The Rippingtons’ Russ Freeman – HuffPost 10.19.12

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists?

Russ Freeman: Wow! That’s a tough question. We talk about this a lot. We talk about the fact that it’s much more difficult now, revenue streams are smaller and it’s just challenging. I think you’ve got to have the passion to do it, obviously, and the drive and other than that to just hone your craft and wait for some good luck. We all need the good luck.

MR: Yeah, it’s really hard on a new artist because you not only have to be a new artist but you also have to do your own social networking, like I mentioned earlier.

RF: Well it’s a double-edged sword, I think, Michael, because social networking has obviously really changed the landscape of how people perceive artists and your ability to get your music out. We didn’t have that when we started. That’s a positive thing. You know what else? I think it’s really positive that we have such an amalgam of styles being blended together. If we can keep things from being in boxes and try to get players together and different styles together… Look at Zakk Wylde. He came over from a total rock ‘n’ roll place to play on our record and it was an incredible success. I have to hand it to Zakk, and there’s another guy who has his craft together, who is creative enough to really want to try something different.

MR: Yeah. Well, coming from Ozzy roots, that was an amazing piece.

RF: Yeah, so when you go back to looking at success and why is Zakk so successful, well he’s got craft and he’s willing to try new things and that’s an important thing.