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The new home of webb-wilder.com. Since 1992, this is the original Webb Wilder resource on the internet. We applaud the official site but keep this up as an alternate site for other information, specifically older info not found anywhere else.

THE IONIZER - Who is he? What is he? Is he real? So many questions..........

Part 1 (interview 1995) - Part 2 (Interview 1996) - Part 3 (his CD) - Part 4 (Interview 2007)
ANOTHER IONIZER ARTICLE - THE IONIZER ARTICLE part 2.

R.S. Field: Outstanding in his....

By Randy Fox

This was written in the Summer, 1996 by Randy Fox and appeared in the No Depression WWW site.

R.S. Field represents one of the great hopes for Nashville. He is a maverick producer/performer/songwriter who is not afraid or ashamed to integrate Nashville's past sounds with its present. In an era where most major-label country is either overproduced ballads or southern-slanted rock, Field knows how effective the basics of true rock 'n' and true country can still be.

Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Field absorbed the sounds of British rock bands such as the Beatles, The Who and the Kinks as well as American country artists such as Johnny Horton and Hank Williams. Field moved to Austin for a period and played drums for Omar & The Howlers, but he soon moved back to Hattiesburg and resumed playing with his childhood friend and frequent musical cohort, Webb Wilder.

As a songwriter, Field has co-written "Powerful Stuff", an album-rock radio hit for the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He moved Nashville after scoring a publishing deal but continued to work with Wilder, producing his 1986 debut, It Came From Nashville, as well as Wilder's subsequent Hybrid Vigor, DooDad, Town & Country and Acres of Suede albums; he also wrote or co-wrote many of the songs on those records.

In the early '90s, Field produced three records for British blues legend John Mayall, the second of which, 1993's Wake Up Call, as nominated for a Grammy in the contemporary blues category. Next up was Louisiana guitarist Sonny Landreth; Field co-produced both of Landreth's records on the Zoo/Praxis label.

But the production credit that should have put Field on the permanent Nashville map and honor roll was Tramp on Your Street, Billy Joe Shaver's 1993 comeback record (made with Shaver's son Eddy on guitar and relased under the simple last name Shaver). Tramp was the kind of record Nashville didn't seem to care to make anymore: It was a little raw, highly impassioned, and it totally cooked and caressed the soul in all the right places. It was a startling work that it proved all is not lost on the country music horizon. "It was an honor to work with Billy Joe and Eddie; I would love to do it again," Field says, adding he was also thrilled to have a chance to work with Waylon Jennings, who sang on two cuts from Tramp.

A lover of "guitars and cool songs", as he puts it, Field likes to do what he calls "informal" music. While he may not dress up the music to beg for mass acceptance, most of the time it sounds like he and the artists dig down deep when they go into the studio. A such, it's no surprise that Field considers Billy Bremner, Albert Collins, Kenny Vaughn and George Bradflute among his favorite guitar players, as these players realize just how much that one note can mean, and what can be squeezed from it.

A couple artists Field is currently working with include John Keany, who Field describes as "Kinks-like" or "past-modern mod"; and Jamie Hartford (son of the legendary John Hartford), which he hopes to release on his own label, commonLawrecords. It also looks like he will be producing a new Leroi Brothers record for Rounder; other projects in the works include Carmella Ramsey (the wife of Kenny Vaughn), R.B. Morris, and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Though Field is known for his work in more traditional genres such as country, blues and roots-rock, another band on his wish list to produce is the British alternative-rock trio Supergrass. That may come as a surprise at first, but it stems from Field's basic, undying passion for dressed-down music with a killer vibe. It's a relief to see folks such as Field in the business, looking for that emotion in music rather than its overall marketability. The future don't look so bad after all.

PLEASE feel free to check out the No Depression WWW site. It is very cool!


ROOTS ROCK ACTION FIGURES-"Calling Dr. Strong"
Released June 23, 1998 by Paladin Records Check out their WWW site if it is still around?!?!?!.

The track listing for RRAF- Roots Rock Action Figures "Calling Dr. Strong": The Ionizer's solo project-

Check-up Form The Neck Up, How Long Can She Last, One Of Those Nights, Twangeaux, No Great Shakes, The Rest Will Take Care Of Itself, Calling Dr. Strong, Friendly Little Game, Powerful Stuff, Heart She Can't Beat, Long Short Story, Secret Heart (1982)

THE PLAYERS:
Bobby Field (duh!)- vocals, guitar; Les James/Jimmy Lester plays drums; Kenny Vaughan plays guitar (If you haven't seen or heard Kenny play with Kim Richey, you're in for a treat.); Scott Baggett on bass

A Review from KD: As you can see there are several Webb Wilder tunes. The versions are a tad different than the one's we know and love. Are they better or worse? Hard to say. I love Twangeaux as it is an instrumental ala WW fine works like Horror Hayride and the recent Goldfinger cover. Powerful Stuff is the old Fab T-Birds tune that made it into the movie Cocktail. Calling Dr. Strong is an interesting song in which the Ionizer uses an electronic sort of voice. This song really rocks. Many of the songs are very mellow yet show off The Ionizer's strong songwriting skills. As someone mentioned earlier, it would be cool to see this crew on the road with WW singing as well. Look for some local Nashvegas dates for RRAF. For all us people from outside of Nashvegas, we are out of luck. The tour will consist of very few dates in and around town.

It will be curious to see how well this record does. As usual, the proper marketing is helpful- something that Acres Of Suede did not get (thanks Watermelon Records!). Look for it in stores in June. Enjoy!