Peter Mayer Interview
by Hurricane De§

D: My husband assures me that guys don't mind being asked this, so here goes: What is your birthdate?

PM: June 29, 1958

D: Who were your first musical influences?

PM: The Beatles were definitely. In India I heard them for the first time. "Please Please Me" was the first song I heard by them on 45.

D: When and how did you hook up with Buffett?

PM: Our group PM did an album on Warner Brothers records, and our producer Elliot Scheiner was asked to do "Off To See The Lizard". So he asked us if we would like to do the album. One thing led to another and here we are.

D: What are your favorite venues to play with Buffett?

PM: Great Woods, Irvine, Chicago (any venue), The Gorge (George, Washington), Merriweather Post, Blossom; they all have a good feel. You'd think I'd mention St. Louis but I've got too many friends and family members to get tickets for, so I'm going to bow out on that one. Some of the indoor places have been really fine as well, Nashville, St. Petes, whatever they're called.

D: What are your favorite venues to play with Peter Mayer?

PM: Each town has its particular stars and spangles but the ones that come to mind are Cafe Milano in Nashville, Canal Street Tavern in Dayton Ohio, The Duck Room, St. Louis Mo., Reefers in Baltimore, The Four Corners in New Hampshire, The Stark Mill Brewery in NH. Each night is its own animal, so no offense to whomever I left out.

D: How do your audiences for your solo shows (that is, sans Buffett) compare with the Buffett/Coral Reefers audiences?

PM: I don't think I can answer that.

D: Do you get weary of people constantly asking you Buffett-related questions?

PM: Well..... lets put it this way: You're in a bar and a guy comes up to you and says, "Hey baby, what's your sign? Want to dance"? [Then] Another guy comes up to you and says, "I was just noticing the way you lifted your ring finger when you drink your vodka and soda, and I find that very attractive, I've been sitting over across the room had the strong desire to meet you. Would you care to join me for a drink?" Some people you dance with; some you don't.

D: What kind of guitars do you play? (We already know what strings you use..... ;-)

PM: I play a Lawden, a Laravee and Fender guitars. I use a guild 12 string as well, and with Jimmy occasionally a mandolin.

D: Does touring ever take a toll on your family life?

PM: No details please. It's hard. No question. I would quit in a second and go home if I didn't love to play.. I say thanks every day for the people I call home.

D: Does your family ever accompany you on tour?

PM: Once in a while...

D: Why can't we find your CDs at CDnow and EveryCD and online retailers such as that? Are they distributed solely by Pool Party Records?

PM: The distribution has been a challenge. It needs to be better, and we're working on that. The best way to get the album is to order from Little Flock, or Pool Party, or simply ask your record store to order it. If enough people did that we might start something.

D: How did the name "Little Flock" come to be?

PM: My dad's favorite hymn. [De§'s mom's too; she couldn't believe I asked him that...]

D: Numerous references have been made to your surgery. What was that about?

PM: This sounds more like full psychological exam! Scars where the sun don't shine.

D: Has the Key West bug bitten you? Do you like to spend time there?

PM: Key West has a magic, that's for sure. I have a love for Key West that lies mainly in the lives of the wonderful people I have met down there. It is in such a fragile balance now. Our tendency is to see a good thing and build and build it till it breaks. Let's hope the plannng commission has good foresighted people on it. I prefer to live in a place called home, and carry that to all my favorite magic places throughout the year. Right now it's the yellow line in the middle of the highway.

Peter goes on to say that the "chances are the next thing to be released is the new CD", and he's hoping that'll be by the end of the year. There was a live video which was broadcast in May in Spain, but, in Pete's words, "good luck finding that one". He says that he and his family get away for a couple of months every summer, and that last year was in Mexico. From what I gleaned from our talks, though, vacations are few and far between.

I found it amazing, in light of Peter's solo shows, his appearances with Jimmy Buffett and all the recording sessions in between, that he finds the time to be so accessible to his fans and friends. Artists of his calibre, who, in addition to their myriad talents and scheduling conflicts, find the time to keep fans apprised of the latest news and interesting stories from the road, are few and far between. Peter Mayer is to be commended for not abandoning his roots and for remaining a true fan's performer, as well as an "artist's artist". Thank you, Mr. Mayer, for your valuable time.