This is a wonderful and exciting time for the band Highway 9. In the last issue of the newsletter, we spoke with Highway 9's Gordon Brown about the history of the band, how they made it to the Pony stage and success on the local scene.  Now, we'll discuss their signing with Sony Records, their upcoming new album and the thoughts of a band in-between that strange time between signing with a national label and actually breaking on to the national scene. Do not miss your opportunity to see Highway 9, with special guests Borialis, when they rock the Pony on Saturday, November 17th. This could be your chance to see a great band about to break into the big-time, and you can say that you 'em when.

The Stone Pony: Can you share some of the experiences surrounding Highway 9's signing with Sony Records? How were the first connections made between Sony and the band, and what was the process by which the contract was finally signed? What were the feelings among the band when the deal was sealed, and did you all do anything to celebrate?

GB: We showcased in NYC and LA for a bunch of labels and we decided to go with Epic/Sony. They have Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Travis, and Incubus, basically some of the greatest talent in the world. Michael Caplan (SR. VP of A&R) came down to see us play and went on the Howard Stern show announcing he had just signed "a great new band from NJ called Samhill". Only this was three months before we signed the deal. That's how positive he was about it. He knew he had put himself out on the line and that meant a lot to us. He shared the vision of what we wanted our music to sound like and that was really most important. We signed in March of 2001 and went down to Nashville to celebrate and also start recording our music in June.

The Stone Pony: Highway 9's first album with Sony is scheduled for release in March.  What can you tell us about the album and the songs that will be included? Does the album have a title yet? What will the sound of the album say about the direction that Highway 9 plans to move musically? When will fans be able to hear the album for the first time, and are there any plans for a release party?

GB: Song List

Say You're Mine
Casanova
Heroine
Tug of War
Between Your Eyes and Mine
Had Enough
Break
Sadly
Pain and Suffering
Yesterday Came Out All Wrong
Ain't Nothing but Love
Quicksand Town

We're kicking titles around right now.  We're going to release a 5 song EP in Dec to all the stores so everyone can start to sample the record as we get out on the road.  We're gonna have 4 songs from the album ("Sadly", "Tug of War", "Casanova" and a special acoustic version of "Yesterday Came Out All Wrong") as well as one track that didn't make the album. It's a demo version of a song called "Stand Here Waiting". We thought that would make it special and give everyone something that wasn't on the record. The full album will be available in March and I'm sure we'll do a show at the Pony to celebrate the release. It's very hard to describe the sound of your own band especially when you think that it's unique but the one thing I can definitely say is it's as honest as you can get and I'll go to the grave on that. The production ain't tricky, the songs ain't tricky, and we came to show the world our version of freedom through rock and roll, American rock and roll with a ton of harmonies bringing elements of the West Coast singer songwriter sound and the time honored tradition of where we grew up. If you're a fan of the Stones, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls, the Wallflowers, Crosby Stills and Nash, Sun Volt, Fleetwood Mac, Wilco, Train, the Eagles, and pop radio for the last 20 years, you'll find all that stuff in there, plus a ton more.

The Stone Pony: Are there plans to tour in support of the album? If so, have any decisions been made regarding the length of the tour, or some of the areas the band will play? Are there any other promotional efforts, such as videos, that are planed in support of the CD?

GB: Yes, but it's way too early to be able to discuss the details at this point.

The Stone Pony: The band received the 2001 Asbury Music Award as Top Roots Band. What, exactly, is a "roots" band and how does your style of music fit into the national scene today. Do you think that the success that Highway 9 will achieve on the national level will be because of the direction of the music industry today, or in spite of it?

GB: Ya know, that's funny you'd ask what a roots band is. I think that the meaning is constantly changing. Robert Santelli would be a good person to ask on this one, he's done a full PBS special on Roots music. Just like the term "alternative' meant a lot of things, so does "roots". People started to use the term when they weren't allowed to say "rock and roll" anymore. To me the bands I mentioned earlier have a lot of roots in their music. The "Roots" of rock and roll have elements that consist of a great song with a unique vocal, powered by guitar and American folk and blues tradition. That's just my stupid take on it, I don't really think there is a definitive answer. To have your own sound and do something a lot of people aren't hearing nowadays is very risky. You either break all the walls down and people credit you with reinventing the wheel or you are never able to get out there and turn heads because you are doing something that's different than the norm. We personally believe we have something special to offer to music fans that are ready for a change. People that want to hear the words and be moved again. People that may be looking for a sense of introspection in his or her own lives. We are starting to see bands that feel the same way we do popping up here and there and selling records, it's very inspiring. Whatever the case, we do this because we have to, music did it for us, it's in our blood and we'd rather die trying to make ourselves happy.

The Stone Pony: Obviously, many in the Jersey music scene are watching Highway 9's rise to the national scene with tremendous interest. Not only does everyone feel the band deserves the success they've had, and will hopefully have much more of, but it could be a test for other bands to break out of the scene to national success. Do you feel a certain obligation to the New Jersey music scene, and are you optimistic that Highway 9 will bring exposure to other local musicians?

GB: Well, I appreciate that, Matt. I hope people are behind us. It means the world for us to have the support of the community where you get your start from and of course you want to make everyone proud. This ain't no test though, I can tell you that. If we don't have success, someone else will and if we do have success, it doesn't mean anyone else will. To be honest, I don't believe that if we do well and have a successful record that people are gonna start to flock to the Jersey shore to sign bands and I'll tell you why. That's just not how it works anymore, period end of story. If you're good and you create a buzz throughout the industry, people start to talk. They look at how many people are coming to your shows, how many records you sell on your own, basically if they think you're good enough to do it on your own, then they may take the chance. When Seattle happened there was a cohesive element between a lot of the bands. They were creating a "sound" that became a national commodity. That already happened here 25-30 years ago and now there is so much diversity here that the only way to bring attention to it is to get out there and spread the word of the band you like. We're gonna do our best to bring exposure to other musicians because that's all a part of giving back and it's already happening with the band Borealis. The first time I saw them I went and told my manager Brian Nelson how great this band was. They were playing real honest rock music with hip-hop influence that spoke about where they came from. They had all the elements and they just play for keeps when they perform. We both started to talk them up to a lot of the people that we were working with. One of those people being Andy Slater, who is now the head of Capitol Records, and he immediately signed them. They are about to go start recording their record. We will do that for whomever we can if we believe in the music and see great talent that needs to be heard. Borealis is also doing this show with us on the 17th so don't miss them.

The Stone Pony: Describe what the next twelve months will be like for Highway 9. Where would the band like to be a year from now and what would have to happen for the band to really feel they have "made it"?

GB: I think at this stage of the game it's not about a moment when you've made it as much as it is looking back 30 years from now and saying, "I've made it through." If you can live and survive by playing music with your friends and touch people's lives in some way then that is really all you can hope for. There are ups and downs and peaks and valleys in everyone's career. You have to stand the test of time, stay honest and sincere to your instincts as well as work your ass off and that to me is true success but yea, let's hope we sell a lot of records and tour with some great bands and then go make another record. One step at a time.

The Stone Pony: Any message that you'd like to send to all of the fans at The Stone Pony that have supported the band, and will be coming out to support Highway 9 on November 17th and beyond?

GB: Yes …Peter, Rob, Kevin, Dave and myself would like to thank you … For years of helping us keep our chins up and creating this great environment for us to be a part of. Thank you … for all the great support you've shown giving us the determination to continue to do what we love more than anything in the world. Thanks for being the greatest inspiration for creating music and camaraderie, upholding the tradition that was born in this club and the towns that surround it. We hope our record carries a little faith, some hope, strength, and a few good songs to keep you going when you need it. We'll see ya on the 17.

On November 20 and 21, Infinity radio stations across the United States will partner with WHY for Hungerthon 2001 and support its mission of Reinvesting in America's communities. During Hungerthon, listeners are encouraged to make donations and bid on auction items, while learning about innovative grassroots organizations throughout the country.

Hungerthon serves as WHY's largest annual public outreach, broadcasting to millions of  people with essential information about hunger and poverty. It also provides a radio voice for many of the community-based organizations that work with WHY.  WHY, through its Reinvesting In America program, empowers communities across the nation.