'Good To Know': Ken Rudulph

We're kicking off "Good To Know", a new series of web-only interviews with the Good Day Sacramento cast members.

How well do you know Good Day's Ken Rudulph? If you're a regular watcher, you know that Ken is no stranger to the stage. We sat down with Ken to find out more about one of his favorite pastimes -- actually more of a passion: writing and performing music.

Q: What do you like the most about performing?
A: I love creating a mood and atmosphere with music, drawing the crowd into my world and my mind, and hopefully blowing their minds in the process. The best shows I have ever seen, like a few Black Crowes concerts, there are moments when I feel like I am going to leave my body and it's a feeling like no other. My goal has always been to give others that same feeling if remotely possible.

Q: Having played in bands for 20 years, what would you say is your most memorable show?
A: Playing the concert in the Cesar Chavez Park with Mama's Gravy was the most memorable, the sight of hundreds of people grooving to our music was awesome and inspiring. We hope to do it again only better with The Tipsy Hustlers.

Q: Did you play covers in your former bands Mama's Gravy and Phat Mama? If so, what was your favorite band to cover?
A: MG and PM played a few covers. Anyone who has ever talked to me knows I love covering The Black Crowes and Prince, but as I have grown as an artist almost anything will grab my attention and make me want to cover it.

Q: Who would you say are your main musical influences?
A: I don't have a classic R&B voice, so most of my influences are rock-based. Obviously, Jimi Hendrix, Prince and The Black Crowes top the list. Queen, Radiohead, Curtis Mayfield & Sly Stone are always there as well. The kids who are reading this will say "who?" To that I say, go read a book or spend an entire afternoon at The Beat Records or Amoeba Records and you'll see what I mean.

Q: What song and/or musical artist is getting the most play on your iPhone or stereo these days?
A: Since The Tipsy Hustlers are gearing up for our debut I am spending every minute of every day going over our songs and writing new ones. I sort of have my head in the sand focused on getting these tunes right. Although I downloaded the new Jack White album "Blunderbuss" yesterday and that is infiltrating my brain as we speak. That dude is crazy!!

Q: Been to any good shows lately? Are there any up-and-coming bands you think or viewers should check out?
A: The last show I saw was Adele in Los Angeles last year. Not my choice; I was invited by a friend, but she was cool to see and hear. My friends in The Nibblers are really a great local band with an amazing show. It's hard for me to recommend bands since I am super competitive, so once we get The Tipsy hustlers off the ground I can answer that question better. Until then, all other bands can suck it! Hahaha!

Q: MP3 or vinyl?
A: I grew up on vinyl, but MP3's are a lot more convenient, so I guess I will say MP3s.

Q: If you could get one musician on Good Day Sacramento, who would it be?
A. Prince would be the ultimate guest on any show, but to have him here on GDS would be mind blowing and I would most likely have to change my underwear on the set. Then after I changed my trowsers we would duet on "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man". Then I would die with a huge smile on my face!!

Q: What axes do you play? What's your sound setup? (Gotta give the music geeks some love).
A: I am more of a singer/songwriter but I found that to be lazy, so now I am playing more guitar. My set up is pretty basic, I play a Epiphone Les Paul Standard, using a small Fender Frontman amp. It's like the John McCrea from Cake set up. I only use one distortion pedal and a Cry Baby Wah-Wah pedal for effects. I leave the heavy lifting to our lead guitarist Xavier.

Q: Songwriting is a talent that relatively few people possess. Does it come easy to you?
A: I really love the process of creating music, taking a thought or emotion and crafting a 4 minute song that can touch so many people. It's a challenge to get it right, and for the most part I am not sure if I have gotten it right yet. But, that is why I am still doing this going on 20 years for the chance to connect with people, and capture that moment in time. Blah blah blah, just shut up and play already!!

Click here to hear some of Ken's music.
Follow Ken on Twitter @GoodDayKenR