pgosselin: For you, which comes first: the melody or the lyrics? I once saw an interview with Barry Gibb (not that I'm comparing you to him) and he said the way he worked was by coming up with a melody first. Once he had the melody, it became written in stone. He would not alter it to fit the lyrics. Rather he would alter the lyrics fit it. I'm curious as to how you work.
    Paul

Jude: It's always different.  Usually the title comes first, or a chorus melody.

ricochet1: Of all the questions that I could ask jude...
Here's the one that I have chosen.
I know it was the 70's and all, but Jude, what were you thinking by wearing a powder blue tuxedo to the prom?
Sorry...I just couldn't resist the urge to be silly.
    Rick

Jude: It was probably the one on sale.

Opie: I’ve been a huge Jude Cole fan ever since I heard “Tell The Truth?for the first time. That song had a lot of meaning for me back then and it still does. Upon hearing the song, I had to go out and buy STC. After I heard the album, I just had to get A View from 3rd Street as well and all of Jude’s albums since. Unfortunately, I never been able to get my hands on Jude’s first album. In fact, I have never even heard it. I envy all of you that have. Which, by the way, leads me to the question I have for Jude...

Don’t you get frustrated when your albums go out of print? Do you have any way of controlling this process? God, I’m scared that one day I may lose my Jude Cole collection and never be able to replace it. Jude, is there anything your loyal fans can do? Also, will you tour in Northern Virginia when your new album comes out?

Jude: I don't think about the passing of my solo career much.  As I've said many times, it was a one hand clapping affair.. and all that I managed to really benefit from it were some precious die hard fans, and an ability to write songs that I love without too much concern about acceptance.  This was a major victory for me.  I'll write until I I'm not inspired anymore.. who will buy my records or even decide to put them in the stores, I have absolutely no control over.

Grog: I don't really have any questions other than why Ft Collins? I lived in Boulder for 6 years and we always looked down our noses at CSU, i.e., all dirt roads lead to the fort  but then might *might* explain all the c&w connections I've been hearin' bout. Fort collins was where my sister migrated to way back, and eventually my whole family ended up there.  I tried it.  I'm back in california for life now.
But in the interest of asking questions, here are some pulled right out of the headlines but that have been modified to fit the audience:

1) What's the dumbest question you've been asked?

Jude: A swedish man wanted to know what kind of car I was starting in the song start the car.  I thought that was pretty silly.

2) How long have you been a white guitar player?

Jude: Swedish man now holds the second silliest question.

3) Why were you born in Illinois?

Jude: I have asked myself this question for 22 years.

4) What are those picky things you use when playing the guitar?

Jude: Uh, fingers?

5) Is Kiefer really a vampire?

Jude: No, it is a yogurt of sorts.
 

Jude: I answered this before.  Follow along.

Jude: okay,  mason was nothing but a stream of consciousness thought that i wrote, and then later couldn't figure out what i was saying, and then later than that, didn't care. i just liked it. like james taylor's line "the words are nice, the way they sound'. i just wrote it, then went with it. sometimes these are the most fun. hope i didn't disappoint anyone.
See.

Lesley2k: I have a question! Who carries your luggage??

Les

Jude: Groupies, who else??  Duh.

honorway: Who's the greatest musician you've worked with, either on stage or in the studio? And...have you ever been to Norway or Europe?
Henrik

Jude: The best musician I ever worked with.. that's tough.  Jeff porcaro was amazing.  Lee skaar too.  Jim kelter, john robinson, jon brion, john corey.. there are too many to name.  I think I'll say the ninja turtles.  Yes I've been to europe many times.  I've also visited sweden, finland and denmark on occasion.  I went to abba studios in stockholm, and they played me their new track at the time 'super trouper'.  It was amazing.  Where's norway again?

kskissers: How can we get you to come to our city and how much allowance will I have to save up to make that happen.....lol Actually I am 35 and work as a morning host for a local radio show...the question IS valid and we would be very interested in getting you down here.

Jude: I'm cheap.  Just a burger and shake, and I'm all yours.

Michi: I would like to know what Jude thinks about people paying large sums of cash for his first CD. Seems like he's kinda getting ripped off, doesn't it?

Jude: I'm getting ripped off?

girlgerms: Hmm...I'd ask him to marry me...okay maybe not. But I'd think it. Yeah! *grins* But I guess...I guess I'd like to know who Jude would most like to perform with...and what he's got in his cd player at the moment?

Jude: I would like to do a song with dan fogelberg, cuz he was a huge influence in high school.  I hear he's a pain in the ass though, and every other rock star I idolized and then met, left me so disappointed I vowed to never go backstage to a concert again.

myers201: Are you looking for guitarist/vocalist/songwriter for your band on upcoming tour, who of course just happens to know all your material? Are you interested in demos for the Watertown project?  Hey, you can't blame a guy for trying!!!

Jude: Yes, definitely.  Send them to my address: 1600 pennsylvania ave.  washington dc.

Ethanbomb: What plans do you have for Watertown Productions?

Jude: To conquer the world.

Ethanbomb: Are you going to sign other artists to the label?

Jude: Yes, definitely.

Ethanbomb: Now that you know all the loose ends involved in making your own CD, do you plan on releasing more solo CD's?

Jude: yes, definitely, and I promise it won't take so long ever again.

Ethanbomb: Since you enjoyed making a country album with Clay Davidson, have you ever considered making your own country CD?

Jude: I don't see this happening.

Ethanbomb: You have talked about developing a young 13 year old singer from pennsylvania named Lindsay. And have said "when the time is right, i'd love for you all to hear this amazing talent."
Can you tell us more about this girl and her musical style. Are we looking at the next Britney Spears?

Jude: No, she is a real singer.  She has just recently been signed to warner bros records, and I will produce and write her album.  She is awesome.

Ethanbomb: When you begin a recording project, do you set goals as to what you want to accomplish?

Jude: I have learned to set goals on everything I do.  I just need to set TIME goals from now on, and stick to them.  Thank you all for hanging in there with me.

Thanx to all those individuals who submitted questions for Jude to answer. And a special thank you to Jude for taking the time to answer these questions. I hope you all found this to be entertaining! Please leave any comments you have on my guestbook page. See you at the Yahoo board!

Tim Cochrane