Whether it was on Shalamar's Top 20 smash hit "Dancing in the Sheets" from the Footloose soundtrack, the Grammy award winning song from Beverly Hills Cop, or when he played with Crown of Thorns, Micki Free has undoubtedly made his way into your music play list at one time or another. This Native American guitarist and singer has made quite a name for himself over the years, and there is just no stopping him. He's released 11 albums, won two Native American Music Awards and continues to tour doing what he loves.

Free, a "mixed-blood" (Irish, Comanche and Cherokee) was born in West Texas, but spent most of his younger years in Europe. When his stepfather, an Army sergeant, was stationed in Germany, Free attended his first rock concert when one of his older sisters received tickets to a Jimi Hendrix concert and took him along. He knew then what he would do for the rest of his life. Playing guitar quickly became his passion.

Later, when his family moved back to the states, he joined a rock band called Smokehouse. At a Kiss concert where Smokehouse was the opening act, Free was discovered by Gene Simmons. Free joined Shalamar in 1984 at Simmon's urging, and shortly afterwards the band hit the charts with "Dancing in the Sheets."  They were nominated three times and went on to win a Grammy for "Don't Get Stopped In Beverly Hills" from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack in 1985.

After Shalamar, Free and Jean Beauvoir (of The Plasmatics) founded an AOR band called Crown of Thorns and recorded two albums. Free left that group, spreading his wings to become a solo artist, which proved very successful. "Gypsy Cowboy" was nominated for seven Native American Awards (Nammys) which named him “Best Male Artist of the Year” in 2002.

I caught up with Free after a recent St. Louis concert with Pat Travers for the Wounded Warrior Project. Veterans, music and horses are just a few of his passions, and Free's quick wit made this interview, the first in the new "Tribal Scream" column for Hip Rock Magazine, a great cherry popper.

 

 

THE INTERVIEW
 
Lynny/HRM: Please introduce yourself and tell me how important long hair is to you.

 

Micki Free: I'm Micki Free, of course, and long hair is power to certain Native American Nations...it is mine.

 

 Lynny/HRM: Now that I took you off guard with the first question, do you have a favorite show you played with Shalamar?

 

Micki Free: In London the very first time I was in the band at the Hammersmith Oden. It was an amazing show and set the stage for my newly found rock stardom that I would live for the next two decades. Lovely!

Lynny/HRM: Do you still hang out?

Micki Free: I go out to certain clubs if the urges arises, the need for GOOD live music never dies!

Lynny/HRM: You've been in the business for many years. If readers were only going to check out one song to decide if you continued to rock nowadays, which would you suggest they listen to? And what item would you beat them over the head with for making you choose just one?

Micki Free: "Wounded Knee" of my American Horse CD.. I never force anything on my fans. It must be a mutual acception of love and music.

Lynny/HRM: Since you’ve been in the game for a while, when it comes to getting publicity and promotion, what are some things you miss from back in the day that are no longer possible today? 

 

Micki Free: Getting publicity these days is easier than the old days. The internet makes anyone famous for that 15 second period. The Labels set it all up for you back in the day.

Lynny/HRM: I know you just played a show in St. Louis with Pat Travers for the Wounded Warrior Project. Can you tell us a bit about that? Also, what is Pat like to play with?

 

Micki Free: Killer show and aiding vets is a passion of mine as my brother in law is a vet. Pat sounded amazing as I remembered him when I was just coming up. Nice guy and we are friends now as well.

 

Lynny/HRM: Do you write collectively with anyone or are you a sole songwriter?

 

Micki Free: I write most of my songs solo, but love to write with other writers that are on the same page as I am; with emotion, vision and a good sense of melody.

 

Lynny/HRM: Do you have any funny stories you can share about Grammy night?

 

Micki Free: When I won I stuttered when it was time for me to make my speach! I was shocked and a bit shy for the first time in my life I think!

 

Lynny/HRM: Were Ramen noodles ever a staple in your career?

Micki Free: Oh yea!!! When I first moved to LA as a struggling musician that's what we all ate and were glad to have them!

Lynny/HRM: You are involved with the fight against horse slaughter with Thundering Hooves. Can you tell readers about your involvement and why you feel so passionate about this cause? 

 

Micki Free: Simple; as a Native American we believe the horse is our brother, we respect our brother but lets be clear; if my family was starving and needed food my brother would be our nourishment and would join our spirit as one to survive. Slaughtering horses for delicacy is savage and uncivilized.
 

Lynny/HRM: When Micki Free puts his feet up after a long day, how does he unwind?

 

Micki Free: In a perfect world; fly fishing, horse back riding, video games with my son and a good Cuban cigar.
 

Lynny/HRM: Besides the aforementioned projects, what else are you up to these days? 

 

Micki Free: In 2014 a project with Carlos Santana, Micki Free's Roadhouse, new music project with the drummer from Boston Curly Smith called "Three Star", Radio Host project with a certain Indian Casino and more.....stay tuned.
 

Lynny/HRM: You've worked with a lot of phenomenal women musicians; who is your all time favorite Woman of Rock?

 

Micki Free: That's a good question! Cindy Blackman-Santana is the top, but Louise Goffin was a super talent.

 

Lynny/HRM: Is there anything else you would like to add?
 

Micki Free: Stay Free and keep rocking! Live Music will never die!

 

 

Lynny Prince – Hip Rock Magazine

www.lynnyprince.com