Classic Rock Revisited founder Jeb Wright recently caught up with multi-talent Michael Shotton to discuss the experience working with TRIUMPH vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmet on their new project, AIRTIME. Th efollowing is an excerpt from the interview:

Jeb: Tell me how you met Rik and how you came to decide it would be a good idea to write a rock album?

Michael: "Well, Rik and I were doing some orchestra gigs together and realized that we knew the same people and had a connection right away. I called Rik about a month later and told him about of all things a kid project called Mike's Garage that I was developing, a show based on music. My theme song was a bit of a jazz meets the theme from Welcome Back Kotter kind of vibe, and of course we know that Rik has a very extensive handle on jazz.....yes, he is not just a rocker! We got together and had a ball, this led to other songs then eventually I said to him....'Let's rock brother!' We shared some ideas for songs just for fun, just to feel each other out as to what each other was made of. Well, every session developed new material with amazing potential. Rik and I developed an amazing songwriting bond and dynamic that I have rarely experienced. Songwriters have good days, and they have bad. I can't honestly say that to date, Rik and I had even one bad day. We are looking forward to seeing peoples reactions to Liberty Manifesto and developing our new ideas into new Airtime!"

Jeb: You are also a vocalist so why did you push Rik to sing all the songs?

Michael: "As we were writing and recording we would often times envision which one of us was going to sing. Rik would say, 'I think you will sound good on this one' and vise versa. There came a point where I think I said to Rik that it's such a tough market out there that we need every advantage we can get. People were always asking Rik.....when are you going to rock? Finally, Rik doesn't have to answer this question anymore. I have records out with me singing all over the place. Rik and I have a very no bullshit ego relationship. We agreed that people would be very interested in a rock record where Rik was singing. He's a great singer and he is a Hall Of Fame icon (Rik, I hope I didn't make you feel old). I had no problem handing over the vocal reins to Rik."

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For CRR's complete interview with Rik Emmett click here.