Interview with Pete Price

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

My first interaction with music was as a singer in our church choir. I was selected as a soloist before my voice changed and it gave me confidence that I had some musical ability. In grade school, I played the trumpet, but around the end of 6th grade, I was asked to sing with a group of classmates who had formed a band, covering Beatles, Stones, Kinks, and other popular bands songs from the mid-60's. I bought my first guitar soon after and started picking up folk music and a lot of Bob Dylan songs.

Not having to work for a living anymore, I've really been able to devote a lot more time to my songwriting and guitar playing. I believe I've gotten a lot better at both. If I didn't have music, I'd be a serious cyclist and fitness nut. As it is, I'm careful about my hands, especially during the summer, which is our usual performance season. I usually don't golf the day before a show and I'm a lot more careful about mountain biking now that I'm playing a lot more. 

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love to read, to study foreign languages, (Italian, French, and German), travel, and hang out with my wife and family. Time away from music refreshes my mind.

How long have you been making music?

This will date me, but 60 years more or less.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I live in southwest Ohio, based near Dayton. Dayton has an incredible Indy music scene and I'm able to play with some very good musicians here. It's probably like this in other places but I think Dayton punches way above its weight as a vibrant music scene.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven't played live what is your vision for a live show?

Gosh, I've opened for some famous musicians and bands such as Foghat, The Guess Who, Martina McBride, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mick Fleetwood, Steve Morse,.. to name a few. In May I get to open for John Batdorf as a solo. John became well known as part of "Batdorf and Rodney" back in the '70's-'80's. Great songwriter and wonderful guitarist. I'm excited for the opportunity!  As I mentioned, I work solo, play in a duo, and also have played in "The Fries Band" for over 30 years now. I play anywhere from the local wine bar to shows with as many as 5,000 people in the audience. It's all fun! 

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Centerville, a suburb of Dayton has been very good to "The Fries Band" and we play many of their events. They have an outdoor amphitheater that seats 5K or more and it's a great place to play! Dayton has a place downtown called The Levitt Pavilion which is a wonderful venue. I love playing there and always jump at the opportunity.  The Fries had an opportunity to play the Cavern Club in Liverpool but we couldn't coordinate schedules, etc. so we had to pass. That would've been cool!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I think my style of music would go well with someone like Jackson Browne. Opening up for him would be the best!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Play every day. Your skills build little by little. Make time an asset not an enemy. Follow your own muse, don't let others define you or succumb to the expectations of others.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I'm happy with all of them for different reasons. Some have been better received than others but that's not a reason for me to prefer one over another. "Common Ground" talks about the political discord in our country and how we need to find ways to start talking to each other again even though we might disagree on some things. I'm really glad that we seem to be moving past the "cancel culture" and beginning to value free speech again.Being able to discuss opposing views in a civilized way is critical to building a better society. 

"Old Movies and You" just has a great message, which is; show those special people in your life how much you love them as often as you can. Don't wait until they're no longer with you to realize how much they meant to you.

"The Road Ahead" is from the latest album, Pictures In Time and although it hasn't been mentioned much in reviews, it's one of my favorites because it was a departure from how I usually structure a song. And the musicianship of the "Price Brothers band" is fantastic!

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

The songs from "Department of the Interior" are better known so they get requested more, although the ones from "Pictures In Time" are becoming better known now. "Old Movies and You, Common Ground, and Before I Go" are most requested. "Long Lake" is moving up the list.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

It seems like I'm always thinking about music in some shape or form. I'm much more cognizant of my thoughts and making sure I record or write down all my random musical ideas. When it's songwriting time, I'll usually refer to my catalogue of ideas if I get stuck or need some extra inspiration. Thanks to the advent of smartphones, I'm nearly always able to capture my ideas in real time. Some mornings, I wake up with a song in my head and I rush to grab the guitar and notepad to get it down before it takes flight. Other times, I find a chord progression, a musical hook or a phrase that I like and build the song around that.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

I've always considered myself a student of life3 and although some of my friends might call me a slow learner, I'm constantly looking for little things to improve my life and to make myself and those around me more happy. I often try to share some of those ideas in my writing.

 Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

Current single is "House of Mirrors", which explores the theme that if we're not self aware, we can become our own jailer and, as one example, limit ourselves by not taking calculated risks. I think a lot of people got trapped in their personal echo chamber during Covid. Coming out next is "This Time", which is about not limiting yourself by worrying about what others think of you. That shouldn't matter.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I'd like to do one or two shows a month throughout the winter and spring and then The Fries Band gears up this summer...we already have a dozen shows booked....outdoor festival type stuff. I'll probably start getting the urge to start working on material for another album sometime this year...probably after I'm done promoting Pictures In Time.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Just go to my website, www.petepricemusic.com -Links to my socials, youtube channel and information about shows and music are all there.