MOTHER ROAD’s new album is a great record, but it took quite long to release the follow-up to the debut, why was that?
Well, the actual song writing and recording process didn’t take long at all.  We actually disbanded after going through the nightmare of mismanagement. After quite some time had gone by, Chris and I decided to go ahead and give it one more try and start on a second record. At that point we had to work around our own personal work schedules, because without label support we could only do so much at a time. Wefinished it though… :))

Back to your previous bands, what happened to SOUL DOCTOR and especially STEELHOUSE LANE, because I love their records?
I can only speak for S.H.L. as I don’t really know anything about Soul Doctor. S.H.L. really started off as a paid for hire job which turned into me being a part of the songwriting.  On the second record along with Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann). After the second record was completed I was offered the job with Michael Schenker.  Which I did a world tour and double live record called The Unforgiven World Tour Live. After the second S.H.L. record was released in Europe and Japan, there really wasn’t enough of a buzz to generate the kind of interest we needed to justify
financing anything further. I am glad that you and so many enjoy those records, I am truly honored.

MOTHER ROAD is clearly influenced by WHITESNAKE, FREE and BAD COMPANY, am I correct and what are your other influences?
We are definitely influenced by more of the late 60’ and 70’s rock music. That’s what we grew up with. Speaking for myself, I was actually more influenced by Hendrix,Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Led Zeppelin & Peter Frampton as well as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings during my early childhood. Later on in my early teens I really got into John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and the blues. Especially since the area where I grew up in Texas has produced a lot of talent, including Edgar and Johnny Winter, ZZ Top,The Big Bopper, Janis Joplin..etc…
So it’s only natural that all of those influences come out through the music.We never try to copy anybody. We just do what comes natural to us. You can’t deny your influences. Nor can you re-invent the wheel. I toured with John Sykes in Europe years ago and did a lot of hanging out with him. He’s one of the coolest guys on the planet. I absolutely love his playing and song writing. To be compared to Whitesnake is a huge compliment. However at the same time, I have my own style and voice, and don’t make any attempts at emulating anyone else. Everybody always wants to put a label on a band or music as a comparison. Just like everyone did by comparing Whitesnake to Led Zeppelin. Similar taste, but completely different in a lot of
respects.

I would like to ask the stories behind some of the songs on your new album, such as Fools Gold, Sticks And Stones, Without You and closing track Southland?
The song FOOLS GOLD was written during the political chaos that the U.S. had been going through at the time. I had to quit watching the news because it just pissed me off every time I watched it and listen to all of the lies and bullshit being said over and over again. It’s still going on. Without getting too political, I’ll just leave it at this… When one side is allowed to lie and cheat to gain power, then it’s no longer a true democracy. Silencing the other side by making up bullshit stories of how racist and hateful the country is (when statistics from the Department of Justice prove that it’s an absolute lie), then how in the world is that supposed to benefit the country? As history has shown us, dividing a nation leads to weakness and turmoil. So… long story longer… FOOLS GOLD is about the FOOLS in ourgovernment who so selfishly continue to divide this great country for their own personal greed and power. It seems as if people have either forgotten or were never properly taught about the travesties of the past, and now we’re doomed to repeat them.

STICKS AND STONES is about the consequences of dividing people via disinformation and propaganda. You end up with communism and totalitarianism.

WITHOUT YOU is a song that I actually wrote a long time ago and made a few changes for the record. I write a lot of songs on acoustic guitar, as is the case with this song. It is simply a story of how hard it is to lose someone you truly love.

SOUTHLAND is just a good old, Southern, back-yard, family BBQ type song that I believe people everywhere can relate to. It’s a song about family, and getting together to celebrate
and enjoy life, and each others company. Just simple and fun.

How do you feel about the return of vinyl, because also the new MOTHER ROAD is available on vinyl, right?
Yes, both records are available on vinyl. I think its great! Nothing sounds as good as vinyl in my
opinion.

When touring will be possible again, will you be coming over to Europe?
I certainly hope so. All of these lockdowns have brought people to the verge of insanity. It’s time to bring some joy and fun back to the world.

If gigs aren't allowed also this year, how will you promote this album besides doing countless interviews, streaming concerts or already writing for a future album?
That’s a great question. Unfortunately I do not have the answer for that. Other than the methods you have already mentioned, I don’t see any other way to promote and please an audience other than live shows. I think that the virtual, online shows are uninspiring, and would not work for this band. Our style of music is passionate and dynamic. A lot of our energy and how we perform, comes from crowd interaction. Without that it’s just midnight karaoke.

A few short questions that you hopefully are willing to share with us:
- Favorite band of all times:  Led Zeppelin
- Favorite album of all times: PRESENCE (Led Zeppelin)
- Favorite music genre besides Melodic Hardrock/Metal:  AMERICANA
- Best concert ever visited: SWEDISH ROCK FEST 1999
- Last concert visited:  ZZ TOP, BAD CO. & CHEAP TRICK @ THE WOODLANDS PAVILLION 2020
- Best performed concert by your band:  SOON TO COME ;)
- Last performed concert by your band: N/A
- First bought record (or CD):  THE MONSTER MASH
- Last bought record (or CD):  RYAN ADAMS - LOVE IS HELL
- Most precious moment in your life (could be non-music related): I am blessed to have so many. My wedding day would have to be one.
Also the day my wife and I were told that she was clear of cancer.
- 2020 is...  GONE!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
- 2021 is so far...  Better in some ways and worse in others.
- 2022 will be... I am very hopeful for the future. Unfortunately I am not Nostradamus or I would be rich and saving the world at the same time..lol
- First thing you do when restrictions is over and you’re free to do whatever you want to do?
We are not restricted here in Texas. Which is why we haven’t had as many deaths as a lot of other States in the U.S. My wife and I both had the virus and recovered days afterwards. We both have also just had our vaccines too. People need to take responsibility for themselves and do what is best for them and not rely on government to make the wisest decisions. I believe that Texas is one of the last places where true freedom exist. The State has done an excellent job of informing and protecting the vulnerable. While at the same time not infringing on our Constitutional rights. The key is to NEVER RELY on government.. PERIOD! I live in the moment to the fullest. No regrets or living in the past. There’s no future in the past…lol  I want to eventually go mountain biking in Europe. So many great places to ride. Who knows? Maybe sky diving as well… ;))
I would just like to say THANK YOU for allowing me the opportunity to do this interview. I would also like to thank each and everyone of you that have offered your support and kindness. May God bless you with abundance every day of your life!! Namaste Keith W. Slack