Lee Daniels
Interview
Date Published: 6/9/2008
date edited - unedited
interview by: Steve Timonen
NSM
I think a lot of people want to know what it's like living in Nashville. Can you give us a glimpse of the music scene and what it's like living there?
Lee - You would think, from the outside looking in, that Nashville is a producer of only country music, in fact, Nashville is a melting pot for many genres. From Hip Hop to Jazz and Gospel to the Alternative Music scene, it all can be found in Nashville. I love the people, the city, and the aura created by it’s architecture and history. It’s a perfect blend of new and old make Nashville my home.
NSM
Is it hard to break into the Nashville music scene? Would you recommend an artist moving there?
Lee - The first question I was asked by the Nashville natives was, “How long have you been here?” I was confused. “What does that matter,” I thought…”I’ve paid my dues.” Well, it’s been five years now and I have to tell you, it all makes sense.
When you first move here there is a certain mystique about Nashville. It’s almost as if Nashville is the “Holy City’ for those with a guitar, 3 chords and determination seeking fame and fortune. It takes about 5 years to figure out how this city really works and how you get a shot at becoming the “Next Big Thing.”
I would say to any artist moving to Nashville…beware, Nashville is a machine, a big machine. It can chew you up and spit you out. This machine is created, maintained and lubricated by relationships. Take your time, get to know some folks. Co-write, shake hands, pick your performances wisely and your chance will come.
NSM
So where were you before Nashville?
Lee - Before Nashville I resided in Las Vegas New Mexico…yes, Las Vegas New Mexico it was the first Las Vegas, it was even the capital city of New Mexico before Santa Fe for a few years. I was born in Albuquerque. When I was 5 my family and I moved to Chattanooga, TN. There my father attended Tennessee Temple University. After getting his degree…we moved back to Albuquerque, then a short time later he became the Pastor of East Drive Baptist Church in Las Vegas, where my folks still reside to this day. My father Louis has been Pastoring for over 40 years.
NSM
Do you write your own songs?
Lee - Yes, I have written solo, with known and unknown writers.
NSM
What are you doing currently? (Writing with people or by yourself.)
Lee - Well right now I am working in the studio with Joe “Buddy” Smith and helping new artists through Atlantic Music Group. We are trying to help struggling artists get to the next level and get noticed. I’m also working with Music City Nights Producers on a TV show pilot for ABC/Disney television networks to air this fall.
NSM
There's no mention of band members on your site. Do you have a steady band that you perform and record with or is the lineup always changing?
Lee - The line up changes depending on the show location, time of year, and/or tour. There are many variables. Nashville has a Union of Musicians. These men and women are phenomenal craftsmen. They employ “the Nashville Numbers” system. This enables them to change musicians as many times as necessary. With the numbers system or “charts”…your music will always sound the same no matter who is at the wheel.
NSM
When you're finished writing and it's time to record, is it hard to get other musicians to play the parts that are in your head?
Lee - Actually, no…it’s so much easier than you could imagine…honestly most of the time…the studio guys come up with some stuff that sounds better than what I had in my head. There is the occasional humming and the "here let me show you…"but for the most part it usually goes very smoothly.
NSM
I know that you play guitar. (That's a beautiful Telecaster btw) Do you play any other instruments?
Lee - I play the piano, and I take a stab at the drums occasionally. (Thanks for the compliment…the Tele is my baby, I’ve had her for over 10 years.)
NSM
Give us a little history about yourself. Are you married? Kids? How old are you?
Lee - I am married. In June of 2003 I married the love of my life, Michelle Keene. She and I have two sons, DJ (4) and Deven (3). Now I was married prior to Michelle. I was young and impetuous. Thought I knew it all…I was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, this saw the end of my first marriage. I did, however; emerge from that marriage with 3 beautiful daughters, Katelyn, (15) Brittney (13) and Arianna (10). I was pronounced “Cancer Free” in 2001. Unfortunately this disease also saw the end of my 9 year career as a police officer.
NSM
Are you a fulltime musician or do you have other sources of income?
Lee - I am a full time musician and I also work on occasion with friend “Buddy” Smith from Atlantic Music Group. AMG is an Artist Development Company based here in Nashville.
NSM
What exactly does an "artist-development-company" do?
Lee - An artist development company meets an artist at the level they are at…and fills in the gaps. What I mean is, some artists have no press kits, no 8X10’s and they are playing the wrong venues. Other artists have it all lined up and are just seeking that “right place/right time” that’s crucial to securing a record deal. Artist Development makes that happen. A music career is a charted path to follow. Artist development involves all the issues surrounding and arising from that charted path, and crosses into knowledge of product development.
NSM
Tell us about your fight with cancer (when, what kind of cancer, how long it was, etc) and how that ordeal affected the way you think today.
Lee - I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was in stage 2. I had three tumors in my right shoulder and two in my chest. It was discovered that the tumors in my chest were leaking into the pericardial sack surrounding my heart. Long story short I was in the cardiac care unit undergoing a procedure fully awake when I realized. While all these people were rushing to save my life, had I lived a life worth saving? Had I done all I wanted to do? Had I reached my goals, achieved my dreams? At that moment I wasn’t worried about the electric bill, the car payment or the mortgage. I wanted to see my children one last time. I wanted to tell my parents, my family how much they meant to me. I made it off of that table and I’m here to say, life is too short. I decided to make that journey to Nashville. Shortly after arriving I had both cars repossessed, faced eviction and child health problems. Persevere…stay strong; keep your head up because tomorrow is always new day and life is a wonderful gift.
NSM
Do you channel all of this energy (all of this pain and tragedy) into your art?
Lee - Yes, without a doubt. I have to say that many of the songs I’ve written come directly from that place. I wrote a song for my little girl Arianna called, “To Be A Dad.” I wrote this song because one day when she was 3 yrs old she came to me and handed me a nickel, a penny and a red balloon and asked me to save it for her. I was in the middle of my divorce and had dropped her off…it was late and I reached down in my pocket and there they were, the red balloon and 6 cents. I was so overcome by the heartache of what was happening in my life with cancer treatment and divorce and missing my children…I picked up my guitar, got out my notebook and wrote, “Six cents and a red balloon, Daddy can you save this for me, at that end of the day I found it, in the pocket of my jeans…she’s at home with her Mommy now I wonder when she’ll figure out…just how much her love means to me…” Each time I play that song here in Nashville…it’s so hard not to cry. My little girl lives out of state with her Mother and I get to see her once a year…so yeah, it’s rough…like so many others who share that pain.
NSM
What are some of your most memorable moments on stage or in the studio?
Lee - I’ve opened for country headliners and enjoyed it immensely, however; nothing compares to being on stage with my old group Centerline. We cut our teeth in the clubs and dives across the southwest. It was the greatest time in the music business I’ve ever had.
NSM
What are you currently doing (writing, studio, gigging)?
Lee - This week I’m performing at the CMA Music Fest aka. Fan Fair, I’ll take some time off, then I’m in the studio starting the second week of July.
NSM
What's next for Lee Daniels?
Lee - What’s next? Well, I’m currently laying tracks for my debut CD and I plan more hands on with artist development. Honestly I would like to help other unknown talented artists and writers avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into. I think going through some troubles as an artist helps form you but all too many times talented people leave Nashville only because they got tired of hearing, “no.” Just think of the talent we’ll never hear, because they never heard a “yes” now and then to give that artist/writer…hope.
NSM
If you ever want to sell that Telecaster, you know how to find me... right?
Lee - Ha ha ha…yeah Steve…I’ve got you on speed dial…oh and as a bonus I had Kix and Ronnie sign it a few months back so it’s worth a little more now.
Lee Daniels Feature Article (June 2008)
Lee Daniels Website
