Interview with Scott Raines – Guitar Player with the Artimus Pyle Band
By Michael Yanko
Rock Legends Photographers
We have been friends with Artimus Pyle for about 15 years and he hasn’t changed a bit. Artimus is famous for being the drummer with Lynyrd Skynyrd during their prime and for carrying on the memory and direction of Ronnie Van Zant after the plane crash in 1977. Artimus always assembles excellent talent for his ”tribute to the original Lynyrd Skynyrd” bands but the lineup he has today is the best ever!
We’ll do an article and interview with Artie in the future but for now let me introduce Mr. Scott Raines, lead guitar for the Artimus Pyle Band.
I first met Scott, guitar player Jerry Lyda, and keyboard/lead vocalist Brad Durden in an elevator on the first Rock Legends Cruise in 2011. I immediately liked all three of them and we talked about how they met and also how they got hooked up with Artimus.
I’ve seen them perform five shows and I have to tell you that these three along with bass player Tony Black and Artimus really bring the Lynyrd Skynyrd rock and roll like it was played in the 70’s! They are all great guys and very fan friendly and if you ever go to one of their shows you’ll probably meet them and love them just like we do!
Scott is from Slocum, Alabama and was playing bars in south Alabama in north Florida as a young teenager. He Taught his older brother how to play guitar so he could go out to play at bars and his brother could watch over him and his parents would let him go.
Here’s our interview:
Michael: What one song do you personally like playing the most?
Scott: Swamp Music and playing, singing Curtis Lowe.
Michael: What song do you don’t play that you wish you did?
Scott: “Ain’t no good life” off Street Survivors.
Michael: When I met you, Brad and Jerry in the elevator you told me about how you all got together. Refresh my memory.
Scott: I’ve known Jerry and Brad since the 80s and played the same circuits. We always said that 1 day we need to be in a band together. Jerry called Scott in July 2010 and told him Artie wants to put together a band. Tony was already playing with Artie for a few years.
Michael: How did Artie find you?
Scott: Found Jerry at the store (Jerry owns Musiccity in Asheville).
Michael: You guys all seem to be great friends in public. Is it the same when you guys are off the road?
Scott: Everybody gets along awesome. I’ve Seen the tough side of Artie. It takes a lot to bring it out of him.
Michael: What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Scott: I laugh at myself a lot but I don’t get embarrassed.
Michael: What venue that you’ve played at was your favorite?
Scott: The Studio B on the Rock Legends Cruise or BB Kings NYC.
Michael: The lineup that APB has right now is incredibly tight. God forbid that something happened to any of the guys but if it did, do you already have backup people for each guy that can step in and do a few shows?
Scott: Yes, we have a guy that can sub bass or guitar.
Michael: You were on both Rock Legends Cruises and obviously one of the fan favorites. I know that you guys truly enjoy the meet and greets and interacting with the fans, but is it overwhelming on the cruises having fans everywhere you go?
Scott: We love interacting with the fans. Sometimes we have to drag Artimus away because he’ll stay and talk until the last fan has left the building, and sometimes we have to go in order to catch our flight for the next show (laughs).
Special thanks to Scott for taking the time to speak with me!
If you love Lynyrd Skynyrd music then you must go out of your way to catch the Artimus Pyle Band! Be sure and check out these three YouTube videos:
Check out the band’s website here.
