The second he heard the first Doors album in 1967, George Winston knew he had to play the organ. His choice to play the organ evolved into a desire to play piano, the instrument which would form the backbone of his musical career. Since 1972, Winston has produced over nine albums, founded his own production company, and picked up the slack-key guitar and harmonica in addition to piano and organ. In anticipation of his performance this coming Sunday, the Rose Thorn managed to contact Mr. Winston to ask him a few questions about his music.
Rose Thorn: What do you like most about the piano?
George Winston: I like that it’s a one-man band, very powerful and percussive. I like it like I would a string section, but better. I like the overtones for the folk piano and the power that it has for rhythm and blues.
RT: Did you always want to be a musician?
GW: I didn’t really know [I wanted to be a musician] until 2006. It was when all the pieces of the puzzle finally came together. It took until I was 58. I always knew it would take that long. Until then, I had to keep messing with it, and keep moving ahead. What’s important is to know what you’re not, as well as what you are.
RT: What is your most memorable musical experience?
GW: There are so many—I could say hearing the Doors, hearing Professor Longhair for the first time, hearing Fats Wallace for the first time, James Butler for the first time. These things made me say I’m studying that, that’s the way to play the piano. I’ve never had any bad musical experience—I’ve only played what I really wanted to. Every musical experience I’ve had is great.
RT: Do you think that starting piano/organ in earnest later in life has shaped your style as a musician?
GW: Yeah—because I have to work on it all the time. It never did come naturally. All the influences I had were ones that I directly picked. Nobody said “this is good music” or “this is not good music”—I just did it all myself.
RT: What made you decide to play North-American style music as opposed to European Classical?
GW: It’s probably because it’s what I grew up with. It’s just who I am. I think it’s that I grew up with it, and also that I liked it. I think it just fits. The European sensibility is another sensibility: Americans took a percussive approach rather than an orchestral.
On Sunday, Mr. Winston will be playing his winter show, which includes music associated with the seasons of autumn and winter. Also, part of the proceeds from the recording sales Sunday will go to benefit the Catholic Charities of Terre Haute. Audience members are encouraged to bring a canned food item for donation to the food bank run by the same charity. There will be collection bins outside the entrance.