Ricky reflecting about CYO

[styxfanNH]

From Ricky’s MSN Interview/Blog On the CYO performance and filming:


Wow, two letters of correspondence from Ricky Phillips in less than a month. This will definitely compromise my standings with the “Silent Members” club. Is it Penn or Teller? Anyway, Harpo and Silent Bob will never let me live this down. I can hear them now...”He used to be the “Quiet Stick”...he knew his place...mostly stayed out of the videos and interviews, sang only when he had to, good to his Mum...just played bass and kept his big yap shut.” I will surely catch hell at the next meeting.
Well, the past week in Cleveland with the Youth Symphony and Choir is worth a short breath from me. In a word, it was “truly amazing”... Ok, that’s two words....Seriously, ...“Words” cannot convey the experience. Time has a way of blurring the edges but I’ll never forget the essence. What is still clear upon this writing is how it became glaringly apparent that this evening was not about us, “STYX”. It was about these kids who became young adults that night. It was about this new found talent still on a wandering leash, forging their way with extreme confidence...occasionally tripping but soldiering on through brief flashes of insecurity...and with each victory...a smile. In some cases it was deep concentration...keeping up and putting it all together from countless hours of rehearsal and private time...then another smile....only to find after jumping off the cliff ... they could float . Some could fly and some could even soar...more smiles... For others it was the conflict of playing the notes on the page or to rebel and set free the ones screaming to burst out from the depths of their imagination. They were sensational... And we all smiled...some cried...can I get an amen.
Why was it special for me? I had no idea it would hit me this way but this was a once in a lifetime chance to climb aboard a time machine and go back to the innocence.... In a sense to get another glimpse of my own innocence. When music was pure, free and limitless and no more responsible than an amusement park ride. When music was a gift without instructions or intention. They took me back to a time before I was aware that my heroes faced a different set of rules. Before “MUSIC” became the “music business” with the responsibility of auditions, contracts, tours, Record labels, foreign countries, carnets, passports, hit songs, money, foreign money, Bonus tracks, Sheds, Arenas, theatres, clubs, European tours, hit singles, airplay, managers, agents, program directors, video directors and film directors. Before I knew anything about payola, P1’s, CHR, Rock charts, Budokan, Meet and Greets, lobby call, luggage call, Set lists, Hello Cleveland!, bunks, bus etiquette, flight cases, girlfriends, wives, Swingo’s, The Riot House, Video shoots, MTV, VH1, crew meals, board mixes, house mixes, the rider, wake up calls, Day sheets, itineraries, field reps, green rooms, green screen, Super Troopers, LDs, confetti, autographs, fans, 16 Magazine, Cream, Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, Cashbox, R&R, Punk, Disco, Rap, Classis Rock, phoners, stage left, smoke, please don’t smoke, original members, Television appearances, guest DJs, Dance mixes, celebrity baseball, celebrity golf tournaments, Promoters, John Kolodner, tour managers, endorsements, pay to play, Swag, Merch, percentages, Co-Headline, groupies, guest lists, Yoko, publishing and publishing deals, websites, songwriter’s share, administration deals, song pluggers, downloading and itunes. Before I’d ridden in limos, airplanes, tour busses, dealt with monitors and monitor mixers, photographers or had to do photo shoots or even knew I had a good side and a bad side. Deal with per diem, assumed “fake” names, wardrobe, eyeliner, tight pants, headliners, opening acts, support, short sets, long sets. Before I knew I needed Throat Coat tea, wireless systems, drugs, booze, Cortisone, band meetings, dressing rooms, in-ears or green M&Ms... Believe it or not, I could keep going but I’m getting a flashback right now so I’ll have to stop.
I don’t mean to turn this away from the focus on the kids and make it about me but this was quite a profound experience. This is the clearest vision I can give at this point without taking away the experience you will hopefully see in a few short months to come. Those of you who were there know what I’m talking about. And for those of you who weren’t ...well, film at eleven. It will take a few months for this footage to pass through a few oven mits like the hot potato it is and be approved. But the entire event will be broadcast in HD sometime yet to be determined. I don’t think it would be possible to capture all of the magic entirely but you won’t be disappointed...there should be plenty scorched onto celluloid.

Love to all, Ricky

[Zan]

Holy HUGE PARAGRAPH, Batman!!!

[I Stumble In]

"Mr. Phillips - put the triple shot latte down and step away from the keyboard"

[froy]

From Ricky’s MSN Interview/Blog On the CYO performance and filming:


Wow, two letters of correspondence from Ricky Phillips in less than a month. This will definitely compromise my standings with the “Silent Members” club. Is it Penn or Teller? Anyway, Harpo and Silent Bob will never let me live this down. I can hear them now...”He used to be the “Quiet Stick”...he knew his place...mostly stayed out of the videos and interviews, sang only when he had to, good to his Mum...just played bass and kept his big yap shut.” I will surely catch hell at the next meeting.
Well, the past week in Cleveland with the Youth Symphony and Choir is worth a short breath from me. In a word, it was “truly amazing”... Ok, that’s two words....Seriously, ...“Words” cannot convey the experience. Time has a way of blurring the edges but I’ll never forget the essence. What is still clear upon this writing is how it became glaringly apparent that this evening was not about us, “STYX”. It was about these kids who became young adults that night. It was about this new found talent still on a wandering leash, forging their way with extreme confidence...occasionally tripping but soldiering on through brief flashes of insecurity...and with each victory...a smile. In some cases it was deep concentration...keeping up and putting it all together from countless hours of rehearsal and private time...then another smile....only to find after jumping off the cliff ... they could float . Some could fly and some could even soar...more smiles... For others it was the conflict of playing the notes on the page or to rebel and set free the ones screaming to burst out from the depths of their imagination. They were sensational... And we all smiled...some cried...can I get an amen.
Why was it special for me? I had no idea it would hit me this way but this was a once in a lifetime chance to climb aboard a time machine and go back to the innocence.... In a sense to get another glimpse of my own innocence. When music was pure, free and limitless and no more responsible than an amusement park ride. When music was a gift without instructions or intention. They took me back to a time before I was aware that my heroes faced a different set of rules. Before “MUSIC” became the “music business” with the responsibility of auditions, contracts, tours, Record labels, foreign countries, carnets, passports, hit songs, money, foreign money, Bonus tracks, Sheds, Arenas, theatres, clubs, European tours, hit singles, airplay, managers, agents, program directors, video directors and film directors. Before I knew anything about payola, P1’s, CHR, Rock charts, Budokan, Meet and Greets, lobby call, luggage call, Set lists, Hello Cleveland!, bunks, bus etiquette, flight cases, girlfriends, wives, Swingo’s, The Riot House, Video shoots, MTV, VH1, crew meals, board mixes, house mixes, the rider, wake up calls, Day sheets, itineraries, field reps, green rooms, green screen, Super Troopers, LDs, confetti, autographs, fans, 16 Magazine, Cream, Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, Cashbox, R&R, Punk, Disco, Rap, Classis Rock, phoners, stage left, smoke, please don’t smoke, original members, Television appearances, guest DJs, Dance mixes, celebrity baseball, celebrity golf tournaments, Promoters, John Kolodner, tour managers, endorsements, pay to play, Swag, Merch, percentages, Co-Headline, groupies, guest lists, Yoko, publishing and publishing deals, websites, songwriter’s share, administration deals, song pluggers, downloading and itunes. Before I’d ridden in limos, airplanes, tour busses, dealt with monitors and monitor mixers, photographers or had to do photo shoots or even knew I had a good side and a bad side. Deal with per diem, assumed “fake” names, wardrobe, eyeliner, tight pants, headliners, opening acts, support, short sets, long sets. Before I knew I needed Throat Coat tea, wireless systems, drugs, booze, Cortisone, band meetings, dressing rooms, in-ears or green M&Ms... Believe it or not, I could keep going but I’m getting a flashback right now so I’ll have to stop.
I don’t mean to turn this away from the focus on the kids and make it about me but this was quite a profound experience. This is the clearest vision I can give at this point without taking away the experience you will hopefully see in a few short months to come. Those of you who were there know what I’m talking about. And for those of you who weren’t ...well, film at eleven. It will take a few months for this footage to pass through a few oven mits like the hot potato it is and be approved. But the entire event will be broadcast in HD sometime yet to be determined. I don’t think it would be possible to capture all of the magic entirely but you won’t be disappointed...there should be plenty scorched onto celluloid.

Love to all, Ricky

Dear Ricky

Nobody cares when are you going to get it,
Self Hype is all Styx has .
Get a job.

[styxfanNH]

Froy,
Ricky has a job. He's the bassist for STYX.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Thanks for posting !

I like Ricky, I always have. Seems like a great guy!

That was one long paragraph though - LOL

[froy]

Thanks for posting !

I like Ricky, I always have. Seems like a great guy!

That was one long paragraph though - LOL

You like everyone
The truck driver and you are buddies I hear.

[StyxCollector]

Froy,

I can understand you having issues with Tommy or JY and even Gowan to some extent since he's DDY's replacement. But to have issues with Ricky? That I don't get. He's just playing bass and doing backing vocals.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Thanks for posting !

I like Ricky, I always have. Seems like a great guy!

That was one long paragraph though - LOL

You like everyone
The truck driver and you are buddies I hear.

Damn right I like everyone!! Why wouldn't I ? I still like YOU, don't I??

I would love to be buddies with the truck driver, how cool is that??

Everyone that I met from Styx past and present has been so nice to me in person, so far. You know when I interviewed JY he was so nice to me, before, during and after. He treated me very, very good. When you meet someone one on one in person it's so hard to not like them, especially if they went out of their way and was so nice.

I'm sure there's one or two people that feel the same way about Dennis after they met him.

[froy]

Froy,

I can understand you having issues with Tommy or JY and even Gowan to some extent since he's DDY's replacement. But to have issues with Ricky? That I don't get. He's just playing bass and doing backing vocals.

I have issues with this self hype that he has learned from Shaw
Who the hell is this guy anyway
A fill in writing a article how great he and his band are,
No intrest at all.

[styxfanNH]

Did you even read the article Froy?

It talks about the innocence of childhood when things were untainted and things were done for just the enjoyment of it.

A time when life had no boundaries and no parameters. All those things that Ricky listed are things that musicians and groups have to deal with that in some way has an influence on the way their lives are. Especially within the MUSIC INDUSTRY>

You are letting your blindness and hatred get in the way of rational thought.

I can't understand what personal investment you have with the band seeing you hate them so much. If Dennis got back with Tommy and JY, you would be a hypocrite to "welcome them back" with open arms.

[froy]

I can't understand what personal investment you have with the band seeing you hate them so much. If Dennis got back with Tommy and JY, you would be a hypocrite to "welcome them back" with open arms.

[/quote]

No I would not welcome anyone back with open Arms
Would I be happy to see STYX music not being desicrated YES
Would I go see a STYX show with Dennis back YES
I have not seen JY and Shaw in 7 years so its no bid deal.

As far as Rickie please we don't need anymore hype about the CYO show
Big deal.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Why wait any longer to see them Froy?? Why don't you come with me on July 7th. This time I'll get you that parking pass closer to the stage

I think pictures backstage with you and JY would be priceless!

[froy]

Why wait any longer to see them Froy?? Why don't you come with me on July 7th. This time I'll get you that parking pass closer to the stage

I think pictures backstage with you and JY would be priceless!

There is no way in hell I would see this lineup for free , if they paid me
whatever

I want to see Roger Hodgson in Minnesota though
Call Chaka Kahn tell her Im comming .

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Are you really going up there? They asked me to go.

Dammit, 9 hours from my house. Are you driving or flying in??

[froy]

[

quote="SuiteMadameBlue"]Are you really going up there? They asked me to go.

Dammit, 9 hours from my house. Are you driving or flying in??

[/quote]

5 hours from my house
driving i think I really want to go rog with the orchestra great show,.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Nevermind, 4 1/2 hours from my house. I was thinking it's somewhere else.

Pick me up and I'll go. I'll bring the cooler and the case of ME. I promise I won't snap my gum this time