Island 94.3 - Long Island, NY

October 20, 2004

Jo Jo: Ladies and gentlemen, he's the former lead singer of Creed, Scott Stapp welcome to the Island 94.3 studio

Scott: Good to be here

Applause

Jo Jo: Yeah, definitely, he deserves applause. So, Scott, first of all welcome to the Island 94.3 most music morning show

Scott: It is awesome to be here, thanks for having me.

Jo Jo: So, now, you must be doing this like all over the country. Are you bored yet and tired of touring and going around to the stations?

Scott: Um, boredom is not, is not the right word for it, but a...you know, you get tired by the end of the day, but you know I meet a lot of cool people and a...it's mostly like you know, a lot of laughter and fun and it's been a good time, I mean but you know honestly, yeah, you do get tired by the end of the day

Jo Jo: What do you miss the most about having to go out and promote yourself now...

Scott: What do I...

Jo Jo: What do you miss the most that you can't do in your normal life

Scott: Ahhh...spend time with my son, that's about the only thing that I miss

Jo Jo: Now does he go out with you ever or is (inaudible)

Scott: He was on the tour...he's always been out with me, all the way up until...this will be the first time... 'cause he's in kindergarten, so...

Jo Jo: That's what I figured, yeah I knew he had gotten a little older

Scott: Yeah

Jo Jo: Now of course you even wrote some songs about him...

Scott: Yeah

Jo Jo: ...when you were with Creed, With Arms Wide Open...

Scott: Yeah

Jo Jo: ...obviously the lyrics kinda...

Scott: Yeah I wrote that one and a...I've written a lot...a few songs that were inspired by having him and you know things that make up a child. He's been quite an inspiration.

Jo Jo: Alright, now let's get this out of the way, I know all the listeners out there, ourselves here, you know, at the radio station we hear rumors about what happened with Creed, why is there no longer Creed, set the record straight, live on the air right now. What happened?

Scott: I just...I wouldn't marry Mark [laughter] and I'm not gay. I, you know, I mean, I just I told him, you know I'm a heterosexual Mark and I just" [laughter] No, that's not it at all [in different voice] just kidding. Um, it was just a creative kinda thing, you know Mark was growing as an artist and songwriter and I think he wanted to do his own thing and write his own songs and sing and front his own band. The only reason he's not singing in Alter Bridge is 'cause I think the record company ...a.. when they heard the demos for some reason or another I don't know said hey man, just stick to...you wrote all the songs, just stick to playing your guitar and we'll bring some else in who can sing them for you" and I had already moved on to doing my own thing plus, you know at that point it would have been like me singing in a cover band, you know, so you know and I like to write my own music as well and so...you know it was just the right time...we grew apart

Jo Jo: Awesome, well obviously you guys had a lot of success..so congratulations on that...

Scott: Very much so. It was awesome while it lasted, you know.

Jo Jo: So now what are you working on? Of course you've got the single project, you were lucky enough to get on one of the biggest movies that came out over the summer The Passion of the Christ with Relearn Love.

Scott: Yeah, yeah. They called me up and flew me out to see the film with Mel Gibson and got to meet him and you know basically they said go you son and write me a song for this" you know [laughs]...and so I was already working on a little something and you know wrote a version, called Relearn Love, that's on that soundtrack and really, the version that you guys are playing is gonna be on my solo album, which is out next year, I'm hoping by February, but no later then early March.

Jo Jo: Do you have a title yet for the album?

Scott: Ahh..I'm trying to think...ahh...

Jo Jo: [laughs] Do you know of all the questions I asked I figured that one wouldn't stump you.

Scott: I'm Better Then Mark...no...just kidding [laughs] I'm goofy today.

Jo Jo: That's alright

Scott: I'm goofy this early in the morning

Jo Jo: We love goofiness...so that's okay

Scott: Um, but no I don't have, I don't have name yet and usually what I like to do is, when all the songs are written, kinda like I did with my prior records, I find a song that kinda fits the central theme of the entire record, kinda what ties it all together and so...

Jo Jo: That's where you get it from?

Scott: ...and right now I just really haven't stepped back and looked at everything and actually finalized on the exact songs that are gonna be on there

Jo Jo: Okay, now I assume, you've got a guy here with a guitar, you look ready to sing. Are you gonna do Relearn Love for us? Is that the song you're gonna perform this morning?

Scott: No, we're actually gonna do Higher off of Human Clay. Creed's Greatest Hits is coming out in a...in a...November 18th..

Jo Jo: Okay

Scott: ...some time in the second week of November.. don't hold me on the date but um, and then we're hoping that you'd spin Relearn Love, so...

Jo Jo: Absolutely, I think we can arrange that

Scott: ...(inaudible)...for the first time and...

Jo Jo: The boss man is nodding in the corner, that means it's okay

Scott: ...awesome, awesome

Jo Jo: Alright, so why don't we, we'll take a break, we'll come back, you can perform live on the air here and then we'll play you song for ya, the new song Relearn Love

Scott: Awesome man

Jo Jo: Alright, it's Jo Jo live. Scott Stapp, formerly of Creed and of course now working on his own solo project, which again he reminds us he doesn't know the name of it but he knows it will be out by March at least, right?

Scott: Yes.

Station cuts interview and goes into acoustic Higher

Applause

Jo Jo: Nice

Scott: Thank you

Jo Jo: Incredible job. Again, that's Scott Stapp performing live, I'm speechless man, great job...

Scott: Thank you, thank you

Jo Jo: ...you did that..and so early in the morning. How do you get yourself prepared for that?

Scott: You know I guess it's the hot tea and the coke. Coca Cola

Jo Jo: Of course. So are you gonna be going around promoting the album? I know you're all over radio and television of course too

Scott: Yeah, right now I'm just going around reconnecting with my fans and radio and lettin' them know the album will be out in March and you know let'em kinda hear a tidbit of you know Relearn Love and let'em know they can get a sneak peak of that on The Passion of the Christ but the one that, you know that you spun today, or are going to spin today a, is a gonna be on my solo album and there's a lot more to come

Jo Jo: I know you're a big Yankee fan. You've gotta be disappointed about last night's loss

Scott: Yeah, I a... you know, I'm just glad to get the series back to New York and wrap it up there

Jo Jo: Alright we'll see what happens. Scott thank you so much for taking time out to spend with us this morning. Good luck with the solo album. Whenever you decided to come up with a name of it, give us a call let us know (inaudible) Scott: I will definitely do that. In fact I'll probably come back and say hi

Jo Jo: Sounds like a plan

Scott: Thank you

Jo Jo: Again, Relearn to Love, people who want to obviously purchase that they would buy the soundtrack...

Scott: Buy The Passion of the Christ and a.... but the version that, you know you might hear on the radio, you have to wait until my solo album's out in March

Jo Jo: Ahh..teasing the people a little bit...

Scott: Yeah, a little tease

Jo Jo: Alright, awesome again. Thank you Scott

Scott: Hey, no problem

Jo Jo: Alright, now Scott before you get outta here why don't you do us a favor (starts Relearn Love) practice your radio DJ work, intro your new song for us

Scott: What's up...this is Scott Stapp and this is my new single Relearn Love on the New Island 94.3

Jo Jo: Well at least you know if the solo career doesn't work out, you got something to fall back on...thanks man

Scott: Take it easy

.Transcribed by Robyn