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Interview
With T.G. Sheppard - March 16, 2007
Gold Strike Casino Tunica Resorts,
Mississippi
by Jen Cuthbertson
Tunica
will be seeing TG Sheppard around at least once a month for the next
few months as he has partnered with Gold Strike
Casino to bring dynamic up coming country stars to the stage at the
Millennium Theatre.
I received an invitation
to interview TG Sheppard at Gold Strike Casino
It was just one of those days like they say some times you’re the bug and
sometimes you’re the windshield, today was a windshield kinda day. I
couldn’t find my tape recorder, even if I did I still haven’t really figured
out how it works, camera lens cover thingee broke, I never did learn
shorthand and reading my writing is challenging enough for anyone even me.
At least I am on time, my shoes match, I remembered my glasses, and I am in
a happy mood because it is a beautiful day and I am on a mission.
When TG opened the door
to the super suite at Gold Strike wearing shorts and barefooted, I knew it
was going to be a good afternoon. There’s this presence he emits that gives
you a warm and fuzzy feeling. I feel comfortable and at home like visiting
with an old friend. I had studied TG Sheppard 1101 on the internet and had a bag
full of questions. We shared some of the same stomping grounds and had lots
to talk about. Time just flew by and I was a bit embarrassed to have taken
so much of his time, yet I felt blessed to have had the opportunity to be
embarrassed.
There’s the King of Rock n Roll, the King of pop, the King of Blues, the
King of Country, and then there’s the Master! I anoint TG Sheppard a
Master! I realize he is considered “The Southern Son”. But, just think of
this 32 years in the music business, 54 albums, 37 songs made it to the top
10 and 17 to the Top #1 hits. (such as “Last Cheater’s Waltz”, I loved’Em
Every One”, Do you Wanna Go To Heaven, “Devil In The Bottle” and “Fooled
Around And Fell In Love” to name a few). He has recorded, written, managed,
and performed and yet maintained his deserved longevity by adapting to the
cycling changes in what pleases the public. Now, he is giving of himself and
his time to help promote up coming talent. He is writing songs for movies
and making albums. Now doesn’t that sound like a master?
TG Sheppard was born in 1944 Bill Browder, spending his adolescent years growing up in Humboldt, TN. (across the street from my aunt and uncle). At age 15 TG decided to go to the big city and hitch hiked to Memphis full of dreams and fearless. Fueled with passion and an unstoppable drive and desire TG set out to fulfill his dream of being a singer. Thirty two years later he is still full of the same passions. For a Bio of TG Sheppard click here.
Here is a bit of our
conversation followed by my thoughts of the concert.
Jen: TG, Who actually “discovered” you?
TG: “Barry Gordie, with Motown records.” Motown had decided to get
into the Country side of the music business and I was their ticket.
Jen: Has the impact of videos made it so a person has to be …. How do
we say, not ugly, to be a star?
TG: (laughing) NO! Looks don’t count anymore, it’s all about talent,
uniqueness, good attitude, body language, stage presence, and confidence
without being condescending.”
Jen: I understand you were friends with Elvis.
TG: Yes, I even lived at Graceland for awhile. I was working for RCA
and promoted some of Elvis’s songs. Elvis surprised me with my first Tour
Bus and encouraged me to get out on stage and out from behind the scene.
Jen: Tell me how
it feels being called by your given name Bill Browder, a stage name, Brian
Stacey, and now as TG Sheppard. Does it interfere with “who” you feel you
are?
TG: Wow, no one has ever asked me that! I do still answer to Bill,
my mom, slips up every now and then and calls me Bill and on occasion in an
airport for example, if I hear someone holler “Bill!” I will turn around.
But what you see is what you get.
I have really always been TG Sheppard. It just took me awhile to get the
name. I am very comfortable in my own skin.
Jen: The recording industry can be extremely demanding with all the
cycling changes of what the public demands. You have persevered and
maintained with your passions intact. What makes you get up out of bed
everyday?
TG: Life. Thus far has been a wonderful life. I have touched so many
lives and so many people have touched my life. Fame and money are okay but
the friendships and relationships are phenomenal. In the movie Rocky, Rocky
says “When the smoke clears and the applause dies, I will still have my
friends.” That’s me.
Jen: What are you
up to now? Anything exciting in the works?
TG: Talking about friends… Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniel, Barry Gibb,
and some others are getting together to do a “Partners in Rhyme” CD. Well in
fact, there are about 16 of us artists who have pulled together to record
this special CD. The album will take about two years to record. Now that’s
exciting! Oh, and my lady, Kelly Lang, and I are doing some songs for the
movie “The Deal” starring Burt Reynolds. The movie is about Texas Hold’Em
and the Poker scene.
Jen: Tell me about
the Timeless Album.
TG: I remember my Mom and Dad would wear out the living room rug
dancing when I was growing up. There was just something about those big band
days. On the Timeless CD I have romantic songs, (I love to sing sexy songs),
“I want to be around to pick up the pieces”, “I left my heart in San
Francisco”, “Smile”, “As Time Goes By”, “When I Fall In Love” plus some
more old hits. I sang with Dean Martin once, and wanted to sing with Blue
Eyes, but he didn’t return my call (laughing). The songs are Timeless, so
the title is “Timeless”. If you haven’t heard it you need to.
Jen: You just
light up when you talk about performing. Does performing on stage give you a
natural high?
TG: I wouldn’t say a Natural High. I just love what I do. My Dad once
said if you are happy with what you do you aren’t really working. I enjoy
making people happy. In fact I would say my biggest accomplishment is
knowing I made a difference to somebody or something even if it is for a few
minutes with a song. I love to sing, why heck, I would sing for a garage
door opening.
Jen: Now how does
the Series of Concerts work you are promoting at Gold Strike?
TG: I will host the shows. I will introduce Carolina Rain, and after
their performance I will sing a few songs and talk with the audience. The
next few concerts I will just host, not perform. (Danielle Peck (April 21),
Cowboy Crush (May 17) and later this summer top finalists and winners from
the USA Network show, Nashville Star.)
Then on the third concert or so, I will perform.
I just want the fans to be able to see these fantastic groups while they are
affordable. I know they will go far because they all have incredible talent.
We wound up the interview as others were waiting to spend time with TG. I have to say not only is TG Sheppard a handsome multi talented individual, he is a truly wonderful person. I found him to be kind, compassionate, energetic, and as my grandmother would say, “He’s good folk”.
The Concert:
The Stage is lit with the lighted letters T.G. across the curtains. TG enters from the side of the stage from the audience. After a warm welcome for Carolina Rain, TG exits.
It didn’t take
but a few bars and you just knew the band Carolina Rain is star material.
The beat, the lyrics, the harmony it all fit like a kid glove. TG knew what
he was talking about when he said these guys “had what it takes”. A few of
the audience members couldn’t restrain themselves and were asked to please
stop dancing in the aisle and be seated. It was difficult for those who
loved to dance and loved country music, because these guys you had to at
least tap your foot if you couldn’t get up and dance.
Carolina Rain now has a
record, “Isn’t She?” at 35th on the charts. When they are in your
area or back in Tunica please check them out. You will not be disappointed.
TG Performs: TG’s band is a perfect blend featuring the Memphis Horns.
There’s something about horns that really bring the intensity and richness
to music. When a performer has 54 albums and 37 songs which made it to the
top ten he could stay on the stage for days and not run out of material.
With TG’s diversity and range of style there is something for everybody. He
is smooth, charismatic, and owns the room.
Remember me mentioning earlier about how important friends are to TG? Before
we were seated we noticed close to hundred seats were saved for his friends.
Like I said this man oozes with passion for music, making people happy,
friends, life, performing and the lovely Kelly Lang.
TG performed some of his hit songs such as “Last Cheater’s Waltz”, I Loved’Em Every One”, Do You Wanna Go To Heaven, “Devil In The Bottle” and “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” to name a few. Plus his all time hit “Folger’s In Your Cup”! Yes that is TG Sheppard singing the ever popular Folger’s Coffee Commercial Lyrics. Then he followed up with a crowd smoother string of songs from his latest album “Timeless”. During the performance while he sang. TG would go into the audience and answer questions and would interact with the audience TG Sheppard is a master of entertainment. He has reached his goal! When you leave the concert you feel good. That’s the way the master likes it.