Gunnar Nelson
Stephanie DeLuca: Nelson has a new album entitled 'Lightning Strikes Twice' coming out this fall. Can you tell me a little bit about the album?
Gunnar Nelson: I'm still recording in the studio right now. On our first record we had four original hits and had lots of melody…This time around, there are 12 songs and one for Japan because Japan always wants to be treated special.
SD: What inspired you and your brother to make this new album?
GN: We always wanted to do this…this was a rare opportunity and it was just like we picked up where we left off. Nelson came back together after 15 years and we're moving forward into new land.
SD: You are currently on the 'Ricky Nelson Remembered' tour. How is the tour going so far?
GN: It's going great. I get to be schizophrenic with my music right now and it's great. I get to sing rock songs from my father to singing hard rock and metal. Being schizophrenic really pays off.
SD: How does it feel to be back after so long?
GN: It feels great. It feels like I never left.
SD: Do you get nervous before you go on stage?
GN: I never get uncomfortable or nervous, I get excited. The second I feel nervous, I'm going to hang up my spurs and stop making music.
SD: Do the fans still have the same energy from when you performed years ago?
GN: I don't think so. Our first success was really rare because at that time there was 'N SYNC and New Kids On the Black hysteria and we were a rock band…The fans back then were mainly girls screaming and singing our songs. And now the teenage girls that grew up with us have their own lives and families of their own.
SD: Do you think the Nelson legacy will continue?
GN: I can only hope. I lived my life. In 15 years from now, I have no idea what the future holds. My family has been in this business for over 100 years. My grandparents went from radio to television. They worked their asses off and they were always on the road. With new technology of radio and television my grandparents had to evolve with those times. My father was a video artist…and now there are 3,000 channels with nothing to watch (laugh). So if my future children want to continue in the entertainment business I will definitely not discourage it.
SD: I read that you are working on your second solo track for Disney. How did this come about?
GN: Fred Mullins contacted me to work on a song for the Disney movie 'Cars.' I first recorded 'Rockin' Little Roadster' for the 'Cars' soundtrack. Now I'm working on a song called 'Band in a Van.' Working with Fred was effortless…Sometimes I don't even know a song has been released until a get a phone call from a friend saying, 'Hey I didn't know you recorded this song, my kid is rockin' out to it in the minivan.'
SD: Have you ever thought of working on a solo album?
GN: Yes, everyday. I want to work on something by myself and make music that is identifying to me. Everyone thinks of me as Ricky Nelson's son or Matt's brother or Ozzie's grandson or Harriet's grandson but that's not all who I am…I would make my album personal and it would be nice to listen to. Making records back then cost a half a million dollars. It was constantly costing me money every time I stepped into the studio. I felt pressured to finish a song in a certain amount of time because of all the money I would spend. But now you can do it all for free on your Mac laptop…and it records great sound. Now I can take my time recording a song without feeling pressured.
SD: Is there anything else that you're working on?
GN: I'm actually working on a television show with my brothers called, 'Everything Relative.' Me and Matt will be working with our younger brother, Sam. The show will be about us in the studio recording together…We're still in the pitching stages but we should be filming with the next few months.
SD: Is there anything you haven't done yet that you want to do?
GN: I think I had a kick ass life. I would like to work with my younger brother Sam and have a three part harmony…I want to be like the modern day Eagles…if it works out that would be great.