Artist Interview: 1-on-1 with Patrick Flynn

Last year my good friend Marc invited me to play in a golf tournament with him at Foxtail Golf Club in Rohnert Park, California. It was cold when I arrived, but we hit some balls, got the chance to stretch and headed to our starting hole. We waited for a few minutes and worried we’d be playing alone. That’s when Valentino Sabuco and his guest Patrick Flynn arrived. We said hello, shook hands and hit our tee shots. It was a fun day and after we grabbed lunch together at Double Decker Lanes, a nearby bowling alley.

A few weeks later we reconnected for 18 holes at The Fountaingrove Club. During our round we learned more about each other and quickly realized that Patrick was a musician. Living in Wine Country, he also grows grapes. After our round we said our goodbyes and Valentino gave me a golf book that I am close to finishing. Patrick handed me a bottle of wine and a copy of his CD Good Intentions. I was blown away and just had to learn more. Over the next few weeks we stayed in touch via email and Patrick agreed to an interview.

This was really fun for me and I am honored to share his story with you all. Marc, if you read this, I think it’s time for a rematch. I know Valentino and Patrick are ready for another crack at it. But before we tee off, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Patrick Flynn.

We first met on the golf course. Then I found out you were a musician. Give me an overview of your career and more on what type of music you produce.
Piano lessons at age 5. High school bands The Crossmen and Commonwealth Association from age 15 (1964) (Calistoga). I was the drummer in both bands but started playing guitar and writing folk songs around the same time. At age 18 (1967), while at Sonoma State University, I was in a band called Come Again. I sang and played guitar. I was 19 in 1968 in a band called Father Grumble. I played guitar and drums, wrote songs and did all original material, which was quite unique for the time. I played all venues from Santa Rosa to San Francisco including opening for Canned Heat at the Fairgrounds and gigs at The Fillmore in San Francisco. The Ark in Sausalito, Inn Of The Beginning in Cotati to name a few.

In 1970 I moved back to Calistoga and continued to write songs and compose music on both guitar and piano and started recording my songs at my home studio and producing demos for other songwriters while doing some local gigging with my band Family of Friends and Mark Spoelstra’s band Frontier Constabulary. In 1982, I moved to Ashland, Oregon, with my son where I continued writing and recording. I worked with an ad agency doing local commercials for TV/radio. In 1989, I moved back to Calistoga and continued to evolve as songwriter/producer. I founded Silverado Records in 1992 and formed the Father Son Band with my son Isaiah. We played shows in Sonoma/Napa County and released our first CD Relativity in 1995. In 1999, I built a new house/studio. I am always writing. I released my first solo CD Late Bloomer in 2004. I released Good Intentions in 2018 on Maple Station Music.

In 2020, I am still writing/producing/recording. Going to release some singles shortly, but have at least two full CDs worth of material nearly ready for release. Not doing much gigging but still entertaining some clients in the studio.

I have produced all types music… Folk, rock, blues, jazz, country, classical and most things in between. My compositions also tend to be all over the map, which is not always advantageous to a music career since mainstream music business likes to be able to put you in one category and keep you there.

How has your sound evolved over the years?
I’m still basically a heart and soul writer in approach – putting poetry to music – I guess the evolution has come in getting better and more refined on my instruments over the years, which hopefully makes for a better product no matter what genre I’m working in.

What is your songwriting process like? Do you sit down with a yellow pad and just write, or do the songs come to you overnight? I’ve always been intrigued by this process.
I don’t have one process. Sometimes I sit with a yellow pad, get an idea, and it evolves over days/weeks/months/years. Sometimes full songs come through me (this is the best) in a matter of minutes fully complete (where I’m merely the conduit). Sometimes I’ll get the music first, then work the lyric. Other times I’ll have a lyric and create music to fit. It’s a process I’m not in any way in control of (thank God). I stay open to the muse. I create time to be open to the muse. I have intention to do well, and I love what I do.

Who are some of your biggest influences?
Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Fred Neal, Tim Hardin, Albert Collins and BB King… Not necessarily in that order. I could go on.

You’ve been in the Bay Area your entire life. What are some of the best places to see live music?

It depends on the type of music. A good small venue for jazz is Yoshi’s. Hands down! Concord Pavilion is a good larger venue (outside). Robert Mondavi Winery has a nice concert series. I also like places like Great American Music Hall, Paramount Theatre in Oakland and Kimball’s East in Emeryville.

Tell me more about Silverado Records.
This press release is a good overview:

After 24 CD releases and 22 years doing business as SilveradoRecords—Calistoga resident, Producer/Songwriter/Singer/Multi-Instrumentalist Patrick Flynn, has sold the Trademark to Exegan Music Group, Nashville, Tennessee, who will continue using the Silverado Records moniker.

Over the years, Flynn has had the privilege to work with some of the giants in the music/film industry. Internationally recognized artists such as Grammy winner, jazz pianist/composer, the late, Cedar Walton, jazz guitarist Calvin Keys, jazz vibraphonist, the late, Herb Gibson, R&B/gospel vocalist Terry Bradford, Grammy winner, blues harmonica guru Charlie Musselwhite, legendary blues sidemen Jim Pugh, the late, Leonard Gill, and Ron Thompson, traditional Hawaiian troubadour/singer/songwriter Nate Kana’e, singer/songwriter/producer John Beland, not to mention Oscar winning actor/director Robert Redford, have all walked through Flynn’s studio doors. BBC International, the Goldman Foundation, the Culinary Institute of America, and the Oprah Winfrey Network have all sought out the studio for important voice over recording sessions.  Of no less consequence, are the many regional and local players who have successfully completed their own projects, contributed to studio projects, or lent their considerable talents to Flynn’s solo productions. Bay area stalwarts, Bobby Black, the late, Mel Martin, David Rokeach, Mike Rinta, Larry Vann, Spencer Allen, Kelvin Dixon, the late Mardell Stickley, Tressies Wells, Mz. Dee, Erik Jekabson, Rob Barics, TJ Frisby, Kirk Joseph, Chris Amberger, Mayne Smith, Sean Allen, Isaiah Flynn, Nigel Bates, the late, Dick Shuster, Vito Triglia, Rose Connor, Emily Palin, Lorna Kohler, Peter Backus, William Eckart, and Greg Lindelof, all made glowing contributions along the way.

“Silveroot”, the Americana group consisting of Flynn, Darryl Webb, Mardell Stickley, and later Emily Palin, was fortunate enough to reach #27 on the Americana charts with the release of their first CD, “Full Measure”, on the Silverado label in 2008.

Acknowledgement’s also, for all the members and contributors to “Father Son Band” and “Maple Station Express”, two of Silverado’s success stories.

Thanks to all who had a hand in the long rewarding run of Silverado Records, and a special thank you to Darryl Webb, my engineer of 14 years and Silveroot bandmate, for your loyalty, friendship, and professionalism through the good and the trying times.

 While acknowledging that this marks the end of a long chapter, Flynn is optimistic that it also opens doors to new and exciting adventures along his magical, musical path.  

Flynn’s newest CD, “Good Intentions”, was released in May, 2018, on his new Maple Station Music label and will be available at CD Baby.com/Patrick Flynn, as well as all of their many affiliates including i-tunes, Amazon, etc. 

All past releases of SILVERADO RECORDS/PATRICK FLYNN will continue to be available for purchase, streaming, or download on i-tunes, or through CD Baby.com/Patrick Flynn.

You released Good Intentions in 2018. Tell me more about that release and the singles on that album. Are you planning to release more music in 2020?
Good Intentions is my first release on the “new” label Maple Station Music. As most of my releases do, it contains new music and some music that was written as far back as 30 years ago that finally had its day. I’ll let you guess which ones are which. I’m not in the habit of singling out songs on a release, but I will be releasing some “singles only” in 2020. Looks like four of them at this point, mostly because of the way music is consumed these days. Remember, I’m a dinosaur.

As you mentioned, that album was released on Maple Station Music. Tell me more about that record label.
It’s Silverado Records under a new name. Not much has changed. Maple Station Music has been my publishing moniker since I started releasing music, so I just adopted it for the label as well.

I guess the biggest change will be that I probably won’t be producing other artists on the label like I used to on Silverado Records.

Tell me more about Silveroot.
Silveroot was the Americana band I put together to produce some of my music in that genre. Darryl Webb, my studio engineer for the last 15 years, played banjo/accordion and Mardell Stickley played violin. When she passed away, Emily Palen stepped in on violin/vocals for a year. That band was a lot of fun and had good success with the first CD Full Measure going to 27 on the Americana radio charts.

You’ve recorded hundreds of songs over the years. What are some of your favorite releases to date?
I know you’ve heard this before but songs are like children – you love them all – you do have preferences no doubt, but prefer to keep them to yourself. Each CD has something special that I really love and correspondingly each CD has something that I don’t really care for. Such is the life of an artist. Alas, they’re out there, and more often than not, the things I love won’t resonate with the public the way I imagine, and the ones I don’t care for are the most popular. Go figure. “Late Bloomer” is still something I love listening to. Probably because of the great players I got a chance to work with, and it was a great period of time in my life. I’m also a firm believer that I haven’t done my best work yet, so I’m always looking forward.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
That’s really a tough question… If you put me on the spot to choose one, I’d probably have to say Ray Charles at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa. What a magical night!

You are a multi-instrumentalist having learned the piano at a very young age. What other instruments do you play and what would you recommend to someone interested in learning to play an instrument.
I play piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, harmonica and mandolin.

Other than my brief musical education on piano at age five, I’m self-taught. For me it was the way to go, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I would say find an instrument that excites you and get a fundamental musical education starting out that you can build on.

How many different guitars do you own?
Counting the mandolin and the bass, I think I’m up to 14. Too many!

I have a ’65 Stratocaster, a ’71 Fender Telecaster Deluxe, a ’66 Fender Electric XII, a ’52 Gibson ES-350, a ’69 Gibson Les Paul custom, a ’72 Gibson ES-335 stereo, a ’68 Gibson J 50, an ’02 Taylor 814ce LTD, an ’08 Taylor 610, a ’90 Epiphone PR-5E/B, a ’98 Alvarez AJ80CE and a ’58 National lap steel guitar.

I’ve always looked at songwriters as storytellers. You’ve been doing this a long time, and I am sure you have a lot of stories to tell. So… Tell me a story. Curious what you come up with!
My story is about a four day old baby who is adopted by two wonderful people who cannot have children of their own. They raise this child as their own and give him everything any child could ever hope for in this life. The child never wants for anything – love, caring, material goods, opportunity to succeed. He loves his parents very much and is devoted to them beyond compare. At 10 years of age his mother explains to him that he came to live with them at four days old and that his real mother Irene had to leave him with them for safe keeping. This is very curious to the boy, but is soon overwhelmed by the adventures of a ten year old mind, although never forgotten. As the young man grows older the explanation comes back in waves of wondering and disbelief, and he tries to filter it out and reconcile his feelings of bewilderment. His sense of not belonging to the family he loves becomes more a part of his spirit, and he struggles to fit in to situations that seem foreign to his soul, never wanting to hurt his mother’s feelings he keeps this turmoil to himself and goes about life with his usual gusto, always feeling the sense of abandon and questions unanswered. Mid-life, the man makes attempts to locate Irene, always to no avail, until he finally resigns that it is not meant to be. At age 70, in an attempt to resolve health issues for his son, the man has his DNA tested and low and behold out of the blue comes word of a first cousin with an aunt Irene. BINGO. Cousin Charles has photos and documentation and family history and Irene’s guitar to send to California to the boy who thought he’d never know who his real mother was, let alone realize his real family history. As fate would have it, Irene passed away in 2015 so the boy will never have all his questions answered, BUT WOW! What a life!

You also released Songs for Jessie in 2018. Tell me more about that album. Who is Jessie?
I released Songs for Jessie as a tribute to the only mother I ever knew. Jessie Flynn was a saint in my life. She is the woman I cherish beyond all others in my in heart. She is the person who sacrificed so much for me to be happy and successful in life. The one that stuck with me through thick and thin and always believed in me. Ironically, I had no idea I would find Irene when I released Songs for Jessie.

When you aren’t writing or recording music, what do you like to listen to? Not necessarily musicians that have influenced you, but singer/songwriters and bands that you like.
I don’t listen to as much music as I used to, but I really like the Zac Brown Band. Anything by The Neville Brothers. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has blown my mind. Kid is great!!!

We’ve talked about music. We’ve talked about golf. We’ve even talked about wine. What else are you passionate about?
I am also passionate about my dog, my garden, and cooking.

Tell me about your relationship with Mark Spoelstra.
Met Mark in 1970 when he and Sherie were living at Mountain Home Ranch. We played a lot of music together around the fireplace. He was very supportive of my songwriting. I loved to pick his brain about his days with Dylan, Van Ronk, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, etc. in early NYC. He taught me a lot of finger picking. I played some with his band Frontier and worked on some commercial gigs he was doing at the time. We lost touch for quite a few years ago, and then saw him again around 2005. He was blown away by how far I had come producing my stuff. That really meant a lot to me for him to say that. He is a great writer/player/singer.

Where can people at home hear some of your music? Are you still performing live?
I have my stuff on CD Baby and all their affiliates. My stuff is also on iTunes, Amazon, etc. I have been in studio mode for a few years and don’t perform live much these days, but I may be getting back to it in the not too distant future.

What’s next for Patrick Flynn?
I’m finishing two songs the first week of February with legendary steel guitar player Bobby Black coming into the studio. I’m absolutely stoked to be able to work with him and can’t wait to hear what we get down on these tunes. What a JOY!

I’m going to do some traveling this year to see the new relatives and am going to visit Nate in Hawaii. Other than that I’ll be finishing all the new material that I’m working on currently, including three tunes with Nate Kana’e, and working on recording the more than 100 songs sitting on my desk that I’ve written but never recorded – and walking the dog. Oh, and playing golf with my new friend Ricky!

Thank you for doing this. I really enjoyed learning more about you and your career. In all the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Hey, thanks for asking me to do this, man. I appreciate your interest in my music!!! It’s way past my bedtime. GOOD NIGHT!