Backyard Tire Fire former drummer- Tim Kramp

Riley: I’m here with Backyard Tire Fire drummer Tim Kramp.  Hey Tim, how’s it going? Thanks for taking the time to do this. How was working with Steve Berlin on the new album? And how did he or did he influence you guys in the making of the new record?
Tim: Steve just brought the best out in us. He made some good suggestions and made it an easy and enjoyable time. It helps that he’s a great musician with tons of ideas.
Riley: Nice. That always helps. So where did the name 

“Backyard Tire Fire”originate?
Tim: It came to me in a dream.
Riley: I know that everyone in whatever business wants to succeed.  But, what is your personal goal? Would you be happier where you’re at, or would you be happier on the top ten with Ryan Seacrest? Or somewhere in between?
Tim: I think there’s a point that we can get to where everybody’s comfortable and happy and the band is being productive. As long as everyone’s getting along and excited about the musicI think we’ll continue to grow. But I don’t anticipate having to meet 

Ryan Seacrest.
Riley: I know what you’re saying.  So how does it feel having the fan base you guys have?
Tim: Our fans are amazing. It blows me away that so many people are loving the music and are hungry for more. All music lovers are welcome.
Riley: As we’ve discussed before, my favorite song by you guys is “Jimmy, Bob, & Jack”. To which is now my 12 year old sons favorite song as well. We were both a little bummed that it didn’t make the cut for “Good To Be”. Do you see it possibly making it on a future album? Or will it be one of those treats you only get by seeing you guys live?
Tim: I love “Jimmy, Bob, & Jack” too. We’ll get it put out sometime. Ed’s got a lot of really good story songs and maybe we’ll get to put out a collection of those. There’s so many ways we can do it but we also just put “Good To Be” out. We’ll make sure you get it as soon as we put it to tape.
Riley: Thanks man. I appreciate it. So, who are your inspirations (musically and personally)?
Tim: My parents, my brothers, & the outdoors. Any really good music can inspire me to try and be a better musician. I also love artwork.
Riley: I really dig that you guys record analog first before converting to digital. What prompted you to do this and is this something that you will continue to for future recordings?
Tim: Matt said it all. 

Riley: Outside of Illinois, what are your top three venues to play at?
Tim: The Belly Up in Aspen, Co; The Freebird in Jacksonville, FL; and the Turf Club in Minneapolis, MN
Riley: Thank you so much Tim. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. Like the great Tom Waits said: “No, I don’t have a drinking problem except when I can’t get a drink”. So here’s to you my friends.
Tim: Tom Waits has got a lot of those attributed to him. My favorite is, “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.” Rock on Riley. See you soon I hope!
Riley: Hell yea!! You can count on it. Until next time, keep rocking.

Ranger: You were my best friend

Ever since the first day I laid eyes on you back in 2006 I knew you needed to be part of our family. You were just six weeks old. On that day, we just happened to be at Trader’s Village in Grand Prairie just walking around trying to find that one thing that we absolutely couldn’t live without. Little did we know at the time, that thing we couldn’t live without would be you my friend. After walking around my family and I decided to go look at the animals that they sell there in the front of Trader’s Village (Everyone who knows the place, knows exactly what I’m talking about). We weren’t looking to buy a pet, we just wanted to look at all the puppy cuteness. We see all breeds and sizes of puppies. With price ranges from ok to OMG are you serious? As I’m walking down I see the beagles (Beagles have been one of my favorite dogs for as far back as I can remember.) My eyes instantly locked on to you, but just as another couple reached down to pick you up and say they wanted you. Then (if I remember correctly) the wife said “Are you sure?” to the husband. He put you back down with your brothers and sisters and walked away. I immediately picked you up and start talking to you. Your tail started wagging and you would lick my face.

“You’re coming home with us” I thought. We told the people that we wanted you and they got the paper work and temporarily put you in the “sold” section. As we were filling out the paperwork, I remember the couple came back looking for you. They asked about you and were told you were already sold. Within those few minutes of meeting you, they would have had to fight me to get you from us. After the paper work was filled out and the transaction was made, you were officially ours. Or should I say we were yours. We walked around for a little while longer and decided to take you home. The rest as they say is history, our history. I still remember when you made your first little howl. It was very similar to the howl that puppy Copper made in The Fox and the Hound when he and Tod were introducing themselves to each other. Just melted your heart. I can hear him saying “My name is Ranger, I’m a hound dog. Aaww hoooo!!”

Throughout the years you would get bigger. Maybe a little grayer and a little slower. And you would even eventually lose your hearing. Throughout all that time, you were always there for me and the rest of the family. You would never judge us, you never were angry with us. Sometimes you were a little stubborn when you didn’t want to come in the house. But who isn’t? You loved us and we loved you Ranger. And as the tears roll down my face as I am typing this up, I will always miss you my friend. We love you so much Ranger and you will always be in our hearts.

RIP Ranger: 2-14-2006/1-8-2020

Young Tod : Copper, you're my best friend.

Young Copper : And you're mine too, Tod.

Young Tod : And we'll always be friends forever. Won't we?

Young Copper : Yeah, forever.

RIP Ranger: 2-14-2006/1-8-2020

This is Ranger and his son Captain. This photo was shown on the Texas Rangers Jumbotron.

Backyard Tire Fire- Matt Anderson (The interview)

Riley: I’m here with Matt Anderson, Bass player for the Rock N Roll band Backyard Tire Fire.  First of all, let
me say that I think “Good to Be” is an awesome album. Thanks for taking the time to do this. How was
working with Steve Berlin on the new album? And how did or did he influence you guys in the making of
this record?

Matt: Working with Steve on "Good To Be" was a pleasure. He had us change words in a song, herearranged a few parts on a handful of songs, he had me play very subtle different bass lines on a couple tunes, he came up with the drum loop on "Estelle", and all in all he knew how to get good performances out of us.

Riley: Where did the name “Backyard Tire Fire” originate?

Matt: It originated in Asheville, NC. I wasn't in the band when they came up with it. It is a "Simpson's" reference, which is nice.
Riley: Oh yea...The old Springfield Tire Fire. Nice. Ok, this is more of a statement than a question. I personally own six of BTF’s albums. Plus one I put together of a set at Chord on Blues earlier last year. The earliest album I have is “Live at the Georgia Theatre” with Warren Hawk on bass. Though Warren was pretty good on bass, I feel that you, Matt, is more solid and you bring a lot more to the table, musically, and really solidify the awesome sound you guys have.
Matt: That is very nice of you to say, but I have to give it up to Warren who is a great guy and an awesome bass player and singer/songwriter as well.
Riley: I know everyone in whatever business wants to succeed. But, what is your personal goal? Would you be happier where you’re at, or would you be happier on the top ten with Ryan Seacrest? Or somewhere in between?
Matt: Somewhere in between.
Riley: I gotcha. How does it feel to have the fan base you have?
Matt: It feels nice when we are over 1000 miles from where we live and sometimes hundreds of people are there for us. It feels nice and at home.
Riley: As we’ve discussed before, my favorite song by you guys is “Jimmy, Bob, & Jack”. To which is now my 12 year old son's favorite song as well. We were both a little bummed that it didn’t make the cut for “Good To Be”. Do you see it possibly making it on a future album? Or will it be one of those treats you get by seeing you guys live?
Matt: From what I understand it will be recorded in the studio at some time. We have hundreds of songs that have never been put on an album yet, so there is much to work with.
Riley: Awesome. Who are your inspirations (musically and personal)?
Matt: Zappa and my parents.
Riley: I really dig that you guys record on analog first before converting to digital. What prompted you to do this and is this something that you will continue to do for future recordings?
Matt: The quality of sound that you get from tape is a lot warmer than what you get on digital equipment. We plan on recording on 2 inch tape as much as possible. However, I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that we might do something digitally in the future.
Riley: Outside of Illinois, what are your top three venues to play?
Matt: New Hope, PA (John and Peter's and For the Music Only [I will count that as one place, even though one is a bar and one is a house]), Joe's Pub (NYC), Top Hat (Missoula, MT)
Riley: I know that Dave plays with you when he can. Is there going to be a permanent spot for him? Or is it more or less just letting a bud jam with you?
Matt: His name is Scott Tipping and he does play with us about 99% of the time. He is a big part of the touring act and he might be helping out with the next album as well. Thanks for the ongoing support Riley!
Riley: I don’t know why the hell I said Dave. Sorry about that. Thanks again Matt. I really appreciate it. And like the great Tom Waits said “No, I don’t have a drinking problem except when I can’t get a drink”. So here's to you my friends. Hopefully we’ll see you in Dallas soon. Keep Rocking.