How did this project come together?

My forthcoming project Muzik 4 The Soul started taking shape after Lynne Fiddmont, James Raymond and I wrote the song, More Love.

More Love was born 4 years ago as I was bothered by the division I saw amongst friends, family, and the world in general. I especially had a problem with those who consider themselves Christian or spiritual, which I am one, and the lack of love I perceived and witnessed. It grieved me and so I began writing the lyrics trying to communicate a message of encouragement for us to truly demonstrate the love we say we have for one another despite our differences of opinions.

How would you describe your sound and songwriting approach to music?

I think my songwriting approach is rooted in all the great songwriters I have admired over the years, Stevie, Skip Scarborough, Wayne Shorter, Lennon, and McCartney, Donny Hathaway, Leon Ware, Bacharach and David, Milton Nascimento, too many more to mention. But I try to reach beyond the borders of genres to just write a great song.

What talent influenced you the most towards creating your own style and sound?

Hard to say since I have had so many huge influences, but probably growing up, hanging out at my friend Alan Norris’ house listening to all types of music, Weather Report, Pat Benatar, Sly, Jimi Hendrix, Tower of Power, James Brown, Parliament, Herbie Hancock, Rush, we were all over the map. As well as obviously at home with 7 brothers and sisters hearing everything from Motown to Gamble and Huff, B.B. King, and Broadway soundtracks.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? Or that you may have contributed to this point?

I don’t know, that may be a better question for those I have worked with, but I try to bring a certain authenticity to every song and situation I find myself in, particularly as a bass player. I try to bring knowledge and respect for every genre and opportunity I am a part of.

The Main Thing, to me, is the song.
However I can creatively enhance and support the message, whether it’s from a vocalist or soloist, this is the priority.

How do you spend your days today?

I try to balance each day with taking care of family business, spending time with my wife, working on my craft in a variety of ways, reading, watching some sports, and keeping up with current events. I don’t always succeed at balancing these things especially when a musical idea is flowing but I try.

What is your teaching approach if you have one?

My basic approach to teaching is getting out of your comfort zone, that there is always something to learn by exploring concepts that are unfamiliar, like exploring a style of music that is not necessarily your favorite. So introducing the student to new concepts while reinforcing the standards or foundations.

What would you share with new up-and-coming talent?

Just to stay humble, stay inquisitive, learn the business part of music, write, learn piano or guitar, sing, learn the role of each instrument even if you can’t play it. Keep growing and developing.

What is your dream band that you have already worked with or would like to?

Probably a particular tour with Al Jarreau. It was a dream gig for me anyway since I was such a fan of Al’s music, but this one tour we had Neil Larsen, Larry Williams, Steve Gadd, and Icarus Johnson, all these guys that I admired coming up, not to mention the great Alwin, a pinch yourself moment for sure.

What’s your favorite recording in your discography and why?

Many favorites, all of the Lynne Fiddmont discography is among my favorites, but the song I co-wrote for Al Jarreau, “Flame”, holds a special place in my heart. There have been 3 cover versions of this song which is also flattering. Two by Al including one on a Grammy-nominated record and one by Al’s music director Chris Walker who is a great singer.

What are your 3 or 5 favorite personally written songs?

I like each one for different reasons, but Flame for sure, Cupid and More Love both of which I wrote with Lynne and James Raymond ironically are definitely among my favorites. There are a couple that have not been released yet that I really love as well.

The first recording that you purchased was?

I remember Curtis Mayfield, Back to the World (8 track), it’s the first I can remember, 1973, I was in junior high school.

What was it about that music that stayed with you?

Man, Curtis was so soulful, that voice and what a great songwriter and producer, another role model for me. When you are writing songs that people are still using on TV commercials and movies 50 or 60 years later that is saying something. I have to give a shout-out to his bass player Joseph “Lucky” Scott, a bad dude that created some memorable yet foundational bass lines.

What special songs do you just love?

Superwoman (Stevie), Sack Full of Dreams (Donny Hathaway), The Island (Ivan Lins), God is Love (Marvin Gaye), just way too many, I shouldn’t even start.

What current music are you listening to now?

I like to revisit old stuff, some classics, or some that I was aware of but missed some subtleties, for instance, D.J. Rogers is one and his collection of bass players, Keith Hatchel, Keni Burke, and Robert Wilson were just killing it. I am also listening to some newer young artists that I discovered while checking out the UK Soul Charts. There is always an opportunity to grow and expand our knowledge by going back and looking ahead.

Albums: Mostly singles
Artist name: D.J. Rogers
Album title: On The Road Again
Record label: RCA

Road Story: Your best or worst experience

My worst probably was when we did the live Whitney Houston concert on HBO, it was 2 days, all live to TV, supposed to be a DVD and CD as well, the first day was flawless, the second day I hit a spot in a song where I almost panicked after playing a couple of bad notes, just the worst feeling, but I recovered, fortunately, had to shake it off the best I could, but it still bothered me.

What is your greatest fear when you perform or record?

I still occasionally fear somebody will not like something I did as much as I liked it. You get excited about something but you can not become too married to an idea, specifically in collaborating because it’s all subjective, everybody has an opinion on what’s good or not.

Favorite venues: Any venue that you just loved

Montreux Jazz Festival, not necessarily sonically, just such a supercharged atmosphere.

How would you describe the state of music today?

It’s definitely different, a lot more opportunities for independent artists, but technology, which I embrace, has changed the dynamics of the business. I ask myself sometimes, What is the motivation, practically speaking, for a songwriter to write a great song these days? Royalties are terrible, there are few record deals, short attention spans and there doesn’t seem to be the same level of appreciation for that craft, yet I push on.

What are your thoughts on the future of live performances?

It has evolved just like everything else. I embrace technology but I do still appreciate a live performance by musicians playing their instruments in real-time. But with all the technology available to use in production I understand why it is becoming harder and harder to reproduce a recording live without the aid of pre-recorded assistance.

What about now due to Covid 19?

Covid is a whole other thing, it has at least temporarily killed live music but I also think it has given us an opportunity to grow and excel in other areas if we choose.

What are some of the essential requirements that you believe would keep music alive and thriving?

That is the 50 million dollar question because songwriters today don’t seem to be as motivated to write great songs. I think fair compensation might help to motivate and encourage legacy songwriters to continue and push forward to create new and innovative songs, other than that there are new and up and coming songwriters and performers that are excited just to be doing what they love and have somebody listen whether they are compensated fairly or not.

Do you have any thoughts on the next phase of the live performance and touring industry?

That is a big unknown, it doesn’t affect me as much personally because at this point in my career, having traveled the world a number of times, I really enjoy being creative in the studio. There is nothing like that energy from a live audience though. But for those who haven’t had the opportunity to play extensively live as I have, I feel sorry for and hope that things open up and venues see a resurgence.

How do you describe the magic in writing songs?

That’s elusive, I wish I could capture that in a jar Lol. But for the most part, I do know it when I hear it, when something is great I can listen over and over and it doesn’t get old.

What song would you like to be remembered for, recording or performing?

I don’t know if I have one yet, there are many songs and performances that I am proud of but I continue to push for that newest greatest thing.

What is your favorite song to hum or sing?

It changes, normally whatever catchy melody that caught my attention that day, for instance, today it’s Feeling Good by Nina Simone.

Did you know… If I weren’t a musician, maybe I would be…

a teacher,  also I enjoy math as well. I would consider being some sort of engineer. I didn’t necessarily want to be a professional musician, that is why I got a Masters’s Degree in Education. I just loved music and bass.

What is in the near future for you?

I’ll continue to write, produce, hopefully inspire, create, learn and release new music. I wrote a couple of songs over the last few weeks, from start to finish, on a couple of different artists which is somewhat unusual for me. I enjoy the collaboration process but if a song idea is just flowing I finish it.