Ray Wilson, how are you doing?

FINE THANKS. NICE TO BE IN “ZEELAND” (Part of The Netherlands, red.) TODAY. WE’VE BEEN LUCKY AND HAD GREAT WEATHER. IT”S BEAUTIFUL HERE.

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How it came that a ‘Scottsmen’ like you, living in Poland, Poznan?

I WAS DOING A CHARITY EVENT THERE AND MET A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, WHO STOLE MY HEART. SO I PACKED MY BAGS, LEFT SCOTLAND AND HEADED EAST. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. I’VE BEEN THERE FOR 9 YEARS NOW.

And please tell us something about Poznan this old Polish city? and how is the music scene pop-rock-progressive and hardrock overthere?

POLAND HAS A GREAT MUSIC SCENE THESE DAYS. ALL THE TOP ARTISTS PERFORM IN THE COUNTRY, AND THERE ARE GOOD VENUE’S AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT. THE POLISH HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF STYLE WHEN IT COMES TO CREATIVITY, DESIGN AND PROMOTION, SO IT HAS ACTUALLY HELPED ME CREATIVELY TOO. I HAVE FEW POLISH MUSICIANS IN THE BAND, PLUS GERMAN AND SCOTTISH. THE POLISH GUYS ARE SUPERB, I HAVE TO SAY.

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In 1997 you came to be the new lead singer of the famous band Genesis, because Phill Collins left that band in 1996. How did you get in contact with Genesis and please tell us something about the time  you spend with these great musicians and recording the album: Calling all Stations…?

IN 1994 I HAD A HUGE SUCCESS WITH MY BAND STILTSKIN. WE WERE SIGNED TO THE SAME RECORD LABEL AS GENESIS AND WHEN THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A SINGER, I WAS SENT TO THEM, AS A POSSIBILITY, BY VIRGIN RECORDS. I WAS THEN ASKED TO GO TO THEIR STUDIO AND AUDITION. I SANG SEVERAL OLD GENESIS SONGS AND ALSO DID A BIT OF WRITING WITH THEM AND GOT THE JOB. WE THEN TOURED EUROPE, DID 44 SHOWS AND HAD A GREAT TIME, BOB DYLAN EVEN SUPPORTED US ON 2 SHOWS, WHICH WAS SURREAL. IT WAS GOOD TO WORK WITH MUSICIANS AND TECHNICIANS ON SUCH A HIGH LEVEL. I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE. THEY ALSO HAVE A GREAT CATALOGUE OF SONGS, SO IT WAS FUN TO DO THE SHOWS.

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What happened after the release of: Calling all Stations, please tell us something about this time in your career. I mean  Touring with Genesis, Playing probably stadium shows…etc. And that after some time Genesis…fell somehow apart again…? and you stood with empty hands again..?

I BASICALLY TOOK 2 YEARS OUT AND TOOK SOME TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE BEST WAY FORWARD. I PERFORMED A CONCERT WITH THE SCORPIONS AND THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN HANNOVER AND DID NOTHING ELSE FOR 2 YEARS. A FRIEND OF MINE WAS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE ME TO PERFORM AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL AND AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT, I DECIDED TO DO THIS AND THAT WAS THE START OF MY SOLO CAREER. I PERFORMED 10 SHOWS, ACOUSTIC, AND IT WAS A GOOD SUCCESS FOR ME. I THEN TOOK THE SAME SHOW INTO GERMANY, ITALY AND SO ON, AND GRADUALLY STARTED TO BUILD MY OWN SOLO CAREER. MY MAIN GOAL WAS TO TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY AND KEEP CONTROL OF MY CAREER. NOW, 17 YEARS LATER, I HAVE A 9 PIECE BAND AND I TOUR 120 SHOWS A YEAR, ALL WITH MY OWN TEAM, TRANSPORT, SOUND EQUIPMENT AND SO ON. I BECAME A CONTROL FREAK, BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION.

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How strange it was that some years later you found/or came across the biggest DJ/Trance Producer; Armin van Buren and did some vocals for his songs…?

WELL IT WAS SOMETHING I HAD NEVER CONSIDERED BEFORE. ARMIN HAD A LOT OF AMBITION WHEN I MET HIM. HE WAS VERY TALENTED, ORGANISED AND HAD A CLEAR VISION OF WHAT HE WANTED. IT WAS GOOD TO WORK WITH HIM. MAYBE NOT ROCK N ROLL, BUT GOOD FUN. IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO TRY NEW THINGS AS AN ARTIST. ARMIN REMIXED 2 OF MY SONGS IN THE END. ANOTHER DAY AND GYPSY. HE DID A GREAT JOB.

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At the moment you tour through The Netherlands, please tell us about it, and how things are going with the tour til, now..?

WE HAVE PERFORMED 3 SHOWS SO FAR AND HAVE 4 TO GO. IT’S BEEN VERY GOOD SO FAR. PEOPLE SEEM TO ENJOY THE SHOW, WHICH IS WHAT MATTERS MOST. I SEE THIS AS A GREAT START TO BUILDING MY CAREER MORE, IN HOLLAND. SO IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE. PEOPLE HERE ARE STARTING TO DISCOVER ME AS AN ARTIST. THAT’S WHAT I WANTED.

What are the future plans? Solo, or again busy with your band Stiltskin or maybe some other project what will come/cross your way…?

NOT SO SURE. I RELEASED 2 ALBUMS LAST YEAR, 1 ACOUSTIC AND 1 WITH THE BAND, SO I DON’T INTEND TO DO A NEW ALBUM FOR A WHILE. I WILL HAVE A BEST OF LIVE CD COMING THIS YEAR AND A BEST OF STUDIO CD NEXT YEAR. I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW IDEAS, SO ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

What are some of your own favorite bands or artists?

BOWIE, SPRINGSTEEN, DYLAN, PINK FLOYD, PETER GABRIEL, LIVE, RADIOHEAD. I AM ALSO A BIG FAN OF SINGER/SONGWRITERS, LIKE RAY LAMONTAGNE, BRYAN ADAMS.

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Any dream or something you really would like to see happen in your career yet..?

NO. I LIVED MY DREAMS ALREADY. I AM PEACEFUL WITH WHERE I AM AND WHO I AM. JUST WANT TO DO MORE OF THE SAME AND STAY PEACEFUL. WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

Do you have any last word to the readers of Bonavox.nl

SEE YOU AT A GIG SOMEWHERE AND THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW. CARPE DIEM!!