Interview - Preacher Stone (PS) - Maid of Stone (MoS) 2024:

Brief Background:


2008 formation, from Charlotte (NC)
Sons of Anarchy Seasons 3 & 5 (‘Not Today’ used in both series, from 1st Album Preacher Stone in 2009)
I saw PS at Leos Red Lion in Northfleet, Kent, last year (with Marty Hill), on tour with Sons of Liberty in support / dual-headliner as was known

Band Names:


Marty Hill (Lead) - Founder / RIP
Ronnie Riddle (Lead vox) - Co-Founder
Jim Bolt (Bass) - Co-Founder
Ben Robinson (Lead)
Wyatt (Drums)
Nick Nguyen on guitar / new member, but known for ages and part of the PS family

Discography:


Preacher Stone (2009)
Uncle Buck’s Vittles (2010)
Paydirt (2014)
Remedy (2016)
Preacher Stone V (2024)


Actual Interview - Questions / Responses:


Oz = Martin Osborne
PS = Preacher Stone


Introductions via O’Neill PR

Oz - Hi, thanks for sparing the time for this interview with the Wrinkly Rockers Club…… and that was a great set and show just then:

PS (All) - Well thank you for sparing your time and allowing us this interview too, and thank you for that.

PS (All) & Oz - Introductions


Oz - Firstly so sorry for the loss of Marty (Hill), and how have you managed to carry on without him?

PS (All) - Thank-you for that.

PS (Ronnie) - Well, we've been through a lot of different things, and then all of a sudden, that thought hits you. You look around, and you know, the guy that's been there forever is not there. But, I mean, we've been really blessed. I mean, Nick was a member of the family before he came in, and it just fits right in. And with Marty, there was never any question that we were going to stop…there was never a moment somebody asked one time was there, a moment where you thought you just wouldn't go on, absolutely not. Marty and I discussed that and you know with each and every one of us when he was diagnosed, that we just got to keep this going, so here we are.

Oz - Thank you for that, I think everyone really appreciates it.


Oz - It’s apparent that there’s less US bands coming over to the UK, what makes you come here?

PS (Ronnie / All) - Because we want to and we can. We really enjoy coming over here and spreading our message. It’s great to play the Festivals and other shows. We all really enjoy it. You’ve gotta make the effort, and come over. We really love the UK crowds and the interest they show. There was a pretty good attendance out there today, so we hope we’re doing the right thing.


Oz - What makes PS what they are in terms of the ‘Southern Rock’ attitude?

PS (Ronnie / All) - It’s a way of life, you are what you are and what it is. You can’t fake it. We are a Southern Rock band, but that’s also because we sound that way. We love all the other great rock music too. But you can’t fake being Southern Rock. It’s about the attitude.


Oz - What is your (PS) primary inspiration in terms of the UK Bands (you mention that a lot in your sets)?

PS (Jim) - Iron Maiden

Oz - Really, that surprises me

PS (Jim) - Steve Harris…..have you heard him play bass!

Oz - Yes, that’s a fair comment!

PS (Ronnie / Ben / Wyatt / Jim / Nick) - Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, LED ZEPPELIN!, The Beatles, and all the other classic / greats


Oz - What are your touring plans next guys?

PS (Ronnie/Jim/Wyatt) - We’ve finished in the UK now and were back to the US, doing more dates over there, then we’ll be coming back (planned) to the UK in the Fall of 2025, perhaps with some festivals. Plans are still to be fully finalised though.

Oz - That’ll be great, we’ll all be really looking forward to that!


Oz / PS: Thank-you very much / ditto from all the PS guys


Martin Osborne (Oz)

Interview with Preacher Stone backstage (Inferno) at MoS in the afternoon shortly after their opening Set on the Inferno Stage at MoS on Sunday 21.07.24
Interview lasted approx 7 to 8 minutes in total, allowing for everything to settle down and for some ‘back-stage’ interruptions too, and a degree of ‘fun & frolics’ as well!
Note that Interview was recorded via an iPhone, but the Audio worked for the first part of the interview, and bombed out mid-way (hence question 4 & 5 are from memory)

Transcribed on 22.07.24