The Nathan Ward Band’s first album, Yesterday Meets Today, was released this past July. The band will also perform at the honors Beatles Night on Dec. 11. As the accomplishments of this band increases, it may be a band to watch in the near future. I took the opportunity to sit with Nathan Ward himself, and discuss his entire experience. Wes Davis also stopped in for a brief discussion of the Beatles Night.
Charger Bulletin: In a previous interview, you said that you met Randy, your guitarist, when he emailed you. How did you meet the rest of the band?
Nathan Ward: Paul emailed me, the drummer. Ken is a friend of Paul.
CB: How long have you been playing the guitar, and when did you decide to start the band?
NW: I have been playing since I was four, so 20 years. I had my first band in 2009… I spent two years trying to get this band together.
CB: Which song that you have recorded is your favorite?
NW: That’s like asking a parent what kid is your favorite. The one they are playing on WNHU is “Lady Madonna.”
CB: If you had the chance to meet one of your idols, either Elvis or Paul McCartney, who would you choose?
NW: It’s two totally different things. I would have to say Paul McCartney because Elvis is dead.
CB: If they both were alive?
NW: Still Paul McCartney.
*At this point, Wes Davis enters and the questions are directed towards him.*
CB: Describe the Beatles course briefly.
Wes Davis: I teach a class in popular lyrics. Gui Mager teaches music theory and history of rock…We didn’t know how it would work out, but we are talking about the same song. He will talk about chords, and I will talk about lyrics. It is fifty/fifty composition.
CB: What kind of Beatles memorabilia will be at the event?
WD: The thing that is the rarest is the butcher cover. That lasted about two weeks and then it was recalled. We are going to show… photos of the first US Beatles concert.
CB: What is the order of the night?
WD: You walk into Dodds and see the display…Then you go in the theater, I introduce the band, and the curtain comes up. After [The Nathan Ward Band plays], I introduce the movie.
CB: Nathan, how many songs will you be playing?
NW: He said five, but I’m lobbying for seven.
WD: How about this? I will make a deal with you. You do your five and if there is a thunderous ovation, you do an encore.
*The guys continue to try to reach a compromise, until Wes Davis excuses himself. If you want more of the Nathan Ward Band at Beatles Night, perhaps you should try the thunderous ovation!*
CB: “Lady Madonna” is extremely catchy, and you hold out the end notes a bit longer than in the original. Do you have any formal voice training?
NW: I actually copy how Paul does it live now. I don’t, no.
CB: In the slight changes that you do make in your versions of the songs, are the changes an easy decision to make or a long process?
NW: It’s not a long process. We rarely try to change it. Usually it would be just adding harmony to the vocals.
CB: In the future, what song do you want to perform?
NW: The one I really want to do right now is “A World Without Love” written by McCartney and Lenon and performed by Peter and Gordon.
CB: Are rehearsals a long. hard process?
NW: Not really. Everyone is a good musician, harmonist, and vocalist. We email it out, practice it during the week, and come to rehearsals. We have no problem with the music. We have problems with putting the harmonics together.
CB: Where do you want to be in the near future?
NW: We are just going to continue to play… maybe a new record. You never know.
For more on the Nathan Ward Band, come to Beatles Night or check out www.nathanwardband.com, www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nathan-Ward-Band/121457577958897, or email [email protected]
