Features

Reflections on 2012 from Grace Potter, Johnny Winter, Tim Reynolds, Anders Osborne

ANDERS OSBORNE

Photo by Dino Perrucci

What will you remember most about 2012?

I will remember my holiday spectacular and I think unfortunately the school shooting will stick with me as well. I think the school shooting up in Newtown Connecticut; I think that’s something pretty devastating. But on a positive note, I’d say my holiday spectacular is one of the most memorable things I did all year. It was just a fantastic event. It was a hit. Everybody was so good. Everybody worked so hard to make it successful and it was wonderful. I’m proud of all of us.

What album or albums have you listened to the most this past year?

I think I have probably listened to Jackson Browne’s For Everyman the most. It’s an old record. I think it’s either that one or John Coltrane’s Ballads.

What was your favorite show of 2012?

I’d say my holiday spectacular! I thought it was wonderful. As far as what I watched, I thought one of the best shows that I caught was Mule in Vail. I thought they sounded really good that night. I can prop some of my friends as well! Not just myself.

Are there any emerging bands that readers should watch out for in 2013?

I think they should keep an eye out for MyNameIsJohnMichael from New Orleans. I think they should keep an eye on Eric Tessmer band out of Austin, Texas. And I think everybody should get to know Billy Iuso and his group Restless Natives. Those would be my three bands to introduce to people.

[MyNameIsJohnMichael] are just really really good. They deserve a national break. They’re wonderful. They’re unique, they’re special, they got something going on. It’s a little bit more pop but they can jam. You know what I mean? They’re cats from around here [New Orleans] and I think it’d be something that most crowds would like, even in the jamband scene. I think we’d all really enjoy what they do. They can stretch if they have to.

Any big plans in the works for 2013?

Well, I’m going to make my next record. We’re starting that in February. I’ve got a bunch of productions I’m working. Some local artists, some Canadian artists. I’m finishing off Clarence Bucardo and Johnny Sansone. Ross Neilson, he’s got sort of a power boogie trio from New Brunswick. Got Mia Borders, there’s a bunch of productions. And then probably about the time the new record comes out, not the EP but the next one, let’s say, we got festival season starting in May and we’ll do a lot of that. I got my plate full.

2013 marks the 40th year of Relix Magazine. Do you remember the first time you read Relix? Is there an article that stands out for you?

For me, it probably wasn’t that long ago. I did a H.O.R.D.E. tour in the early 90s. We played Denver. That might have been around when those magazines showed up. Either that or around the Wetlands in New York ’94 or ’95 when I used to go up there.