Cry of Love came out right around the time the w
Yes it was. We weren't heavy metal, and we weren't exactly blues or pop. So the only radio market for us was AOR. Which we had great success but it still didn't sell that many records.

Cry of Love was a great band, why did you guys call it quits?
After Kelly Holland left the band we searched for nearly two years before finding Robert Mason to sing on the new CD. I think Columbia was keeping us around hoping that once the Seattle thing had died off that guitar rock would be healthy again. The Seattle thing did die off but Hootie came in strong and rock radio was in bad shape. Columbia said that they weren't going to give us tour support to tour the 2nd CD so we had no choice but to quit while we were ahead. We still had fans but after being off the road for 3 years we were still basically a baby band. There was no way we could afford to tour without the help of a label.

Do you still talk to or see Audley Freed (now with the Black Crows), Kelly Holland or Robert Mason?
I talk to Audley every once in awhile. I usually get to see him when I go back to NC for a break.

How did you land the gig with Chris?
I was at a Black Crows show to see Audley and ran into Sam Bryant from KWS. I told him I was thinking of moving to Austin and he suggested that I get up with Chris. Once I got here we jammed on a Friday and Saturday I went to see him play at Antones and he told me I was on board.

Chris and John Jordan have been together for a very long time, how is it for Chris and the band to play with out him?
It is different. Robert has brought a more rock groove that is easy to play with. Mr. Jordan for me was always right on time and I do miss playing with him But I knew he was wanting to move on to other things and I wish him only the best. Robert Kearns is a great player and personality on top of that. After Robert had been on the road with us for about a month Chris said to me, and I quote......."For the first time in a long time I am actually having fun being on the road."

You and Robert Kearns use to play in Cry of Love together, who contacted who regarding the Chris Duarte gig?
I contacted Robert. John didn't give us much of a notice when he decided to leave. So lucky for us Robert was in NC and not touring with the Bottle Rockets. You can always get someone to fill in a gig or two but to just up a leave for two months of dates is something else.

What is the song writing process like for the band? Does Chris just walk in and say here it is boys? Or is there a laboring/collaborative process around a beginning melody.
It is Chris' band. He is the song writer and he brings in the arrangement for us to hear. But nothing is in stone. He listens to our suggestions and we try to make it a group effort as much as possible. Since we will be the same band recording the tunes it is better that we have a part in creating them......I think.

What is it like playing with a guitar player who is considered to be a legend in his own time?
He is only human, and Chris always strides to be as good as he can. Even on bad nights he is great and tries to keep the energy level up on stage.

Chris has many influences from blues and jazz to classical and Shakespeare. As a drummer, what is that like?
I just do my thing and put my influences into the pot and see what happens. The last couple of times that I saw Chris he had great drummers. But they weren't hard hitters at all. I was influenced by guys that you definitely knew where the ONE and TWO were. I felt like he needed that to help bring things together. Not everybody can be playing a solo at the same time.

Anyone who knows the Chris Duarte Group, knows the live show is like a religious experience. Is there a possible full live release on the way?
I haven't heard anything to that. sorry.

Where are you guys currently touring and do you have any plans to come back to Florida?
Feb and March are looking good. Mostly in the mid west, Colorado, Utah, then we start heading towards the North East and then go South from there.

How are the fans responding to the new album/CD? I believe the CD was released on a new label, any differences?
Chris has the greatest fans I have ever seen. They embrace anything he puts out.

What do you think of the rock music out today and where do you see it heading?
I think right now is possibly the worst time to be in a band. I don't know what it is going to take to change things but I see the music industry going even further into a deep dark depression. If things don't change I think that bands with originals will have to choose not to record and to only play their material live so nobody can steal it. What is the point of spending all that money and years of hard work only to see it taken from you for free. Most of the top bands in America today aren't even able to play their songs live without the help of a DAT tape. Not all of them but most of them. The public is being ripped off big time.

What has been your favorite show to play in your professional career?
In Allentown, PA Cry of Love had just come off the Aerosmith and Robert Plant tour and Peace Pipe and Bad Thing had been on the radio for about 6 months. It was the 3rd time we had played at this place and it was packed and every single person in there was singing to every song that we played. I felt strange that a little unknown band from Raleigh, NC could come play this far away and every person in the place know all of our songs.

Is there anything you would like to add?
Stay in school, respect your parents, don't do drugs. What a Dork!