William Staggers is a musician, singer, song-writer, music producer, and central high alum from the class of '87. Recording Solo as well as part of the William Staggers Trio, he has released several albums, including a well received Christmas Experience that every classmate should pick up through his website, www.StaggersMusic.com.
His Trio are performing for the Class Reunion Saturday night, June 9th. Foster Bowman got a chance to catch up with him in Little Rock last week.
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Interview
87: Where did you go and what did you do right after High School? WS: Once I graduated from high school, I attended (P.S.C.) Philander Smith on a music scholarship.
87: What was your first job after College? WS: After College, I was hired as music director for one of the largest churches in the city of Little Rock. I also opened my first recording studio and did live music performances frequently.
87: Did you ever consider doing anything besides pursuing a career in Music? WS: No, I never really considered any other career, because I knew as a child I wanted to be a musician. I remember once telling my mother that I wanted to be the best pianist in the world and she said to me with soooooo much confidence,” Son, you can be anything you set your heart to be.”
87: Were your parents musicians? When did you first figure out you were musically inclined? WS: Yes my father played piano and yes my mother did sing around the house every now and then, but I was the only one crazy enough to make a career out of it and I LOVE IT TOO...LOL!!!! Actually, I knew I was musically inclined for as long as I knew who I was in this life.
87: Who are your top three musical influences? WS: It's very hard to say who my three influences in music are because there are so many people, things and experiences in life to gather inspirations from. If I had to choose three, I would definitely have to say Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Lou Rawls.
87: My folks had an 8-track mix with a Lou Rawls song on it. "Yoooouuul never find....as loooong as you live". I thought that one was a little drippy for my taste. If you were to recomend one Lou Rawls song download to someone, what would it be? WS: It's kinda hard to recommend just one Lou Rawls song to someone, but if I had to, I would say, "You'll never find" LOL!!!!
87: What was the last album/CD/download that you bought? WS: The last CD I bought was from a local artist here in the city. Oh yeah, I bought Barry White’s greatest hits too! Oh baby, baby etc; you know.....
87: What's your best memory or story from your Central days? WS: The great times we had at the football and basketball games and of course...marching band.
87: Did you have a favorite teacher at Central? WS: Yes! Mr. Brack- Choir teacher
87: Do you have a partner or children? WS: I am dating someone now, and I have two handsome sons and one beautiful daughter.
87: How long have you been with your Trio? Who are the other two members and how did you meet them? WS: My band members and I have played with many other bands across the state, but the trio has been together for about 3 years now. My drummer is Darrell Johnson and saxophonist, Gerald Johnson (no relation to each other) We cover most, if not all of the material done with a larger band. I do quite of few shows with just the trio to keep more revenue among the three of us.
87: What's the funniest thing you've seen while playing a gig? WS: The funniest thing I ever saw while on a gig would have to be the time when we were playing an old jazz standard called, "Satin Doll" by legendary Duke Ellington. There was an obvious elderly couple dancing and swinging across the floor. They had to have both been in their late 70's or so and as they were dancing, her husband twirled her around and let her go and right into the drums she flew....LOL!!!!! She knocked over the whole drum set like a bowling ball with lightening speed too...LOL!!! Man that was soooooo hilarious, but no one was injured thank God!
87: Where have you seen the worst dancing ever? WS: I've seen the worst dancing, with all thumbs down, at the Chenal and Pleasant Valley Country Club right here in Little Rock! They say the wealthier you are, the least you know about dancing.
87: So you have a new CD out recently, a Christmas CD, right? How'd you decide to do a Christmas CD and how did you select the songs? WS: Yes I do have a Christmas Cd available for purchase right now. You can order it online at my website: www.StaggersMusic.com. My mother inspired me to produce this Christmas Cd. Every year she would ask me, “William, when are you going to do your own Christmas Cd?" She also told me that my music was just as good as anyone else's and that I should really consider doing one. I recorded this album in October 2000. When the Cd came out, I gave my Mom and Dad the very first copy. Mom listened to that Cd all year around! LOL!!!!! On August 14th 2001, my mother died suddenly, but because I chose not to delay her request, she was able to hear her son's music before she left. I'm a bit choked for words right now, but I'm happy to know, that her request was granted and that I made her very proud of me! The lesson learned here is that we should never take the opportunity to do for others for granted, because we never know if it's the last time we will have to do for that individual.
87: How long does it take from start to finish, for a project like that? WS: As you may already know, some cd projects can be pretty lengthy in producing. It's always best to have your arrangements together prior to visiting the studio, because it can be quite costly too. I was a bit reluctant to share how long it took for me to complete the Christmas Cd, because I felt like if people really knew that I composed all the music in ONE DAY and recorded the vocals on the next day, they would instantly think that it was rushed and couldn't possibly sound right, but you would be surprised to know that my cd is selling like hotcakes.
87: That wouldn't surprise me, I've heard it! Any other projects coming out soon? WS: Yes there is, I've just completed my brand new Jazz cd scheduled to be out the 2nd week of December 2006 and it's really hot too! Now this project took nearly two years to complete. You can also order this one online too at www.StaggersMusic.com or www.cdbaby.com