I chatted with Tom Principato about his long career and his upcoming CD/DVD release party.

Q: Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Falls Church, Virginia.

 

Q: Do you have musical influences?

Oh quite a few. My parents had an eclectic record collection. Les Paul, The Beatles, Charlie Christian..B.B. King is probably one of my favorite artists of all time.

 

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

Well, it’s kind of a funny thing. By the time I was 15, I had been playing for a few years. When all of my friends were figuring out what they wanted to do with their lives, I already knew I wanted to play music.

 

Q: What is your favorite song of yours that you’ve written and why?

Oh that’s tough. I’ve written about 75 or 80 songs at this point. I would have to say “Rain Came Pouring Down.” Audiences consistently connect and ask for that one.

 

Q: You’ve released a ton of albums at this point in your career. How have you grown from album number one to now?

I started out doing covers, throwing in an original spin on them. I started expressing myself in my writing and composing. What we perform now is 80-90% original.

 

Q: How does it feel to have won 22 WAMMY Awards?

::laughs:: It’s actually, 29 but who’s counting? It’s been an honor to receive every single one.

 

Q: Why did you decide to release a CD/DVD combo this go around?

We have a very tight ensemble on stage. We know how each other moves and breathes. I don’t have any recent LIVE stuff of ours, so I thought the time had come.

 

Q: Why name the release “Live and STILL Kicking?”

I have a LIVE CD from the 90’s called “Live and Kicking.” So it’s a sequel of sorts.

 

Q: Are you excited about your CD/DVD release party at Rams Head On Stage September 13th?

Oh yeah. We haven’t played Rams Head in a while. Our fans are great there..we missed them!

Tom Principato releases his CD/DVD “Live and STILL Kickin'” September 13th at Rams Head On Stage.

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Visit Tom’s Official Website

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