Today I had the pleasure of chatting with Mikey McKinnie, one of eight the members of the Blind Boys of Alabama. Mikey and the Boys are heading North this weekend to play at Toronto’s prestigious Roy Thompson Hall on December 8th to promote their latest album Talkin’ Christmas with Taj Mahal. Oh.. and if you read to the end we might have a chance to win tickets to the show!
Sound Check: Mikey, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today, maybe we could start off with the new album Talkin’ Christmas you worked on that with Taj Mahal maybe tell us a bit about how it all came together?
Mikey McKinnie: Well, we always try and do something different and we have known Taj Mahal for awhile, so we decided we wanted to do another Christmas record rather than another standard record. Producer Chris Goldsmith got us in touch with Taj Mahal and we got together to write some songs and lyrics and put a spin on some of the traditional Christmas songs. Taj Mahal and the Blind Boys and Chris Goldsmith we all came up with some ideas and we did a record and its Talkin’ Christmas.
Sound Check: I had a chance to listen to the album and it sure gets you into the spirit of the season.
Mikey McKinnie: Thats what its suppose to do. Get ya smilin’
Sound Check: Being veterans in the industry, and being together since 1944 from the days in Talladega, Alabama and Grammy’s under your belt. What do you take from the experience of all your previous albums into keeping it fresh on the latest album?
Mikey McKinnie: Well in order to do a fresh thing you need to use fresh people, so what we do, we go out and get producers that have good ideas and thats what keeps us going. Every album we have done so far has had different producers to come in and bring there ideas and styles and were the kind of group that are open minded and we don’t mind working with people that want to work with us.
Sound Check: Being a big country music fan I know you have worked with Jamey Johnson how was that experience?
Mikey McKinnie: I just saw Jamey the other day, Jamey was a very exciting guy, he came in and his spirit is good. He likes gospel music and Country and Gospel music go hand in hand. He knows a lot of people and just about anybody you can think of, Jamey knew them and so we just called up some of his friends and some of our friends and we made it work. We thank God for Jamey and that experience.
Sound Check: December 8th your playing Roy Thompson Hall, will this be your first visit to Toronto?
Mikey McKinnie: No actually we have been to Toronto, many many times, I think a couple years back is when we were there last. But we are coming back and we are going to have a good time just like we did last time.
Sound Check: We touched on it a bit earlier about keeping it fresh, just wondering where you pull your inspiration from for your albums, I know this is a Christmas album but what about some of your previous albums?
Mikey McKinnie: Well you know we are a group that are very much into the church and all of our families are in the church. We get our inspiration from the higher, we have been singing gospel music for a long and by singing gospel and staying true to what we do the Lord has been a true inspiration.
Sound Check: In all the years you have been performing and working together, is there something that stands out as a personal favorite moment?
Mikey McKinnie: We are grateful for everything from this, for every award and for every person who has been a part of that. To be able to go to the White House three times is quite a deal for the Blind Boys and each one of the Presidents were really nice to the Blind Boys. We sang and they enjoyed us being there and we enjoyed being there. It was Clinton, Bush and President Obama that we have performed for and it truly was an honor for the Blind Boys to sing for them.
Sound Check: That must have been a real thrill to perform for them.
Mikey McKinnie: Ya it was it was one of the highlights of our career.
Sound Check: Is there anyone in the mainstream current music scene today that you would really want to work with?
Mikey McKinnie: Well, can’t really say, we leave our avenues open. If there is someone that wants to work with the Blind Boys we are willing to give it a try. We don’t have anybody in particular that we want to work with. As long as the music is good music and the words are good we don’t mind doing a song.
Sound Check: When you put everyone together (8 Regulars in the Group) and you get going it just seems like your having a good time?
Mickey McKinnie: We do, we have a great time when we hit the stage, we let the people know that we don’t like a conservative crowd we like a noisy crowd, and when the people get into it we get into it and we just have a good time just like back home.
Sound Check: So on December 8th I guess we have a good time and some great music and Christmas cheer in store?
Mickey McKinnie: Thats right, if your feeling bad or feeling sad the place to be is right there with the Blind Boys of Alabama because were going to make ya feel glad with our music. If you feel like dancing, clapping your hands and doing a sing along, come on and see the Blind Boys. Its going to be a show and all I can say is don’t miss it when the boys are back in town.
Sound Check: Thanks Mickey really appreciate your time.
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
Don’t miss The Blind Boys of Alabama on tour for Talkin’ Christmas with Taj Mahal
Or pick up the album here.
If you would like to catch the Blind Boys in Toronto this Monday just comment below by Friday at 3PM and you will be entered into the draw.
Blind Boys of Alabama
