A Dirty Dozen with AARON LETRICK from LETRICK OLSON – June 2023

According to a recent press release: “LETRICK OLSON is comprised of singer/songwriter Aaron Letrick (LetricKramer, House of Usher), legendary Guitarist Kenny Olson (Kid Rock, Experience Hendrix), Keyboardist Jimmie Bones (Kid Rock), Drummer Jason Hartless (Ted Nugent) and Bassist Kevin Chown (Tarja, Sebastian Bach, Chad Smith’s BombasticMeatbats). The collaboration is the culmination of decades of friendship and musical intermingling. Having been friends forever, Letrick and Olson always wanted to work together, but Kenny’s music career took off and Letrick moved to New York for a 10 year stint as a resident DJ with legendary Adult Entertainment staple, Scores, of Howard Stern fame. On March 27, 2022, Letrick was struck by tragedy. In an alcohol related car accident, he lost his love, Willow, his raven haired, hazel eyed beauty. Devastated, he found himself at the one place where things made sense. His piano. The writing of the song served as his therapy and salvation. With help from Olson, Bones, Hartless and Chown the result is a hauntingly beautiful, emotional ode to Willow.” We get Aaron 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 the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Willow” is a true story based on the loss of my girlfriend that was killed by a drunk driver. All the subtle guitar parts Kenny played sometimes sound like crying.

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

I remember sitting on the floor while my grandfather listened to Barbra Streisand  sing “Memory” from CATS. When she hit that low note on ‘Every Streetlamp…’ it brought a tear to his eye. I knew then and there I had to be a part of music.

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

Early Elton John or Journey Infinity. Steve Perry’s first album!

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Elton John, Steve Perry, Johnny Mathis, Burton Cummings and David Pack from Ambrosia.

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

Elton John has written so many of my favorite songs it would be incredible to go through the process with him!

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?

Real rock played on real instruments by real musicians on real subjects.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Expressive freedom. Writing “Willow” was how I grieved.

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

I grill and everyone drinks. Jason and I like good Jack.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Every time I get on stage with these guys.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Full-time record producer.

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?

Way back in the PLEEZER days i was trying to sing like the 80’s hairband guys. My instincts were to sing in a lower range and sure enough Eddie Vedder proved me right… too little too late for that band.

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?

Probably Moving Pictures by RUSH. I still wanted to be a drummer then and it mustve been incredible watching these guys create.

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Category: Interviews