Good afternoon Wire Megazine. I am stoked to sit down with this stupendous duo, from afar that is, and get the scoop on what’s new in the music world of multi-award-winning Tami J Wilde and the legendary Jimmy Deck.

Hey guys, I frequent your Quarin-toons live Facebook events amongst the 1000’s that tune in and I am glad to see that some safety restrictions are still in place, due to the pandemic, and that it has not slowed either of you musically, still given your all for your world wide fans. While perfecting your hits I see you have included new songs as well, from your latest album Kickin Country.

Way to go, Tami & Jimmy, tons of applause on your recently recorded cover selection of the incredible historic old country classic, Running Kind https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=281574369609202 which was written by the legend Merle Haggard and your version was recorded at Jimmy’s home-based Just 12 Notes Studio at Dragon’s Forge Manor.

(Q)1. DEB: Tell us a little about your studio Jimmy, and can we assume there will be more to come? Perhaps a solo guitar album Jimmy? (A)1. JIMMY: “My studio is about as basic and simple as

it can be, just a home studio, much more than that, and I’d trip on the cords and hurt myself lol. I’ve played with the idea of a guitar album and yes, folks have asked for one. I have to now because you took a photo of me Deb that actually makes me look pretty good, so it just has to be an album cover, thanks for that Dee!”

(Q)2. DEB; Can you both highlight aspects of your cultural backgrounds that make you and your work unique? (A)2. TAMI J WILDE: “Myself personally, music started for me at a young age. I was blessed, being able to travel with my family when we lived in Toronto, to Buckhorn, where we camped a lot. My best times were when people would sit around the campfire playing their guitars and singing. I was always observing people and I always felt music made people happy, made them forget about all their worries. They would be laughing, smiling, dancing, and singing along, it took me away to a place that I loved. Which is the reason I ended up buying my first guitar!” (A)2. JIMMY: “I think a person’s music is affected by their culture and every life experience. The more you reach inside yourself, which I believe you must to really create something that’s your own, the more these things come to light.”

(Q)3. DEB: Did your upbringing prompt a specific reference point with your music? Like, is your music informed by certain concepts or themes from your childhood background, socio-economic status, where you lived, or were raised? In general, how does all this impact how you see the world and create music? (A)3. TAMI J WILDE: “My upbringing was not an easy one as I was adopted out when I was a baby, so there was always a sense that I was trying to figure out who I was. This was hard to determine in my mind because I was not raised by my birth family. It gnawed at me for a lot of years and I did search for them and finally found them, only to find out my mother and father were deceased and both were musicians as well. My siblings were still alive and we were reunited which has been one of the things I wanted more than anything in this lifetime. Please don’t get me wrong, I cherished the ground my adoptive parents walked on and loved them dearly, but I needed to know where I came from and who my family was. Now music has always been my savior, it’s my therapy It’s everything to me. I tried to quit a few times along the way but, that was not happening, as it runs deep in my soul. Whew, that was a lot to get off my chest lol. How do I see the world? It’s a mess at the moment for the music business but we will all have to reinvent the wheel and find what works for us. As long as I can still play and people are wanting to still listen to my music, I will be here till my last breath.” (A)3. JIMMY: “Heck I’m basically a farm boy born and raised, so there’s that simple country flavor to my playing. Back in the day in the country, it was about helping and working together, that’s a recipe for good music no matter the type.”

(Q)4. DEB: Tell your fans what your songs aim to say? Many artists would consider this a loaded question. The purpose of this question, however, is to assess how aware you are of what audiences see in your work and what it provokes, and why you make music. (A)4. TAMI J WILDE: “My songs, I feel are message songs. Mostly, I love it when people come to me and say, I can relate to what you are saying in that song or your song made my day or your song helped me get through the day or my fav of your music makes me smile and hey I’m dancing. I love that, and the music lifts me up. It lifts my spirit to a higher place and I love the social aspect as well. I’m a people lover big time and I love that we are all so different. I accept people for who they are, like the words from my tune Play The Damn Song, I believe there’s a shining star hanging in that big ole sky, just waiting for you and I truly believe that for everyone, just keep striving to find your star.” (A)4. JIMMY: “Tami’s ability to write songs about any topic you might choose, be it from the point of view of a saloon girl in the 1800s to a Sunday morning stroll or a song from the heart that invokes thoughts or laughter or tears is truly awe-inspiring! My job, as I see it, is to interpret what she’s putting out there not just lyrically, but in the music, feel and to create an appropriate backup, and maybe a few juicy noodles to boot. I think we do that well and I know our fans feel it by their reactions!”

(Q)5. DEB: Do you think some of your masterpiece originals touch on current social or political issues? (A)5. TAMIJ WILDE: “I do feel certain songs, like my newer noncountry song, You and Why Not, I suppose makes a statement on current social issues in retrospect. Once again I feel like my songs are mostly messages to believe in yourself, live life to the fullest, be yourself within reason, and be respectful. My latest album, Kickin Country, is mostly derived from my travels to Arizona, it’s a sweet album thanks to James Deck and Fred Duvall. My next album will be totally different because my writing always changes. I feel a lot of times my music comes from within. I never go political, it’s truly best not to go there ever as a person in the public eye. I’m a very positive individual and I feel change is always gonna happen, it’s called life. (A)5. JIMMY: “II’s more and more obvious you can’t do or say anything without touching social or political issues, music is powerful, but I don’t see that as an intentional aim of ours.”

(Q)6. DEB: Who would you say has influenced you the most musically now and then? (A)6. TAMI J WILDE: “That’s a huge list. Everyone I have ever worked with musically, I love them all as they have all made me grow into who I am today. They are my mentors, my teachers, and friends for life who are hugely talented to boot. Who influences me now? Jimmy Deck does. We met 4 years ago on St Pattys Day at The Dobro and the rest is history. Now I have met one of my best friends in this business, not only is Jim one kickass guitar player but, he also brings a lot of creative ideas to my songs. He knows to sound like no other and he’s an extremely talented man and I am honored to work with him. We make a great team and now, he has his own recording studio, Just 12 Notes, where The Running Kind was recorded and my next album will be released.” (A)6. JIMMY: “For me first and foremost, it’s Chester Burton Atkins. Not that I play like Chet, because I can’t lol, but, he taught me so much more than his style. Like there’s more than the three chords that I knew and I strive to be better! Now…Tami J Wilde inspires me every day!”

(Q)7. DEB: Contrary to popular belief, ‘making it’ in the art of music isn’t merely a game of luck. It requires talent, strategic, and determined effort based on your vision, goals, etc. Share with your fans information about your creative writing process, studio work, and about any awards you have received. As well, how have you both developed your careers? (A)7. TAMI J WILDE: “My writing process is kinda crazy. Actually, these days, as I usually use a drum machine, find a groove I like, then just start playing. I have a Tascam I run while doing this and I just start singing off the top of my head with the melody and drum beat and go with it. I have hours and hours of songs they just flow naturally out of me, some stick some get put aside, some are sleepers and some are 5 min deals. it’s weird to say this but, writing comes very naturally to me for some reason. Sometimes I question myself on how it’s possible, then I take them to Jim or do the same thing in the studio. I just keep saying change the beat faster or slower and record them on my phone and then decide which one is gonna be worked on next. Awards, I am a proud 3-time CMAO (Ontario Country Music Association) nominee and a Platinum award-winning artist regarding my hit Ride That Tain.” (A)7. JIMMY: “As Tami mentioned, she comes to my studio and says, put on a drum pattern on my Dr rhythm, I do so. She then listens and maybe trys a chord, a major, a minor whatever she’s feeling. Then she starts on the guitar and this girl has rhythms I’ve only dreamed about on the guitar! Then the lyrics come. I listen intently and by the end of the first verse, I’m feeling it. I can almost hear the chorus progression before she plays it, presto! We will then record it on her phone so she can polish it. Then she says give me another rhythm Jimmy and within 1/2 an hour, 5 maybe 6 songs are created! Then my work really starts lol? Awards? I did really well in a spelling bee but, its bothered me that I didn’t tell them that a truck went by with banana written on the side and that’s how I did it! I developed my career in the bars on both sides of the border and learned from every good player I met!”

(Q)8. DEB: What does success mean to each of you? (A)8. TAMI J WILDE: “Success, is every time my songs are released and our fanbase grows, hearing my song on the radio, people singing with me to the words of my songs, dancing to my music, playing gigs and recording with Jim, watching my husband Chris in the audience and seeing how happy he is for me and how much he loves the music. I could go on and on, oh yeah and 1 more thing, A HIT SONG of course, to have my music all over the world that would be a beautiful thing.” (A)8. JIMMY: “Success to me is sharing what I love to do and seeing it touch people and being on a TJW hit song, would be the icing on the cake!”

(Q)9. DEB: Some artists seem reluctant to speak of just how frustrating and baffling the whole experience of navigating the general music realm is, let alone add in Covid-19, or how hard they try to still be ambitious about getting their artwork seen or sold. Explain briefly how you’re currently pursuing your career and going after opportunities and some of the ways you’ve chosen lately to engage with your legions of fans, whether that’s within the top echelon of international art circles or based on your involvement with your local community despite the challenges musicians face trying to bring your art to the new formatted audiences at home, thanks to the Corona Virus. (A)9. TAMI J WILDE “Well my #1 is social media. I have done a lot of research, learning, and connecting with people everywhere and if the music speaks for itself, I believe it will do well. I have also invested money and time into some of this music as nothing is free. Music is a business and like all business ventures it takes money to get it going, and all the money I make from gigging goes back into the music. I also have music streaming and other platforms I use to promote my music. Promotion is a big key to getting yourself out there, is a huge factor in letting people know what you are wanting from this business especially with regards to image and personality building, but always stay humble. Now, yes COVID-19 has made things change but it’s called reinventing the wheel and the world is your platform on social media. Ya just got to keep working it! I love it. I love learning, meeting new people, so just keep moving forward. Next, I am learning radio in and out, gonna look into running a radio spot on Trent Radio. I’m going to earn licensing to pitch my songs to stations like The Outlaw Station on Sirius Radio stations, where my music fits and where it belongs, truly is a process that takes patience and perseverance, it’s a business and no business is easy. I just stay steadfast while having alot of fun.” (A)9. JIMMY: “The world is changing by the minute, the music business will never be the same, but, I’m not totally convinced that’s a bad thing. Goodness knows it’s never been a bed of roses and could probably use a makeover! Maybe some great talents that might never have been discovered will be under the new format! We’re in the process of trying to understand the new music world and figure out how to succeed in it!”

(Q)10. DEB: What’s next for Tami J Wilde and Jimmy Deck? (A)10. TAMI J WILDE: “Many more original songs, albums, recordings, shows wherever the music takes us, other artists performing our songs, selling songs, home shows, lots of backyard gigs with limited groups with social distancing, hanging out hashing over the business. Also, shooting videos, which I do myself now as well, just having lots of fun, both of us love music to the core and the world is our oyster, we’re just gonna keep on riding that music train woot woot (A)10. JIMMY: “I’m gonna keep kicking the old hog right square in the……butt till the end!”

Fans can stay in tune by visiting your social media platforms located at:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tami.j.wilde
Tami J Wilde & Jimmy Deck’s Music Page https://www.facebook.com/WildeMusicProductions

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/TamiJWildeMusic

Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/tamijwilde

https://www.amazon.com/Tami-J-Wilde-Kickin-Country/dp/B07X5R7M7R https://open.spotify.com/album/77G5djfHPa9OvNnNJCupXd

Thank you for your time. Cheers!