Gary James' Interview With Santana's Lead Singer
Andy Vargas
Andy Vargas has performed with some of the biggest names in the music world. We're talking Enrique Iglesias, Patti Labelle, Taboo of The Black-Eyed Peas, and Yanni. And he also happens to be the lead singer for Santana. Now, Andy is stepping out on his own, sort of. He's still a part of Santana, but he's releasing his first solo CD. The single, "The Beat" was released on March 29th, 2019, with the full CD to be released in August of 2019. And of course there's an upcoming Santana tour which includes a Hollywood Bowl appearance and a performance at Woodstock for the 50th anniversary of that festival, of which Santana was part of.
Q - Andy, before I talk to you about your solo CD, I'd like to ask about Santana's appearance at the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. I imagine when Carlos Santana hits the stage, a flood of emotions will come over him. But for you, what will it mean to be at this 50th celebration of Woodstock?
A - Well, you know what? It's an honor. It's an honor to play with Carlos, but to actually be a part of history like this brings a lot of gratitude, being able to be with Carlos the time I have, coming up on twenty years myself, to experience a moment of time that, God willing, will also end up in the history books. I feel an emotional rush onstage with Carlos. From the first time I stepped onstage with Carlos and did that first note there's a sensation that comes up. It's like your blood starts boiling and you're like, "Here we go!" It's until the last song when we walk backstage that that sensation calms down a little bit. It's quite a euphoric experience to be honest with you. You kind of get lifted up off your feet a little bit and you start flying and you hope you remember everything you have to remember. You kind of let go a little bit, but at the same time you're flying your ship so to say. It's quite an amazing experience. Thanks for asking.
Q - I don't know how often Santana tours these days, but when you decided to make this solo CD of yours, did you have to work around Santana's touring and recording schedule?
A - Oh, 100%. Yeah. I'm a consistent worker apart from my family time at home. It's what I love to do. I love music. I love being involved in collaborations and music productions. I'm always writing something all the time. So, it's just natural. It's just a natural chain of events for me to always be creative. But now there's the other side of marketing and promotion and publicity. There's a lot of work put in to presenting your music to the public. I'm very happy to be able to do that now. So what that really takes for me Gary is just consistent work. I could be doing that or I could be doing other things. So this is what I choose to be doing.
Q - Did you need Carlos's approval to record this CD? Could he have said, "Andy, I don't think it's a good idea at this time."?
A - Carlos has always approved and been very inspired of my musical creations. He loves energy and so if you're creating energy and you're bringing him energy... I've written many songs with him. I've written many songs for him. If you bring him energy we go out and create this energy ourselves. We are the masters of our own musical journey. We go out and created this journey on our own and the we come back and we share it on the Santana stage. That's a power. That's something we share together. He's told me, "The music is in you and it's gotta come out."
Q - Are you the first guy in the group to release a solo CD?
A - No, I'm not. There have been band members of Carlos's that have had their own solo CDs as well.
Q - So your record company released the single, "The Beat" on March 2019.
A - Yes.
Q - The full-length CD is coming out in August (2019).
A - Correct.
Q - It will be titled what?
A - "Souleros". Souleros is my brand. It's the name of my band and it's also the title I give my musical styles. It's a name I came up with myself that is a blend of R&B, Soul, and the music I loved singing as a child. Soulerus is kind of a word that came from me defining my style of music and then it's kind of evolved from there.
Q - Your plan then is tour behind the CD when Santana's schedule lets up a little bit?
A - That's it. That's the plan.
Q - Can I ask you about your early days?
A - Sure.
Q - I know your father was a musician.
A - Yes.
Q - But your mother knew Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston.
A - Yes.
Q - Your mother was in your father's band?
A - No. My mother, quite amazingly enough, was a banker.
Q - How did she get to meet those two guys? Did they come in the bank?
A - She did meet Terry Melcher through Wells Fargo Bank. Terry lived in Carmel (California) when he was with us. He's passed on now. I grew up in a city called Watsonville, which is pretty close. My mom's regional manager knew Terry and I think they met at a football game in Stanford. She mentioned to Terry that she had a son that sang and wanted to pursue a career and she was just hoping that he would give me some guidance. He ended up meeting with us out in Carmel. A chain of events occurred, but it eventually led to him being my first mentor, my first manager, publisher and even a production deal we had going on together. He brought Bruce Johnston aboard and that's where I met Bruce. I still keep in touch with Bruce. He's an amazing human being and musician himself.
Q - You're fortunate Andy that everything fell into place for you.
A - I know it's a blessing. I had a great experience with Terry Melcher. He gave me my first introduction to the music business. We wrote some beautiful songs. He was an amazing human being. He introduced me to his family. I knew his family well. He also introduced me to his mother, Doris (Day) on numerous occasions. They were just a real blessed family that I was honored to know.
Q - Was Lou Adler the guy who set up the audition for you with Carlos?
A - Yes, he did. Terry continued to live in Carmel. I moved to Los Angeles and that's when I signed to RCA/BMG to an A&R named Ron Fair. I was working with Lou. Lou and Terry were really good friends from back in the day. Lou did make the arrangements for me to audition for Santana.
Q - You've known some very important people in your lifetime.
A - I sure have. It's been quite a journey I'm definitely grateful to have. I share my trials and tribulations with the youth to hope that it can help someone else.
Official Website: AndyVargas.com
YouTube: Andy Vargas And Souleros
Instagram: andy vargas music
© Gary James. All rights reserved.
