Rodney Justo Reflects on His Musical Career, From Children’s Radio Singer to Atlanta Rhythm Section LeaderRodney Justo Reflects on His Musical Career From Children’s Radio Singer to Atlanta Rhythm Section Leader

Interview conducted by: DJ

MGM: All right, so listen, I want to thank you for your time. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us.

Rodney Justo: My pleasure.

MGM: We speak with Rodney Justo, the original singer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. We have a diverse audience, younger fans who listen to our stuff and read our articles, and also an older generation of fans who will definitely remember the band and the hits you had in the 70s.

Rodney Justo: Certainly, the older ones, yes.

MGM: RIGHT. We’re going to talk about the history of the band, how you got into the band, and even before that. I heard you have some really interesting stories from your years in the industry. So, could you shed some light on how you got into the music industry, your influences, and how it all came together before joining the Atlanta Rhythm Section and recording this debut album?

Rodney Justo: Of course, my life is an open book. I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version. When I was a child, I sang on the radio. There was no television back then, so that tells you how old I am. I was in sixth grade and we were singing a song called “Cool Water.” They asked me to sing, and all the other kids were like, “Wow, you can sing.” » That was it for a while. Fast forward to tenth grade, I was given a snare drum. My father was a very typical Spaniard who liked peace and quiet, so it was a sacrifice for him to give me a drum. I thought I was going to be a drummer, but I ended up becoming a singer and starting a band.

MGM: So how did you go from playing in bands to the professional music scene?

Rodney Justo: Well, my band has supported a lot of artists that have come to the west coast of Florida. We got to know many people in the industry, including Roy Orbison. Later, Roy wanted to have his own band that could operate even when he wasn’t touring. I replaced Bobby Goldsboro in Orbison’s band, and by the time I was 20, I was traveling all over the world with Roy. It was an awesome experience.

MGM: It’s incredible. So how did the Atlanta Rhythm Section come together?

Rodney Justo: Buddy Buie, who was building Studio One, wanted to entice artists to record there by having a reliable in-house band. He called me and asked if I would help form this group. We started out as session musicians, and that’s how the Atlanta Rhythm Section was born.

MGM: Reading about Studio One, I know a lot of good records came out of it. It’s interesting that you helped build the studio itself.

Rodney Justo: Yes, we got our hands dirty, laid tiles, soundproofed the walls, did everything except work on the glass. We helped build the studio and many famous bands recorded there, like Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special.

MGM: It’s incredible. Let’s talk a little about your background. You mentioned your last name and the fact that your family is Spanish. Can you tell us more?

Rodney Justo: Yes, my whole family is from Spain. My mother’s family is from Asturias and my father’s is from Galicia. I visit from time to time to see family.

MGM: It’s fascinating. Now, coming back to your career, you have some memorable stories from your time with Roy Orbison. Can you share one with us?

Rodney Justo: Of course, Roy was a great guy with an incredible sense of humor. We used to bother him a bit. For example, in Scotland we got him drunk on something called Pick Me Up Charlie’s, and he was laughing so hard. He appreciated humor and was very generous with his time.

MGM: This sounds like a great experience. After your time with Roy Orbison, you had a solo record. How did it happen?

Rodney Justo: Roy wanted to produce me as an artist. My recording session took place right after The Beatles debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show. The songs I sang were written by Fred Carter. Even though I knew the record didn’t stand a chance against the Beatles’ popularity, it was a great learning experience.

MGM: Fast forward to when you joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Do you have any memorable anecdotes related to the recording of the first album?

Rodney Justo: It took two years to make this record because we were recording other artists. I remember singing “Baby No Lie” and looking into the control booth where Buddy Buie and others were performing. I started singing like Jerry Lewis, and yet no one noticed. Rodney Mills, our engineer, remembered it though.

MGM: You left the group after this first album. Do you have any regrets about this decision?

Rodney Justo: No, I have no regrets. I moved to New York to seek better career opportunities and to support my family. At that time, the group did not yet have any hits, and Buddy Buie understood this well.

MGM: How did Ronnie Hammond get into the band?

Rodney Justo: Ronnie was managed by Rodney Mills, our engineer. Buddy heard Ronnie singing and decided he was the new singer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

MGM: The Atlanta Rhythm Section enjoyed many later successes. Do you think these songs have stood the test of time?

Rodney Justo: Absolutely. Songs like “So Into You” have a lasting impact. The songs are everything and they continue to resonate with audiences.

MGM: You are currently on tour with the band. How do you feel about acting these days?

Rodney Justo: I like to play and meet people. It all depends on the connections you make. We play the songs with integrity and have a great time on stage.

MGM: It’s fantastic. You are coming to Huntsville on June 28th. What can fans expect from the series?

Rodney Justo: Fans can expect to have a great time. We leave everything on stage, playing the songs the way they’re supposed to be done. We respect the audience and like to meet them after the show.

MGM: Rodney, thank you very much for your time. I really enjoyed our conversation and can’t wait to see you perform.

Rodney Justo: THANKS. I look forward to seeing you too. Be good to yourself.

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