“Kevin Costner’s got my Swing Vote!”

Kevin Costner and Modern West Swing into Chicago

By Kimberly Katz
feedback@buzznews.net

“Politics and showbiz, it’s the same thing these days.” That’s a quote from Kevin Costner’s 1997 hit film, “The Bodyguard”. Costner’s character, a former bodyguard for the President, is doubtful about protecting a celebrity in show business as opposed to a high powered political figure and asks why he is receiving help from the government to protect her. He receives the above answer along with “She’s a big star, important people care about her.” In actuality, showbiz has always been the same thing as politics. When you present your philosophies to the public, political or otherwise, through the powerful dramatic medium of filmmaking or music you can’t help but politically influence minds and open hearts to seeing the world in a new way.

Which brings me back to Kevin Costner and his band Modern West as they tour the country helping to promote his new film, Swing Vote. The film Swing Vote is a story about a man who finds himself with the power to choose the next President of the United States by casting a single vote. Disney will release the film on August 1st and I already love the premise. Millions of people will not see a film like Recount which retells the voting fiasco in my home state of Florida; thousands of black and senior citizen voters were “purged” from voting lists and not allowed to vote or have their votes recounted, hence effectively “stealing” a presidency in our country. But those same millions who won’t see a film like that will go to see the comedy/drama Swing Vote with their kids. They will be reminded not only of the importance of voting, but of the importance of the power of counting “one person- one vote.”

Hey, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. In fact, when I was a kid we were all told in school that any of us common folk could become president - male or female, black or white. To vote and be counted was a point of great pride in our family. My grandparents Irving and Lillian Newmark being descendants of Russian Jewish immigrants, who really believed in the land of freedom and democracy, always voted and headed the boards of their Temple and Hadassah groups. The truth is we are ALL practicing politicians when we vote or make a contribution to a charity we believe in like stem cell treatment or Green causes. These simple acts are the very basis of political action in practice. To his credit, Costner consistently chooses subjects in his work that motivate healthy political pride in the United States and by extension, the world.

Kevin and his longtime band mates including John Coinman, Teddy Morgan, Blair Forward, Park Chisholm, Larry Cobb and the exquisite violinist Bobby Yang, have put together a very pleasing lineup of talented musicians playing mostly original music composed by the full band. Kevin’s band also performed for the soundtrack of the movie and is even featured in a scene.

Our own local band, Majors Junction, opened for them at their recent show at the House of Blues. I was impressed and pleased that Modern West was fully capable of entertaining and holding an audience captive musically, regardless of their attraction to Kevin Costner - the movie star. I would describe their music as a mellow blend of country and southern rock, with a little rockabilly swing to it for good measure. Modern West has the ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy yet pull it back when they need to, creating the perfect tempo of a great rock show. The songs were memorable and meaningful, also the mark of good band. “Every Intention”, “Superman 14”, “Long Hot Night” and “90 Miles an Hour” are just a few of the songs played that really showed the band’s musical chemistry and also allowed the perfect breathing room for Kevin’s vocals to shine.

During our interview I congratulated Kevin on successfully and seriously pursuing his musical dreams at this stage in his career. I haven’t heard anyone taking pot shots at Kevin Costner, the musician, and I’m glad because it would be unwarranted. Many stars over the years have tried to develop and share their multiple talents in music and art and were met with derision and envy, which makes no sense to me. That’s like saying a mathematician can add really well but not multiply or subtract. Artistic skills like dancing and singing, songwriting, and even painting are part and parcel of the makeup or software, if you will, of great artists in all creative mediums. For the sake of the dwindling Arts as a refuge of income and inspiration for our young people in this country, great artistic talents should be held up as examples and not discouraged or written off as dilettantes.

Kevin, on the subject of making music in addition to his successful film career, said with extreme modesty that he “could not change the world but it was important to change himself”. He’s right on the second part. Real change happens within, one person at a time. But my late father, Dr. Katz, often referred to John Lennon and the analogy of a pebble in the water whose ripples reverberate effortlessly and endlessly into the world. This metaphor illustrates that when someone of Kevin Costner’s stature and expertise drops a pebble of music or political satire into the sea of the world, its ripples will be felt and possibly turn into waves, much needed waves of change.

I have to commend Kevin and his band mates again for assembling such a fine team of musicians and for their prolific songwriting abilities- over ten new songs in one year in addition to all of Kevin’s filmmaking duties. I can tell a musical group is on fire with creativity by how many new songs they feel compelled to write.

My company for the concert was my 73-year-old mother, Joanne; I brought her knowing she would enjoy the music and seeing Kevin Costner perform live. Her enjoyment of the evening is testimony to the vastly healing and inspirational power of music as an art form. We were seated back in the disabled section, but during the song “Superman 14”, which I always associate with powerful over comers like the late “Superman” Christopher Reeve, and Jesus himself, my mom and I were inspired to carefully make our way down to the stage into the crowded standing area. Holding hands, she raised hers in victory for her being present and standing, at such an awesome and exciting event. Now, that was a miracle of music in action.

Keep up the good work Kevin Costner and Modern West. I am writing to remind you that the immense pleasure you derive from composing and performing your goodhearted, positive music is a powerfully positive political act, in and of itself. You’ve got my vote!

Be sure to see our exclusive full video interview with Kevin Costner on The Greenroom with Kim Katz only on www.BuzzNews.TV!

Buzz- Thank you for being here.

Kevin Costner- Yeah, I’m glad you came.

Buzz- Yeah, me too. I’m glad I came to your concert last year in Milwaukee, because I totally got turned on to your music- and as people know, I’m not a big country fan but I totally got turned on to your music. And you’re playing tonight at the House of Blues in Chicago; I can’t wait to see you then. You did like a 2-hour plus concert last time, with a very talented backing band: John Coinman, Teddy Morgan, Blair Forward.

Kevin- We’re kind of all together- I’ve kind of been in front, but that’s pretty much what’s been happening my whole career - it’s pretty much a real family affair.

Buzz- Yeah, you’ve been together with these guys quite a long time?

Kevin- Yes - John, and Blair were in the first band I was ever in. Sometimes when you end up where we end up in life, like I have, and there’s a moment in time where people quit putting your life in reverse and focus on where you came from. Because, well it’s like you’ve landed on Mars, Hollywood Mars, and you go, “Wow I really wanted this life”. And maybe you see the beginnings of it, if you want to look back forensically- you know you understand the little jobs you do, and the times that you go without a check, the times that you look at your friends who have cars, and their first house- maybe even their second house, and you don’t even have a thing in the bank. So you don’t know what’s going to happen with your life. I started with John, in acting workshops - he played music and I sang in choirs and we always traveled around. We eventually had a little band together.

Buzz- Wait, so you were doing music before you were acting professionally?

Kevin - I was singing and I had been in the church from early on, my grandma played the organ and I took classical piano and did musicals and that kind of thing, and you just, you know, move around and acting took a bigger priority and I started to go the right direction and we just stopped doing music for a while. I got married to my second wife, Christine, and she encouraged me to do the music thing again.

Buzz- Good for her to encourage that! I want to acknowledge you for pursuing your musical dreams. For decades it seemed like whenever an artist tried to do something like painting, or music, or other forms of creativity other than the ones that they were known for, people would just shoot them down.

Kevin- Yeah, they think of that as just a novelty. You and I are not going to change the world…

Buzz- We’re not? (laughs)



Kevin - Well (laughs), the important thing is that I change. And actually one of the last songs we’re going to sing tonight is called “Hey Man, What About You?” You know, some things happen to me - has it happened to you? And the idea behind that is that when you go through life, I mean, no one expected me to make it as an actor - I’m not even sure my parents thought that I would make it through kindergarten - I wasn’t exactly the best student. But we live in a world that wants to limit us - and we just can’t let that happen. We can bawl, we can be afraid, we can hold back… And, you know, If I didn’t think we had anything to offer, we wouldn’t do this. We simply wouldn’t do it. I think I would hopefully be smart enough not to put myself out there and risk whatever reputation I have for some kind of vanity.

Buzz- Right, right.

Kevin- We’re not based in covers, we’re based on originals.

Buzz- And I love your originals. They’re really good - it’s very difficult to write original music!

Kevin- It’s difficult to hold onto an audience live, because if they’re not able to sing and tap along at some point, they check out.

Buzz- Right, well at the last concert your fans were dancing and singing along and absolutely loving it, and I’m sure they will be tonight as well!

Kevin- That’s a hope, just a hope.

Buzz- (laughs) Of course! Are you kidding? You’re so wonderful. They’re just going to love you. You’re music is really good. Your voice sounds great- I think it sounds even better than last time I saw you perform! I know you’re just getting back into it, but as you tour more, your voice gets stronger, and deeper, and more expressive and you all just start to gel.

Kevin- Yeah, I mean I think probably from a year ago we’ve already written 10 new songs.

Buzz- Wow, you wrote 10 new songs?

Kevin- Well, we wrote more than that…

Buzz- Wow! Well, that’s a lot of work when you’re doing all of that other stuff on the road.

Kevin- Well we wrote about 10 songs for Swing Vote, a movie that’s coming out in August, and 4 of the songs made it. And it wasn’t up to me if they made it or not, the director picked them. He liked them, and the composer liked them, and actually took one of the tunes and stripped away the lyrics and played a score to it.

Buzz- So we’re going to get to see you performing music in Swing Vote?

Kevin- Per script, the band is actually in the movie, yeah.

Buzz- Excellent, and you’re going to do something on the 4th of July?

Kevin - We’re going to play at the old minor league stadium where we shot Bull Durham.

Buzz- Oooh, how groovy - that’s so romantic, so neat. They’re going to love that! 4th of July, Kevin Costner, playing music!

Kevin- Everyone will end up with tattoos, it’ll be perfect.

Buzz- Oh my god, perfect- crushing beer cans on your head (laughs). And then you’re doing something on the 5th as well?

Kevin- (laughs) We’re going to be in Daytona, at the racetrack.

Buzz- A totally raucous party, with beer, and cars, and you playing…fabulous! You’re planning your tour very well. Each event has a really magical flavor.

Kevin- I want to make sure my audience has to take one step out of the truck to come (laughs).

Buzz- (laughs) No, you know, I think that country music fans are a little more sophisticated than they used to be.

Kevin- Well, we’re not country though.

Buzz- Not pure country, no - how would you describe your music?

Kevin- I don’t know how to describe our sound really. It’s not that we’re running from country, it’s just that I think it has a pretty big rock bent to it.

Buzz- Yeah, you’re right it does- you totally rock out!

Buzz- I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. What people may not know is that you were sweet enough, and kind enough to remember something I wrote about you over a year ago and invite me to the show and my father, rest in peace, would have been so blown away by that gesture.

Kevin- Did you lose your father this year?

Buzz- 2 years ago, and also my brother - to a disease which is very much like Parkinson’s, and I know that you were just honored at a benefit supporting Parkinson’s research... What an awesome person you are, and I want people to know that. I mean, my dad would have been so blown away - this was his dream for me, to be talking to people like you and to be writing. For you to acknowledge my writing, which is what he commented on would have just - he’d be doing jumping jacks around us, thank you so much!

Kevin- Yeah, there’s nothing harder than being a Mom or a Pop, because all you want is for your kid to be liked by other kids, treated well by other kids, and then for them to find their way professionally. That’s when I think they can rest in peace.

Buzz- Right, I really feel that he’s sitting here svitzing, and tapping you on the shoulder and saying thank you. Thank you. Well, I can’t wait to see you play tonight! What’s the website for the band, so people can check out your music?

Kevin - Now this is going to sound really funny, I think it’s called - and I’m serious- you’re going to go ‘are you kidding me?’ Kevin Costner Website. I have a MySpace too, for Modern West. I feel like I was raised with wolves - I don’t really understand the Internet and the computers and all.

Buzz- Very cute wolves, handsome wolves! (laughs)

Kevin (laughs) But yeah, we’re on MySpace and there’s also a genuine website called KevinCostner.com.

Buzz- Yeah, the MySpace is very nice, and you can hear some clips from your latest album on there and find out where Modern West is touring next. You’ve got to check it out, it’s like a fantasy - a movie come to life - and it’s playing music from Modern West.