Norway, Michigan
Marion Park Summerfest Concert

June 28, 1998

Backstage Interview Highlights With Gerry and Dewey

by Steve Orchard

Gerry

Steve: How great does it feel to have a new album coming out after 4 years?

Gerry: Back in the 70s, we met to put out an album every year. To be honest, it got to be like a regular occurance. Having four years between albums is really great because it's given us a lot of time to build up a really good group of songs. I think the album really reflects that.

Steve: (There is) a lot on your internet site. You have a rabid fan base. You have people like Rick Wahlgren, (horsewithnoname.com and the America Home Page) Steve Lowry, (America Fans Page) and John Corbett (Comprehensive History of America) that are putting their heart and soul into it. How does it make you feel?

Gerry: Well, it's obviously really a fantastic deal of work these guys have done and we're very greatful to them. Something that I used to hear a lot from people was that they didn't know we were playing....... now we never hear that..... and now people can go to the site and know where we're going to be.

Steve: 1997 was your best year on the road. I find that hard to believe after 25 years!

Gerry: We've had a very fortunate career that we've had a following all over the world, so we can keep ourselves pretty busy internationally.... although we spend a lot of time in the states.

Steve: We hope that Human Nature does well....

Gerry: We're going to put a good year or two into promoting this record and they're (Oxygen) very excited about it and we've happy to be with them.

Steve: We're going to keep on playing (America music on radio) especially for the fans on the Internet site who are crazy (about America)

Gerry: It's been awarded quite a few times as one of the best music sites, not just in classic rock, but in all music groups, so we appreciate the great job they're doing. When people go there they see there's over 400 pages of information.

Gerry: Absolutely. Dewey and I go in when we can, and we both have laptops and stay in touch.

Steve: One final comment. You made a solo album a few years back, "Van Go Gan"...... any other plans for another solo album?

Gerry: I'd love to do another one and I had the greatest time doing that. I'm proud of that album..... I'm still busy getting it released in the states.

Dewey

Steve: First of all, did you see the article in Billboard Magazine this week.... a big two page story?

Dewey: ....... Oxygen sent me a copy of the article.... I was very flattered....

Steve: There was a comment in the story from a music director..... who said the new album might have more pull if original member Dan Peek were back in the band.

Dewey: ...... I understand that sentiment..... people want everything back in it's pristine order... with the evolution of life and the band.... things change and they're going to change forever. And he might be right.... there's lots of people that would like to see an America reunion but we've already talked it over and over..... life has changed and Gerry and I have forged on since 1977 without Dan..... and we're very comfortable and Dan's really happy with his life too.

Steve: Next month, One Way Records finally has decided to reissue four America albums.... the Capitol albums (Silent Letter, Alibi, Perspective, Your Move). How do you feel about these albums coming out for the people in the states. (Steve mentioned that three of the four are available as French imports)

Dewey: I think that's terrific....... the whole CD format....... obviously our bigger years and these albums were all in vinyl back then, and it's very nice to have them in CD format so you can hop around and find tracks you like..... and the quality is better.

Steve: Best of luck Dewey in the future. Keep on touring and recording!

After the interview Gerry and Dewey autographed Steve's copy of Silent Letter which can be seen in the photos above.

Note: Special thanks go to Steve Orchard for making the photos available and for doing the interview.