After more than 30 years as a mash-up master of funk and rock, Mother's Finest vocalist Glenn Murdock said he's finally discovered the secret to success.
Honesty.
The Atlanta-based band spent the 1970s poised to become the next big thing, opening for bands such as the Who and Aerosmith before fading in the New Wave 1980s.
Fading, but not disappearing. Mother's Finest will perform Friday at Border Bash, the annual pregame party and charity fundraiser at the Augusta Common to celebrate the University of South Carolina and University of Georgia football game Saturday in Athens.
Today, with Mr. Murdock and fellow founding member Joyce Kennedy at the helm and Gary 'Moses Mo' Moore and Wyzard back in the fold, Mother's Finest continues to tour and record. The secret, Mr. Murdock said, is understanding that people will respond to authentic music, and that authentic music can happen only when musicians are honest, professionally and personally.
"It's something natural," Mr. Murdock said in a recent telephone interview. "It's something that some people say we make look too easy. But it's where we're from, musically."
Mr. Murdock said much of the Mother's music has been written onstage, developed from a seed planted by an improvisation or exploration. He credits Ms. Kennedy for much of that.
"She's a great writer," he said. "She understands this music. So yes, a lot of these songs come from vamps. A groove develops and that groove becomes a song."
Mother's Finest has always been a band renowned for its live shows.
"We're still able to do it," Mr. Murdock said. It is what has kept us afloat, particularly in Europe. We're really being rediscovered there. People are seeing us live and that means people are discovering this music."
Mr. Murdock said the band is working on a new album. He said conceptually, the songs are spiritual, in a general rather than classic sense. Like many of Mother's Finest's albums, it marks new territory for a band that has continuously found new space to explore.
"There's a very simple reason we're able to do that," he said. "We've been able to take care of the temple. We take care of the body, soul and mind. That has a profound effect."
Mr. Murdock says the band's albums, despite critical acclaim, never sold as well as expected, but he believes that there's a reason.
"It's karma," he said. "We are exactly where we are supposed to be. (Parliament Funkadelic's) George Clinton is the same age as me, and every time I see him I feel sad. He can't do the things he wants, and it's because he has bought into his ego. Is he successful? Sure. But because of what I've found in my life, I've succeeded. I make honest music because I live an honest life."
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626, or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
BORDER BASH 2009
FEATURING: Mother's Finest, the Joe Stevenson Band and appearances by Hairy Dog, Cocky and the University of Georgia and University of South Carolina cheerleaders
WHEN: 4-11:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Augusta Common, 800 block between Broad and Reynolds streets
COST: $10, benefits child and youth charities; tickets at Food Lion, Communigraphics, Hooters and Circle K; VIP tickets $50, $10 for children and include tented seating and concessions; www.borderbash.net
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