A Conversation with Colin Gilmore – HuffPost 3.30.12

Mike Ragogna: Colin, what does Woody Guthrie mean to you?

Colin Gilmore: To me, Woody Gutherie was the voice that made having a conscience seem fun. I guess becoming our nation’s musical folk hero just came along with the territory. No one could have opened our country’s eyes like he did.

MR: What kind of a mark do you think he’s left on the culture?

CG: He really set the tone for our musical heritage. If you think about our nation as having a sound track for the last 100 years, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like had he not been around. Music could have been all warm fuzzy feelings, or it could have been all boring protest songs, and he made sure we understood that these two views were different limbs of the same body.

MR: Which Woody Guthrie songs do you think have the most resonance these days?

CG: “A Picture From Life’s Other Side,” “Jesus Christ,” “Deportees,” “This Land Is Your Land.” These are songs about justice and the human spirit. These topics aren’t going out of style any time soon.

MR: What’s Colin Gilmore doing these days?

CG: Recording, writing, traveling, working, searching for inspiration. Just filmed a video for my upcoming album. Trying to play out as much as possible, make new fans and impress the old fans.

MR: So there’s a new album coming soon?

CG: There is. This upcoming album will be my third, shooting to have it out later this year. Recording in Chicago and in Austin taking advantage of the digital age, but finding good old-fashioned chemistry with the people I’m recording with.

MR: Colin, what advice do you have for new artists?

CG: Always remember that the love of the music is ultimately what keeps the whole thing going. It’s a hard thing to remember because there are times when it feels like promotion and hype are the whole game. If you’re truly making music from the heart, you’re helping to make it an industry worth saving.