | | or plants? |
| just have to take them away and I know them. | | | | Graham: Veggies and herbs. |
| Betsy: So for The Future do you have any plans to | | | | Betsy: Me too! It's not so easy though back on the |
| perform specifically for that? | | | | East Coast. |
| Graham: I'd like to. In fact, we rehearsed last week. I | | | | Betsy: Graham, thank you so much for your time. This |
| rehearsed a band last week. Just for fun. For three | | | | has been wonderful and I feel very honored. |
| days in Park City, yeah just to...it was, what do the | | | | Graham: You're very welcome my Dear. Thank you. |