Jason Price of Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Tom Keifer to discuss the incredible impact The Way Life Goes has had on him creatively, what fans can expect from the upcoming deluxe edition of the album, and what the future holds for him and his band in the months to come.

An excerpt below:

Price: The last time we spoke, it was just before the release of “The Way Life Goes.” You covered a lot of miles and it has been a wild ride for you since the release. What impact has this album had on you personally and professionally?

Keifer: “It has been beyond my expectations in terms of many things. The way it has been received by the fans and the press and in reviews has been amazing. It has also brought some truly incredible people into my life. Being able to work with my wife, Savannah, in creating the album and now with her being part of the touring band has been a really, really cool thing. The band that came together for the tour has had a really, really great chemistry from day one. I thought I was going to have to audition for months because the record was created with session musicians. When it was time to release it and go on tour, I had to put together a band that could convincingly play the new stuff and the Cinderella stuff and be people who you want to be around! That was kind of a tall order. What is amazing is that the very first people who walked into the very first audition are the same people who are on this bus I am standing on as I talk to you. [laughs] It feels like it was the band that was meant to be. The chemistry on and off stage has been really amazing and they are a really great inspiration to me. They are amazing musicians and people and we have just been having a ball. That is part of the reason we have continued to tour behind the record. As different as things are today, it takes awhile for the music to seep in. There isn’t one format or outlet that is going to take you platinum overnight. It is a very different climate. We are out, as our bass player Billy [Mercer] likes to say, taking the music to the people! [laughs] You know, it is a pretty long tour cycle for a record but the record took forever to make and I feel very blessed to have this band and these people in my life. We are just having a good time out here!”

Price: Can you tell us about the songs you and the band cooked up at this point?

Keifer: “We aren’t announcing what they are quite yet but we will be shortly. The only thing I can say about them is that they are songs that came about as a direct result of the release of this record. They are something that came about as a result of this project and all the touring we have been doing. When we announce what they are, I think it is really going to make sense to fans. Some people have asked me, ‘Why aren’t you just making a new record?’ Well, we are actually in the process of writing but the songs that we selected and intentionally went into the studio to record, a few weeks ago, are things that don’t really make sense for a new record. They make sense with The Way Life Goes. That will make sense when the deluxe version is released and everyone knows what it is.”

In 2013, Keifer released his debut solo album, The Way Life Goes, to rave reviews and immediately kicked off a non-stop touring schedule. Flash forward to 2016.

Now, as a “thank you” to his fans who have supported him and the long-awaited solo project for the past few years by attending one packed show after another, Keifer and his bandmates (#Keiferband: Tony Higbee/guitars and vocals, Billy Mercer/bass and vocals, Paul Simmons, drums and vocals, Paul Taylor/keyboards and vocals, Savannah Keifer/vocals, percussion and piano, Kendra Chantelle/vocals and percussion) will being entering a Nashville studio later this month to record with four-time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Vance Powell (Elle King, Chris Stapleton, Jack White).

The new tracks will be featured as bonus material on an expanded, deluxe edition of Keifer’s 2013 solo debut album, The Way Life Goes. Set for release later this year, the package will also include the original album that’s currently being remastered by Richard Dodd (Kings Of Leon, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum), a bonus DVD with video extras, a documentary about the creation of the bonus tracks, and exclusive interviews with the band filmed during the new recording sessions.

The as-yet-untitled deluxe set will be wrapped in an all new expanded art package designed by artist David Calcano (creator of the Fantoons comic strip series) with one-of-a-kind unique illustrations depicting each song. Keifer credits a framed collage designed by Calcano of images depicting life, members of his band and songs from The Way Life Goes that was given to him by his tour manager, Gene Aldridge, as the inspiration to release the deluxe edition.

“That one gift,” said Keifer, “instantly made us think about all the incredible people, adventures and inspiration that had come into our lives over the last few years. The new deluxe edition is our way of celebrating the way life’s gone since the initial release. It’s been an amazing journey!”

The new package’s bonus track song titles, release date and some other very special surprises will be announced in the coming weeks.

In touring news, Tom Keifer and his band has confirmed lots of new tour dates that will keep them on the road throughout the rest of the year. Check them out at any of the following stops:

April
23 - Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
28 - Chester, PA - The Block Entertainment Center/Harrah’s
29 - Englewood, NJ - Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 - Columbia, MD - M3 Rock Festival

May
12 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
13 - Houston, TX - The Pub
14 - Kinder, LA - Coushatta Casino Resort
28 - Herrin, IL - HerrinFesta Italiana

June
3 - Nashville, TN - Farm Rock
10 - Saginaw, MI - FirstMerit Bank Event Park
11 - Elgin, IL - Arcada Park
15 - Alameda, CA - Alameda County Fair
18 - Tucson, AZ - Kino Sports Center
24 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena

August
12 - Three Forks, MT - Rockin’ The Rivers Music Festival
20 - Calgary, AB - Deerfoot Inn & Casino

More dates to be announced.