Daryl L. Simmons: One Final Bow
Let’s hop right into this lead holiday single, “Your Drummer Boy,” performed by your son, Ralphie Laur — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
“(Your) Drummer Boy“ came about…as I was working on the track, my son walked in my home studio and started “spittin’” these dope verses! I quickly grabbed my phone, and started recording him. I sent him what he had done, and told him to write two verses from his ideas. And we both came up with the chorus, and sang it together. So proud to have written a song with my son.
Of course “Your Drummer Boy” comes courtesy of your brand new seasonal collection, Christmas With You — What all do you want to share about said body of work?
This album, Christmas With You, is my final body of work as I wind down my career. I’ve always loved Christmas music, and I’ve never written and produced a complete album on my own, so I thought it would be a fitting end to my career. 10 original songs, no covers.
And besides the obvious, how then does this new material(s) either differ and / or compare to previous Daryl Simmons entries?
Nothing new here. This material is just an extension of my R&B roots. Sweet melodies and strong lyrical content. It’s what Kenny and I have done for about 50 years!!! LOL. Well, tried to do in our writing together over the years.
Christmas With You is a Silent Partner Productions release — What are your future plans and / or goals for / with this venture?
I did this album for myself, but decided to share it with the world. Not for sales, not to “blow up,” simply for the music…no other plans for it.
As a prolific songwriter responsible for so very many multi-platinum hits, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from many places, usually for me it’s something someone may say or be going through. Or, through my own life experiences. Music moves me and usually dictates what to write. I start at the piano, and from there I build on a simple idea. Hopefully a good one!!!
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Mr. Daryl Simmons?
I started playing drums at 9, 10 years old. My parents would play records all the time, and I feel my musical ear was developing at a young age. I paid attention to lyrics mostly, and then credits. I was curious how the song got to the artist, then to the actual record. It was the process that intrigued me. Then one day I met a kid named Kenny Edmonds, and I tell you that kid had a profound effect on me. He changed my musical thoughts forever! We both had a love for writing, but he was way, way more talented than I was. I learned everything I know today from him. Being a co-pilot with him was invaluable. Can’t thank him enough for just allowing me to be in the room.
Now you’re a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, correct? So growing up in ‘The Hoosier State,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
So my musical influences growing up in Indy was Kenny, of course, and a guy name Reggie Griffin. He was a musician’s musician!!! Playing sax, guitar and keyboards. Being in a band with him, I was privileged to watch him write and record on a daily basis. He was light years ahead of Kenny and I with writing and recording, and we both benefited from being around him at a very young age. He went on to have a successful career up in New York, working with The Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. His biggest credit today was he co-produced a song called “I Feel For You,” by Chaka Khan, playing and arranging all the instruments on that song…if you’re familiar with it? He had a Grammy nomination behind it.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
My style? I get asked this all the time. I don’t have a style. My style or sound comes from the school of Babyface.
What particular string of events actually led to you initially linking up with both L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds?
Well, Kenny and I grew up together since age 15, and played in bands together, so we’ve been together for a long time. L.A. Reid came along in the early ‘80’s with a band called The Deele that used to perform in clubs in Indianapolis where we lived. So that’s how we eventually met him. We all moved to L.A. in 1983, ‘84 and started pursuing the writing / producing thing. And the rest, as they say, is history! Lol.
Y’all then went on to work with some of the best in the biz; Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Tevin Campbell, TLC, Johnny Gill and the late, great Miss Whitney Houston, to name some — What are some of your fondest memories and / or cherished experiences during this particular time in both your life and career?
Man, there are too many memories and cherished experiences to list here! But I would say, a few of my highlights were meeting and working with Aretha Franklin and becoming friends, meeting and working with Elton John, and becoming friends. I never dreamed that I would ever be in the same room with these amazing people, as I admired them from being a kid. Working with Michael Jackson wasn’t that bad either! Lol.
Also, do you have any favorite artist(s) to work with and / or even a specific studio session that maybe stands out amongst the rest?
Actually, my favorite artist to record is Toni Braxton. I just love the way her voice sounds when it comes back through the speakers. I love how she interprets our melodies and lyrics. I told her she’s the BLACK Barbra Streisand!!!
Switching gears here…
What do you feel has been and will continue to be the overall key to your longevity?
Well, my longevity is over!!! LOL. I’ve had a great career and accomplished more than I could ever dream. I have truly been blessed…I am grateful for the people I’ve met and worked with.
What do you want people to get from your music?
I hope people get from my music that I’ve written from my heart. I’ve tried to touch people and their emotions in a crafty way. I work hard on lyrics. Never cutting corners on any song. I hope they get that Daryl Simmons is a true romantic!!!
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B music?
I don’t know the state of the music business right now, nor the state of R&B music. I like what I like, but most of it doesn’t move me. I don’t hear strong melodies and lyrics anymore. Thats just my opinion, but what do I know?
Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I plan on writing a book about some of the big songs that I was a part of, and some of the interesting stories and sessions that went on during my career . Hopefully in the next couple of years I can complete it, but other than that I have no big aspirations, man, my career is complete, and I am totally satisfied.
To date, what has been your greatest career highlight(s), at least thus far anyway?
Well, I guess my greatest career highlight would be winning a Grammy for ”End Of The Road.”Winning A Grammy is the pinnacle for us in the music industry, and I never dreamed that I would ever even get nominated.
What’s an average day like for you?
An average day for me is I wake up early, I work out, I check email, I run errands and most days I don’t work on music. I know you find that hard to believe, but music has become a secondary thing in my life, maybe even third; period. I’ll always be a songwriter, so every now and then I do sit at the piano and mess around.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
As far as fans, I try to answer Instagram messages as best I can, but I’m not really a social media guy. I have someone who runs it for me, but I may check it once a week and try to help someone that has a valid question.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
My favorite part about being a songwriter is that it’s fun. It doesn’t seem like work. It’s always great to get together with Kenny and write, because we have a really great time reminiscing about old things that we went through during our struggle. I am truly blessed to be able to have worked on music for a living. There is no greater job! I wouldn’t trade my career for anything in the world.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
My advice for anyone wanting to be a songwriter is to always be honest about the music. Work hard on it, don’t ever give up on it and don’t think that everything you do is great. Also, don’t get caught up in how many songs you have, but how many hit songs do you have? That’s what really matters are the hits!
Lastly, what’s next for you, Sir?
I would just like to say that I hope that people have enjoyed my music. I hope that my music has made you laugh, cry, be sad, be happy and smile. I hope that my music brings back great memories for people, as we all tend to remember where we were when we hear a certain song that we love. So I hope one of my songs brings back some happy memories for people. That would make me very happy.
Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
That’s all!!!
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