American Hi-Fi’s Stacy Jones – HuffPost 8.19.10

Mike Ragogna: You’ve got a really good sense of pop songwriting — who are your influences?

Stacy Jones: Well, I grew up listening to pop rock music. My parents were really into The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, and they had Fleetwood Mac albums and The Eagles. You know, the first concert I ever saw was ABBA in ’79. I went to Wembley Arena with my parents and saw ABBA there. So, I grew up on popular music, and that’s always been my love. I like a melody, some big guitars, and call it a day, you’re good.

MR: I think most people still are especially fond of acts that know how to write good songs.

SJ: I appreciate that. That’s something that we try to do. And how about this? We actually play our instruments on the records too.

MR: Over the years, there have been a lot of acts that have thrown in the towel because they can’t compete with the level of bogus that’s going on in radioland right now…and there are standard-bearers like — okay, I’ll say it — John Mayer.

SJ: Oh, I love John Mayer.

MR: His music is always good, songwriting always dependable, and his Rolling Stone rant on masturbation is required reading.

SJ: I agree. I’m a big fan of Mayer for a lot of reasons. I think his music is great, he’s a great guitar player, I really like his lyrics, he’s a great lyricist, and I think he’s really smart. I’ve hung out with him a couple of times, and he’s a really nice guy. He’s charming, and I have not seen the, whatever you call it, the self-proclaimed douchebaggery myself. But I’m a big Mayer fan. I’m backing him one hundred percent.

MR: I remember him winning the Grammy for best new artist and James Taylor giving the award to him.

SJ: The passing of the torch action there?

MR: Exactly. In my opinion, there are a lot more artists worthy of the torch such as Jason Mraz.

SJ: You know what? I think Jason Mraz is cool. I don’t know that much about him, I don’t listen to his records, but he seems like a good guy, and he knows how to write a good song. So, I’m backing him.