A Dirty Dozen with JON WARD from FORTUNE CHILD – February 2022

According to a recent press release: “Jacksonville, FL based Rock band FORTUNE CHILD has released the sophomore single, “Slow Down.” Showcasing their 70’s rock proficiency, the guitar driven track is off of the band’s upcoming, debut LP, Close to the Sun, which is produced by the legendary Kevin Elson (Journey, Mr. Big, Europe, and Lynyrd Skynyrd). It’s no secret that these North Florida natives respect their Rock ‘N’ Roll elders. It’s the true feel of the 70’s (bell bottoms, mustaches and all) but with a touch of modern flair. Having just formed in 2021, Fortune Child (Christian Powers/ vocals, Buddy Crump/ lead guitar, Melanie Jo/ drums, Jon Ward/bass) has quickly garnered the support of the Southeast US Rock ‘N’ Roll scene and will continue to do so with each passing day. These cats know how to rock, and it seems that there’s no stopping them once those first notes rip through the air.” We get bassist Jon to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Most of the songs are pretty straightforward, by design. We wanted to harken back to a time when there weren’t too many extra layers added to tracks – the days when the band just performed the song, and that was that. That being said, “Tie The Line” has a bit more background elements than the other songs. There is a breakdown section in the middle that has an organ drone in the background, and the only background vocals on the record. When the climax of the song kicks in right after that, there are two acoustic guitars – a six string and a twelve string – layered behind the electric guitar that give it a really cool extra wide texture.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

For me personally, I knew I wanted to be a musician pretty much as far back as I could remember. My parents had me learn piano since I was just four or five years old, and I taught myself guitar and bass around age 10 or 11. Music was the only career path I had much interest in ever since then.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I think all of us in Fortune Child grew up with two big musical influences in common – the vintage, classic rock of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free, and so on, and the beloved 90’s and 2000’s rock that was big when we were growing up – Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Tool, The Mars Volta, etc. Those two threads guided all of us coming up, and merge in a satisfying way in the Fortune Child sound.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

In a dream world, Jimmy Page! I think Led Zeppelin is collectively our favorite band – seeing him work in person would be a dream come true.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

All four of us are a lot different and have unique hobbies. Personally, I love to read books and play video games to recharge. I know Christian (vocals) is a great surfer, and when Buddy isn’t in the studio or on tour, I’m pretty sure he’d still be playing guitar anyways!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

The summary we’ve arrived at is that it’s a reimagining of the vintage rock that we love from the 60’s and 70’s, with a modern coat of paint influenced by the rock that we grew up with in the 90’s and 2000’s, and our current tastes/aesthetic senses. I haven’t seen any statements yet that made me cringe. Maybe one will come up someday… but for now, all press is good press!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I am sad to say that we haven’t done much group cooking yet – but that is going on the list! Christian and I have definitely enjoyed a glass of whiskey or tequila together from time to time, and I’d say our guitarist Buddy is the most prone to initiate a jam. But all four of us are always ready to join in!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I recently saw Tool on their last tour, in Orlando. I was right up on the front corner, near Justin Chancellor’s side. He’s one of my favorite bass players in the world. That bright, electrifying Tool bass tone is unmatched. Watching him up close was amazing and definitely had me a bit starstruck.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think the best part of being musicians is the variety and freedom it allows in our lives – not being beholden to a 9 to 5 schedule, but instead being free to use our time as we see fit and create things we love and choose our work schedule and parameters on our own terms. If we couldn’t be musicians, personally – I can’t speak for the others – I would still love to be in the creative field, maybe as an artist or graphic designer.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I have to admit, I don’t think we’ve had enough interviews to have an answer to this!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not necessarily. Things have gone wrong in our past, but every event or apparent misstep brought us to where we are now and was a learning experience! We love what we are doing now, and I don’t think there’s anything we would change.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

There are several contenders for that question! But as a group we’d probably have to say Led Zeppelin IV – how awesome would it be to watch the making of “Black Dog,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “When the Levee Breaks,” etc.? It’s a record filled with magical genre-defining classics.

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Category: Interviews