In a career that is into its sixth decade, Mickey Thomas – he of the platinum pipes that once dominated FM Rock stations during stints with Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Starship, and finally Starship – has no interest in slowing down, whether it’s in the studio or in front of worldwide audiences of thousands. He has just released a new album of holiday music, A Classic Christmas, and was getting ready to hit the skies for a tour of Germany with Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas at the time of a phone interview from his Palm Springs-area home.
Thomas’ new album does indeed include his versions of such Christmas classics as “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Silver Bells“ and “White Christmas,” and was recorded in Nashville with producer Dan Frizsell (Kid Rock, Craig Morgan). The album features the work of some of Music City’s top session players, including drummer Evan Hutchings (Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan), bassist Mark Hill (Kelly Clarkson, Eric Church), guitarist John Willis (Big & Rich, Jason Aldean), and keyboardists David Dorn (Brian Kelley, Josh Turner) and Charlie Judge (Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen). Thomas talked about the production and how amazed he was by the talent in Nashville.
“I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas record, but for some reason the timing never seemed to work out,” he said. “But this year the timing was right and it all came together the way I wanted it to. We did a couple tracks last October a year ago, and then we finished the album this past May. I did the vocals live (singing with the musicians), I wanted it to have that kind of feeling. Because back in the day, in the ‘50s and ‘60s, they (e.g., Sinatra, Crosby) would just walk into the studio with the orchestra and sing. That’s what I wanted to capture, that whole atmosphere.”
Thomas said the musicians on the album lived up to the city’s reputation for the best pickers. “I can play a few chords, but nothing like these guys play! It’s Christmas songs, it’s not easy, some real intricate voicings, not chords you play every day. It was just amazing, how fast they picked up arrangements, and if I needed to change the key they could instantly do it. It was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Thomas has only good things to say about the time he’s spent in Nashville during his career. “I love Nashville,” he said. “We did three or four separate trips over the last year, and I spent a little time in the country scene in Nashville in the ‘90s, working on some demos. That never quite panned out, but I did enjoy my time there, and over the years have been there many times.”
Now 75, Thomas is one of the few rock era singers who can still hit the high notes, and he chalks it up to simply taking care of oneself physical and mentally. “My wife is a good influence on me as far as diet and lifestyle,” he said. “We eat real healthy and I try to get to the gym, but it’s not always easy with travel. A lot of it is mindset, just kind of the way you think about yourself. I see a lot of people who get old before their time because they just become stagnant. People sometimes ask me when I’m going to retire, and I say, Why would I want to do that? I love it, I’m still physically able to do it, I enjoy doing it. My voice is still good to me, I have my health, I’ve got my attitude, and I just want to do it as long as I possibly can.”
You can keep up with Thomas and his global adventures at starshipcontrol.com.
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