Vol. 2 No. 2 (May. 1, 2004) Page 6

Dude, Where's My Hobbit? & Philly
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3

And The Message Board Says...
Page 4

Dambuilders/Noho
Page 5

Talking With James Arthur Payne, Jr.
Page 6

Fan Profile
Page 7

The Reviews
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14

Ezra Pet Contest
Page 15

News & Links
Page 16

Map of Ezra
Page 17

TTOY Hall of Fame
Page 18

Archives
Mar. 2003
May 2003
July 2003
Sept. 2003
Nov. 2003
Jan. 2004
Mar. 2004

TALKING WITH
JAMES ARTHUR PAYNE. JR.
by Laura Leigh (aka Holly Golightly)

I asked Santa for one thing this Christmas, an interview with Jim Payne.  My friends asked for a Mercedes, Brad Pitt, World Peace, and a CD.  Yet, I'm the one that Santa questioned.

Regardless, Santa came through for me in "Miracle on Bourbon St." fashion and I got my interview with Jim Payne.

If you’ve ever waited around after a show with me for the guys – you would know my favorite thing to ask other Ezralites to do – tell me a story about Jim.  I’ve always considered him to be The Man, The Myth, The Mystery: James Arthur Payne; however, I could never be fully satisfied with that. I needed to know more.  I picked up the usual pieces of information from other fans – that Jim and Kevin were high school friends and both Kappa Sigs at LSU.

But there's apparently so much more to Mr. Payne.  He can recite Chaucer.  He can dance like Michael Flatley. And, he is rumored to be a decent pool player and a lover of Golden Tee.

Originally a guitar tech and stage manager for BTE, this talented guy has gone on to take on many more roles.  If you were at the Christmas Shows this past year, for instance, you would’ve been witness to Jim Payne’s unbelievable ass-shaking abilities.

Comparing his own elusiveness to that of a Sasquatch, I was finally able to get Jim to agree to participate in an interview via the world wide wow.  I imagined him sitting there typing the answers to my questions, wearing his favorite camel colored shirt with the snap buttons, jeans, his cowboy hat, and for some inexplicable reason – I imagine him barefoot as he did so.

So, my fellow Ezralites, I invite you to take my hand and come along as find we find out a little bit more about the proverbial enigma "wrapped in a conundrum" -- James Arthur Payne, Jr.:

LL:  Which would you rather have praised -- your skills at playing the guitar or playing the Rhodes 73?  Why?  (This first question was prompted by a conversation with another Ezralite at the Christmas shows.  I’ve wondered since then which he enjoys playing more.)

J:  Hmmmmm...  I suppose having skills at the keys would come secondary to guitar because that is what I learned to play first.  I have always considered myself a songwriter more than a "player" anyway... So, any praise with either instrument is appreciated.  I wanted to be Stevie Ray/Leo Kottke when I started out.

LL:  In writing your own songs, is there anything in particular that you look to for inspiration?  Where do your ideas come from?  Who or what are you inspirations?

J:  Songwriting for me is a daily thing whether I get anything good or not.  It is sometimes a grind.  Usually the best ideas... and the only ones I really pursue further... come very fast.  With the lyrics and melody coming down easily.  They can be about nothing and sometimes still move me to finish them.  I am reading Neil Young's biography... and I admire his admitting having the songs find him rather than him writing them.  From love to toothpicks... no consequence to subject matter.  I can only aspire to be that good... with the ranks of B. Dylan, E. Costello and so many others.  The great ones.

LL:  What are the five albums that you can't live without?

J:  It's just too hard to narrow down five essential albums... So how about some that I've been listening to in heavy rotation:
 
a.) Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights.
b.) The Shins - Oh, Inverted World.
c.) Big Star - #1 Record/Radio City.
d.) Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison.
e.) Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music.

LL:  What would someone be surprised to find in your CD collection?

J:  I have everything from Mozart to Motown in my CD collection... growing more by the minute. I dig me some Burt Bacharach.  He's all about the white bucks and a snappy melody.

LL:  If you weren't as musically inclined as you are, what would you be doing for a living?

J:  If not rocking... I think I'd be a shepherd... or a super hero (That could work – If he were a shepherd I’d follow – and if he were a super hero – I’d let him rescue me – even if he did have on red tights.)

Jim Payne in his Familiar Stage Position
(Photo: Laura Leigh)

LL:  What is your favorite song to play?  Why?

J:  My favorite song live is probably "Sincerely Me."  I'm busy on that one... and I like getting busy.  Ha.  In my home I like playing Merle Haggard songs on acoustic.

LL:  How long have you been playing?  Who or what hooked you?  What is your musical background?

J:  I started playing in high school and college.  I had friends who were really talented that taught me a lot.  Plus, music was always playing in my home.  We had a piano... My father had an extensive album collection... and mom is a very talented singer and musician.  But I got hooked by U2 and R.E.M. licks.  That was it for me... to learn them on guitar.

LL:  How would you describe yourself?  What is important to you?

J:  Who am I?  Hmmmmm... tough one.  I like skinny skiing... Bullfights on acid.  Ha ha.  No.... really I'm just your average, every day movie buff and Funyuns junkie.

LL:  What do you want to see in your future?

J:  I would love to play music until I croak.  But someday a family will be pleasant.

LL:  If your life -- as it is right now -- were to be made into a soundtrack -- what are the top five songs that would be on your soundtrack?

J:  First of all, my life is a soundtrack.  It is constantly in the background.  In the early morning... Miles Davis while I clean up.  Late morning... some Bjork to gain perspective.  Then some Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"... because I want to get myself fired up against the world outside.

Lunchtime brings some radio surfing because I want to know who's hip and who's drip.  Later on I'm getting sleepy from the hoagie I ate, so Van Halen's "Fair Warning" peps me up again.  While online in the afternoon, I'll graze in pastures of modern rock like Jet and some White Stripes.  Which brings us into evening meltdown with some early blues i.e. Skip James or Mississippi John Hurt.  Late at night I'm busy prowling clubs for live rock.  Or making music of my own.  Yes, that's right.

###

There you have it.  That's James Arthur Payne, Jr.  He's still Jim Payne the man -- but maybe a little less of a mystery now.

Some day I hope very much to hear the music this talented man makes on his own. But, until that day comes, I'm happy to go to BTE shows and go on the occasional Widespread Galactic Cheese Trip...

Jim Payne Rocking Out
(Photo: Laura Leigh)

Thanks so much for sharing with the Serenade and its readers, Mr. Payne.  And thank you, Laura Leigh, for another wonderful contribution.