Billy Doors Petty "Tribute" Interview
www.BillyDoorsPetty.com
Interview by Roger Zee (08/18/22)
Roger Zee: How did the Billy Doors Petty Band come together?
Mitch Saul: As the lead singer and front man for my brainchild, the Billy Doors Petty Show, I put together the first and only, one-of-a-kind trifecta tribute show in America. We play the music of Billy Joel, Tom Petty, and The Doors. Though all showcase very different music styles, these monster icons of the music industry combine for something very new and different for people to enjoy -- a three in one concert situation that audiences of all ages, and lifestyles just love!
Finding a superb keyboard player that could master the Billy Joel and the Doors keyboards parts would prove crucial to the success of the show. Fortunately we met Andy Winston. Winston's a studied Billy Joel performer who's immersed himself in the Doors and Petty repertoire, learning solos note-for-note, grabbing samples, and finding the right sounds.
Through the audition process, we luckily found fantastic players like guitarist Dave Kerzner who brings dynamite guitar skills, licks, and solos that elevate the band's performance to extremely entertaining levels. On drums, Chris Vieitez gives the perfect timing, feel, and excitement to this music.
Then there's Robert Corbisiero on bass. His style perfectly fills out the bottom creating a very strong, dynamic and powerful rhythm section. The icing on the cake came when we added Ray Hendricks on sax. He perfectly sweetens the Billy Joel material as well as “Touch Me” by The Doors.
RZ: Where does the band usually perform?
MS: The Billy Doors Petty Show (BDP) mostly plays the tri-state circuit of NY, NJ, and CT. BDP appears at club dates, private parties, corporate gigs, performing art centers, town performances, and special events of all kinds.
RZ: What specific instruments/amps/mics do you currently use?
MS: Dave uses a Variax guitar with Henry Amplification combo amps and a wide range of pedals. Rob uses Epifani bass amplification with Begantino cabs and an Erick Gold Series bass. Andy bases his keyboard setup on the Mac-driven Native Instruments Komplete sound library along with the Komplete Kontrol MIDI controller. Chris uses DW drums with Tama hardware. Mitch owns a Senheiser wireless mic system and Ray keeps a Shure wireless mic for his saxes.
RZ: Talk about your home studio.
MS: A few years back, I decided to devote a large portion of my home’s lower level to band rehearsals. To make the space more comfortable and inviting, I added acoustic treatments and upgraded the wiring.
BDP rehearses around four to five times a month outside our gigging schedule. We created a list of the biggest hits of these icons and we were determined to learn them all. We add a few songs to the agenda at a time. Each member does their homework and when we get together, we work out the details like backing vocals and endings. We can’t fade out like the original recordings!
RZ: Any personnel crossover with your other band, Kick Start Charlie?
MS: Mitch, Dave, and Andy work in both the BDP Show and Kick Start Charlie. That level of interpersonal musical connection and familiarity makes an enormous impact in creating great arrangements and a comfortable performance. Musically, the two bands remain completely distinct with no overlapping of artists or songs. The biggest crossover occurs with the fans!
RZ: How has the Pandemic affected you? What's on the horizon?
MS: The Pandemic certainly affected our progress, even the whole music industry for a time. But now our gigs come in on a somewhat regular basis. On the horizon, we aim for more and bigger shows.
We started to receive inquiries for some pretty large events. We see this project as appropriate for theaters, bigger venues, and larger corporate gatherings.
RZ: Describe your most special and/or unusual gig.
MS: Our BDP show concept's fairly new. It overwhelms us when the audience sings along to most of our repertoire. It creates a special bond and a unique energy between the band members and the fans.
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
MS: Music will always play an intricate part of people's lives. Music heals, motivates, and sets the boundaries to life, memories, and expression. It came in many forms way before we got here and will remain way after everyone who reads this...
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
MS: We all know making a living in the arts feels exceptionally difficult. You need talent, grit, and luck in almost equal amounts. So practice hard, listen carefully, check your ego at the door, and try not to say "no." Get versatile and comfortable with self-promotion or prepare to pay someone to do it for you. Be fearless. Become the musician others love to share the stage with. Show up prepared.
Remember, you can find many ways to make money in the industry. Protect your ears/voice/body -- respect pain! And most of all, make it fun. Totally enjoy what you do!
RZ: Do you live with any animals?
MS: Some members of the band keep dogs and cats.
RZ: Anything else you'd like to add?
MS: When's the last time you came to see a Billy Doors Petty Show? Get all the info you need about the band at www.BillyDoorsPetty.com. We hope to see you soon!
YouTube - "My Life" - Billy Doors Petty Show
YouTube - "Touch Me" - Billy Doors Petty Show
YouTube - "Even the Losers" - Billy Doors Petty Show
©2022 Roger Zee
