Rodgers and Liza...A Match Made in Heaven

If someone asked me, what would your ultimate dream be, if would have to be a multiple choice answer, since I am the dreamer extraordinaire. I know that one of my responses would be, since I love music and am a performer myself, to get to sing with Liza Minnelli, one of the greatest talents in the business. Well, I am going to live that dream vicarously through the subject of this interview, the amazing award winning singer/songwriter,pianist Johnny Rodgers.

Johnny Rodgers Rodgers is celebrating the release of his new recording EP Let's Make A Date, which features the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning Minnelli. The release coincides with Rodgers' Broadway debut in Minnelli's new show at The Palace Theatre, which opens December 3rd, 2008 and continues through December 28. Rodgers has been featured and toured North and South America and Europe with Minnelli and her orchestra.

The EP also contains a fabulous cover of the Randy Newman song You Can Leave Your Hat On. Rodgers has performed that song at many of Minnelli's concerts, accompanied by Liza's dance steps. The EP recordings are available now for special pre-sale on CDFreedom.com and JohnnyRodgers.com. and will be on iTunes, Amazon.com, and other outlets soon.

Rodgers has had the great opportunities to share the stage with some incredible artists like Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, smooth jazz recording artist Dave Koz, Michael Feinstein and Oscar, Tony, Grammy-winning composer Stephen Schwartz to performing for Billy Joel at Lincoln Center's ASCAP Founders Awards.

Show Business Weekly has said that Rodgers "like a combination Elton John, Billy Joel and James Taylor all rolled into one." Rodgers has won the MAC Award, Backstage Magazine's Bistro Award and Best One Man Show by Show Business Weekly for his New York performances. His recordings Midday Moon & She were ranked #1 & #2 Jazz Song by OurStage.com in May and June, 2008. His songwriting talents have earned him acclaim, winning the New York Sheet Music Society's Gerald Marks Award and the Songwriters Hall of Fame Abe Oldman Award.

Rodgers just happened to be touring with Liza and stopping in my hometown of Woonsocket, RI, so I wanted to check in with him about his new CD, life as a musician and, yes folks, of course, the legend herself, Liza.

TJ:  You must be so excited about the release of the EP of Let's Make a Date? 

RODGERS:  Oh, yeah!  I was thrilled when Liza came to record the duet with me.It was an incredible session.  We had six horns from Liza's orchestra plus my band and recorded the whole track live together.  I think that's the best way to really capture the energy of a song like this, especially with Liza.  She's the best live performer in the world, so to have the opportunity to sing in the studio, with all of her energy coming right at you, is an overwhelming and wonderful experience.  She's a force of nature!

Also, we had Bill "Pappy" LaVorgna as a special guest on drums.  It was his last recording and we dedicate the recording to his living memory.  

TJ:  What a great tribute! Tell, me, how did you first meet Liza? 

RODGERS:  Jim Caruso introduced me to lots of people when I first moved to New York, including Fred Ebb.  I used to play Christmas parties at Fred's apartment.  You can imagine the talent on that guest list.  I met Liza at his party and a number of other parties, and eventually got the chance to play piano for her at a charity event.  We had a great time and really hit it off.  She asked me if I'd like to go on tour and see the world with her and after careful consideration... immediately said YES!  It's been a dream ever since.  

TJ:  A dream that is envied by many, I am sure. So, how did you come up with the idea for this song, which by the way, I absolutely adore... 

RODGERS:  I was thinking of a way to celebrate our friendship, which I treasure, in song.  Music is always the best way to communicate love.I knew I wanted it to be a fun swing groove with a brassy horn sound.  My friend Brian Lane Green helped me with the lyrics. 

Liza helped me shape it so it would be the perfect fit for us.  Her instincts are the best in the world.  I always play my new songs for her, because I value and trust her taste and opinions so completely.   

TJ:  How long have you been touring with Liza? 

RODGERS:  It's been an unforgettable 3 years, first as her pianist, and now singing and dancing as one of the Williams brothers in the Kay Thompson show.  It's been a complete education, with so much to learn in each of those roles in the show.  

TJ:  I am of the belief that learning is doing and what a great opportunity for you to learn from the best in the business. When did you first realize that you wanted to be in the music business?  

RODGERS:  I've never done anything else.  I have always known that this is where my heart is and I always try to follow my heart.  What else is there? 

TJ:  Was it difficult for you to break into the business? 

RODGERS:  After college, I started playing in piano bars, mainly Davenport's in Chicago.  New York artists would come through with their shows, giving me the chance to meet and make music with some really great people.  That's really where I developed the relationships that set up my move to New York.  

TJ:  I noticed that you are coming from Milan to play in my hometown of Woonsocket, RI for four performances. Will this be the same show you will be doing in NYC at the Palace Theatre with Liza? 

RODGERS:  Probably.  Woonsocket is our last stop before the Palace, and I know Liza and our director, the legendary Ron Lewis, will be focusing and tightening the show with every performance.  They are quite a team.  Again, this is a great education on so many levels.  It's very inspiring to be a part of it.  

TJ:  What can you tell me about the show? 

RODGERS:  I can tell you that you don't want to miss it. I know it will include Liza's hits that everyone wants to hear.  It will also include some brand new material.  I am honored to say that I, along with Billy Stritch and Brian Lane Green, have written a new song specially created for Liza that will be included in the first act.  The song is called, "I Would Never Leave You," and it has been one of the great thrills of my life to hear her sing it.   

TJ:  You also have a Christmas CD coming out at the same time. My friends call me Mr Christmas as it is my favorite holiday of the year. Tell me more about this project. 

RODGERS:  That song is called "Lord Let the Angels Sing," and it was written in a flash of inspiration.  I love it when a song comes like that, fully completed. It was literally delivered to me on Christmas Eve, while I stared at the Miami night sky on the hood of my car.  It was truly a Christmas gift.

We have a special guest vocalist on that track, too;  Ben Taylor, an inspiring talent.  It was a joy to have the chance to sing with him, and I look forward to making more music together.  

TJ:  Is it true that you will also be doing a gig at Birdland in December?? What's happening there? 

RODGERS:  We're doing a release party on Monday night, December 29^th at Birdland.  It will include lots of surprises and special guests, and what a great way to celebrate all the wonderful things that are happening.  I've been very blessed this year.  

TJ:  So, to say the least, your life is very busy and very exciting. What's up next for you in 2009? 

RODGERS:  We'll see.  More music, more fun, more blessings... for all of us!

I actually saw the Liza show...TWICE....in Woonsocket and it was a magical experience. Liza is a pinnacle of explosive talent and she is at the top of her game. She does it all including a wonderfully touching and vibrant tribute to her godmother, Kay Thompson, in the second act. New York audiences are in for an extraordinary treat with Johnny and his electrically talented castmates, Jim Caruso, Cortés Alexander, Tiger Martina and the incomparable Bill Stritch. Show times at the Palace Theatre are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Sundays at 3 PM.  The Palace Theatre is located at Broadway and 47th Street. Tickets, priced $25-$125, will be available by calling (212) 307-4100 or (800) 755-4000. For more information visit www.lizasatthepalace.com.

And don't miss Johnny at Birdland, Manhattan's premier club. Rodgers will be celebrating the release of two new CD releases on December 29th at 7:00 PM.  Doors open at 5:30 PM. Birdland is located at 315 W 44th Street, New York, NY and for tickets, call 212-581-3080. So for now, ciao and remember, theatre is my life!!