TNS Interview Exclusive- One Flew South

Royal Reed, Chris Roberts and Eddie Bush have wings. There's absolutely no other explanation that their angelic harmonies and rapturous music could sound so beautiful. It truly is heavenly. Like all the great harmony bands before them- the Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Mamas and the Papas, Boys II Men and Beach Boys all come to mind- One Flew South simply lets the harmony of their voices stand on their own on their first Nashville-based release, Last Of The Good Guys.

The Nashville-based trio's vocal sound fit in perfectly with the progressive thinkers at Decca/Universal Records, in whose New York offices they auditioned. The result was instant signing—both to a recording contract and song publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. But One Flew South is no overnight success. Rather, the three vocalist-songwriters have been involved in show business for years prior to hitting upon a perfect combination--and actualizing a long-held notion of a band starring three superbly matched vocalists.

Chris Roberts was the first future member of the threesome to test the concept. The New Orleans native, who had moved to New York by way of Montana (he met Royal in New York where both had gravitated in pursuit of a music career), ended up in Nashville, where he was encouraged by legendary country music singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin--who had his own stellar career singing lead in a trio with his brothers. Hailing from El Paso, Royal Reed came from a musical family and played in a top circuit country/western band. After working as a studio and demo singer in Los Angeles, he wended his way to New York. Eddie Bush was a certified guitar hero back in his home state of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast. Doing a showcase in the hopes of doing a country album, he connected with Chris and then Royal. The rest, they say, is history.

That Nashville Sound had a chance to sit down in between tour spots with Eddie and Royal for a quick interview. This is what the Last Of The Good Guys had to say:

That Nashville Sound- Who were some of your influences?

Eddie Bush: I was heavily influenced by Glen Campbell/Jimmy Webb, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix,Prince, Eric Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones...so many!

Royal Reed: So many but I'll name my biggest...my grandfathers, both musicians, serious Western Swing and Blues. Willie Nelson, George Strait, Doobie Bros., the Mills Brothers, Jackson Browne, Eagles...and Marty Robbins

What's been some of the highlights of your career since being signed to Decca?

EB: For me, writing songs with J.D. Souther (I'm still pinching myself), being on the CBS Early Show, playing my hometown of Charleston, SC with OFS, playing onstage at The Ryman auditorium with The Gatlin Brothers, and meeting so many enthusiastic OFS supporters from around the country!

RR: The past 4 -5 concerts, to see people recognize our tunes and sing along with us. Loving us loving them!

What's been the biggest surprise since the release of your album?

EB: I think that we're discovering an audience that is eager to hear more true harmony groups. Little Big Town really made a splash singing harmony, and now we're trying to do the same. We get a really special reaction from people about our vocal blend. There are many important harmony oriented groups throughout country music history such as Alabama, Diamond Rio, The Statlers, our friends the Gatlin Brothers and I think we may be seeing a resurgence in the interest of this type of musical approach to country music.

RR: That no matter what level you are at in the music business, from garages, bars to the grand stages...it just one "catch 22" after another. Still we find a way!

What music is in your iPod right now?

EB: Keith Urban, Jimmy Webb, Rickie Lee Jones, Dan Fogelberg, The Beatles, J.D. Souther, The Beatles, and on, and on...

RR: Just completed a pet project with some old friends. We took the book of Mathew and wrote and arranged melodies and contemporary music around only the "Red Letters." It's being released on Velocity Records and is called, "The Red Letter Project." Was a real challenge but a lot of fun.

What's next for One Flew South?

EB: OFS is playing Farm Aid this coming weekend, and otherwise traveling around the U.S. supporting "My Kind Of Beautiful."

RR: Farm Aid 08 in Boston. Whoooo Hoooooo!!!

Certainly there's more music fans out there than ever that have fallen in love with One Flew South's unique sound. My wife and I found out that we have a little girl due in November and their song "She's A Gift" is my new daddy-theme song. I'll be singing her to sleep with it many a night. Thanks goes out to One Flew South for taking time out of their incredibly busy schedule to make a little time for this interview- we genuinely wish them the very best of luck.