Lessons Learned With Jerry Cantrell

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Alice In Chains co-founder discusses MusiCares MAP Fund honor, progress on new Alice In Chains album, songwriting and inspiration, and the importance of MusiCares

Steve Baltin

GRAMMYs

May 30, 2012 - 11:46 am

GRAMMY.com

Alice In Chains' co-founder Jerry Cantrell is set to join elite company at the 8th Annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert on May 31. The vocalist/guitarist, who will receive the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his commitment to the MusiCares MAP Fund and helping other addicts with the addiction recovery process, joins previous event honorees such as Alice Cooper, Chris Cornell, Anthony Kiedis, Dave Gahan, and James Hetfield.

Along with certified interventionist Neil Lasher, Cantrell will be the guest of honor at the annual benefit designed to raise funds for the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation. The evening will be hosted by Steve-O and will feature an all-star concert lineup with performances by Alice In Chains, Heart's Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, Billy Idol, Mark Lanegan, Duff McKagan, and a DJ set by Moby.

In advance of the benefit concert, Cantrell discussed the significance of the award, the importance of MusiCares to the music community, progress on the forthcoming new Alice In Chains album, and how collaborating with Elton John on the title track to 2009's GRAMMY-nominated Black Gives Way To Blue brought him full circle.

I saw you play with Metallica at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit in 2006. That was obviously a special performance, but I know you've been to a number of these shows. Are there any favorite memories for you?
Yeah, that one is obviously a classic. I've been a fan of Metallica and friends with those guys for a long time and that was just great — half Alice In Chains and half Metallica playing together. Obviously, on a more serious note, it's inspiring to see James [Hetfield] take control of his issues, some of the same things I have issues with. And it's just inspiring to see somebody make the effort and make a turn for the better.

By accepting this award do you feel like a role model or a positive example?
A better way to look at it is I admire those guys for the effort they make. It's cool to get here, it's cool to know that you can get here and it's nice to be [proof] that no matter where you find yourself in life you've always got a chance to turn it around.

When you look at not only your bandmates, but even recent examples like Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, do you feel very fortunate?
A common part of the human experience is if you f*** around with it long enough, it's gonna get a hold of you. That's been the case for me and for a lot of people too. It's not just explicitly musicians, but being a musician and [having] so many friends that are, it's really nice to have an organization like MusiCares to take care of each other. I remember when I first came here in 2003, Buddy Arnold helped me out.

Tell me about the other artists playing at this year's benefit concert.
Ann and Nancy [Wilson of Heart] are the top of the heap. They've been there for us and we've been there for them too. Any time we got a chance to remind people how important their role has been to music and the world and what that means to us, we're always there for them. I look at them as my older sisters, they've given a lot of great advice and they fought through a lot of adversity and I'm very much looking forward to having them play.

When they told me I was gonna receive the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award, they asked me if I would make a little list of the people I would like to see play. I had just seen [Mark] Lanegan out in Silver Lake and he killed it. God, it was amazing. I hadn't seen him in some years and it was a really magical experience, so I gave him a call and asked him. Duff [McKagan]'s been a friend for years and been very involved with our band as well in various ways. And I don't know Billy [Idol] personally, but I do know Billy Morrison and Steve Stevens, the guitar player. I jammed with Steve a couple of times as well.

Your last album, Black Gives Way To Blue, spawned two GRAMMY nominations. What did that mean to you?
Well, we were very happy to be nominated and lose two GRAMMYs again. I think that put us at zero and eight. Hey, look, dude, it's the old cliché, but it's totally true, it's an honor to be thought of. To be considered one of the [best hard rock performances] of the year, we achieved something. But we were very happy with that, we were very happy with the success that we had. It just felt good, it was hard work and it was worth every bit of it. And we're looking forward to doing it again.

Do you think the new Alice In Chains album will be out this year?
It'll depend on when it's done. We started writing stuff last year. I think we're all good with that now, so now it's time to cut it. So we're gonna try to, but if not it'll probably be out early next year. It'll be out about three or four minutes after we're finished [laughs]. Give the record company time to set it up and plan the attack and tour for hopefully a year, year and a half.

So the writing is pretty much done though?
The thing that set me back is I had some bone spurs [and] cartilage issues in my shoulders. I had the same issue in the other shoulder about six years ago so I've had them both done now. It's a repetitive motion injury from playing. But the repair takes a year [laughs]. So that kind of set us back a little bit, but it takes time anyway — my body started a vacation.

Who are those songwriters that are universal to you?
The earliest examples are the ones that got me started [and] that's the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. That's what really got me into it. I didn't even know two-thirds of the s*** these guys were talking about, but I felt it. And also I realized this music and these feelings that are coming to me on this piece of plastic have all this weight, all this magic in it and it inspired me to want to do that myself. And then years later to have Elton play piano on [our] last record especially, it's funny how s*** comes around cause that's the guy [who] got me started. It's a really cool thing and it also speaks to the journey of your life, it's going back to what we were talking about with MusiCares. It's a good example not to give up. You never know what is gonna come down the road. There's some pretty cool s*** that happens if you decide to stick around.

What does it mean to you to be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award?
That the award is honoring Stevie, who's an incredible musician and then also a person that made changes and turned his s*** around — it's a hell of an effort. It's nothing easy. It's doable, but it's not an easy thing and I can tell you that from experience. It takes some balls for sure, and it takes some serious effort at times. To receive this, what it means, is I'm very honored. And obviously that it started with Stevie, that's a pretty great thing. As a guitar player you don't get much better than that.

(Steve Baltin has written about music for Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, MOJO, Chicago Tribune, AOL, LA Weekly, Philadelphia Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, and dozens more publications.)

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DJ AM Memorial Fund To Launch At MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit

Benefit concert honoring Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell and certified interventionist Neil Lasher to launch special addiction recovery fund in honor of the late Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein

GRAMMYs

May 24, 2012 - 11:51 am

GRAMMY.com

The eighth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert will honor Alice In Chains co-founder Jerry Cantrell and certified interventionist and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Senior Consultant Neil Lasher at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on May 31. Cantrell will be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. Lasher will be the recipient of MusiCares' From the Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.

The event will feature a special presentation commemorating the official launch of the DJ AM Memorial Fund in honor of the late Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein. In conjunction with his mother Andrea Gross, the fund will assist MusiCares in providing addiction recovery services to its clients. While honoring the musical legacy of the late DJ AM and his commitment to sobriety, the fund will provide much needed resources to help free music people of the stigma and challenges of substance abuse.

Hosted by television personality Steve-O, the benefit concert will feature performances by GRAMMY-nominated band Alice In Chains featuring guitarist/vocalist Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney; Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart; Billy Idol with his band featuring drummer Jeremy Colson, bassist Stephen McGrath, guitarist Billy Morrison, keyboardist Derek Sherinian, and lead guitarist Steve Stevens; singer/songwriter Mark Lanegan (Queens Of The Stone Age, Screaming Trees); and Duff McKagan's Loaded. Artist Moby will DJ during dinner in honor of the late DJ AM.

All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

For MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert special dinner and concert ticket information, contact Wynnie Wynne at 310.392.3777 or wynniew@grammy.com. General admission seats are available via Ticketmaster.

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MusiCares MAP Fund Gives Recovery A Rockin' Facelift

Alice In Chains' co-founder Jerry Cantrell and certified interventionist Neil Lasher honored at annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert

GRAMMYs

Jun 1, 2012 - 3:07 pm

GRAMMY.com

8th Annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert

Friendship, music and recovery emerged as the predominant themes at the 8th Annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert on May 31 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. The annual benefit concert raised funds for the MusiCares MAP Fund, an organization that provides financial and supportive assistance for music people in need of addiction recovery services regardless of their financial situation.

Alice In Chains' co-founder Jerry Cantrell was honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his commitment to the MusiCares MAP Fund and helping other addicts with the addiction recovery process. Certified interventionist Neil Lasher received MusiCares' From the Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization. A longtime supporter of MusiCares, Lasher helped initiate the first Safe Harbor Room — MusiCares' support system at major industry events for artists and crew members facing addiction issues — in 1997 at the 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards. The event also included a special presentation commemorating the official launch of the DJ AM Memorial Fund in honor of the late Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein.

Hosted by comedian Steve-O, the concert featured musical performances by Alice In Chains, Duff McKagan's band Loaded, Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, Billy Idol, and Screaming Trees' co-founder Mark Lanegan. Highlights included Loaded teaming with the Wilsons for covers of the Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers" and Elton John's "Curtains" and a trio of hits from Idol, whose "Rebel Yell" brought the audience to its feet. Moby provided musical ambience with a DJ set during dinner.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield, a previous Stevie Ray Vaughan Award recipient, was featured via a special video presentation. Hetfield congratulated Cantrell on his honor while also thanking him for his "music and friendship." Cantrell was presented with the award by his longtime friend, Alice In Chains drummer Sean Kinney. During his remarks, a moved Cantrell intimately shared his personal recovery story and thanked his friends, family and MusiCares for an "amazing night."

"I've had a lot of help and all I can claim is showing up and doing the work," said Cantrell.

To close the evening, Cantrell was joined by bandmates Kinney, William DuVall and Mike Inez for a five-song unplugged set, including Alice In Chains favorites "Nutshell," "Would?" and "No Excuses." Cantrell dedicated the former song to late Alice In Chains band members Layne Staley and Mike Starr.

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Heart, Billy Idol, Duff McKagan, Mark Lanegan To Rock For Recovery

Performers added to MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert honoring Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Sony/ATV Music Publishing's Neil Lasher

GRAMMYs

Apr 5, 2012 - 3:55 am

GRAMMY.com

Heart's Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson; Billy Idol and band members Jeremy Colson (drums), Stephen McGrath (bass), Billy Morrison (guitars), Derek Sherinian (keyboards), and Steve Stevens (guitars); singer/songwriter Mark Lanegan (Queens Of The Stone Age, Screaming Trees); and bassist Duff McKagan (Loaded, Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver) have been added to the performance lineup for the eighth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert on May 31 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

The benefit concert will honor Alice In Chains co-founder Jerry Cantrell and certified interventionist and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Senior Consultant Neil Lasher. Cantrell will be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. Lasher will be the recipient of MusiCares' From The Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.

Hosted by television personality Steve-O, the evening will also feature a special performance by eight-time GRAMMY nominees Alice In Chains, featuring guitarist/vocalist Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney. GRAMMY-nominated musician Moby will DJ live during dinner.

All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

For MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert special dinner and concert ticket information, contact Wynnie Wynne 310.392.3777 or wynniew@grammy.com.

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MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit To Honor Jerry Cantrell, Neil Lasher

Alice In Chains co-founder and Sony/ATV Music Publishing executive to be honored for their commitment to the addiction and recovery process and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund

GRAMMYs

Mar 22, 2012 - 3:50 am

GRAMMY.com

Cantrell will be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. Lasher will be the recipient of MusiCares' From the Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

Hosted by television personality Steve-O, the evening will feature a special performance by eight-time GRAMMY nominees Alice In Chains featuring guitarist/vocalist Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney. GRAMMY-nominated musician Moby will DJ live during dinner. Additional artists will be announced shortly.

"Jerry's role in shaping the world of rock music is profound and ongoing," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. "His artistry as a guitarist is inspiring, and his contributions as a songwriter have earned Alice In Chains millions of fans around the world. And Neil has built an extraordinary career spanning more than 30 years in the music industry, and a parallel career in the field of substance abuse where his name has become synonymous with recovery and survival. But what unites Jerry and Neil are their unwavering support of MusiCares and our recovery programs, and their unselfish capacity to be of service to music people struggling with addiction."

"From what I've seen, addiction can be an occupational hazard in the music business and I know firsthand how the MusiCares MAP Fund helps artists and members of the music community find the resources for recovery," said Cantrell. "I've been a supporter for a long time, and I'm proud to help raise awareness and funds so this organization can continue to save lives."

"I've been very fortunate to have two rewarding careers — one in the music industry and one in the field of addiction recovery," said Lasher. "I've made countless friends in both, and have wonderful memories spanning many years. And because I've seen the ravages of addiction take their toll on artists, crew members, myself, and others who work in the music business, I've been a supporter of the MusiCares MAP Fund from the very beginning. Their programs give people their dignity and their lives back."

Alongside fellow Seattle bands Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, Alice In Chains changed the face of popular music. Cantrell's contributions to the landscape of modern rock music are undeniable, and the music he has written has not only moved millions of people, but has stood the test of time. After several years honing his skills with local bands in the Seattle area, Cantrell formed Alice In Chains in 1987, alongside bandmates Kinney, Layne Staley, and Mike Starr. The band quickly developed a devout following, and by 1989 signed with Columbia Records. Over the course of their career Alice In Chains have achieved international acclaim, releasing albums and EPs that have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and charting 13 top 10 rock singles. The band also had two consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, including 1994's Jar Of Flies, which became the first EP in history to achieve the feat.

Upon Alice In Chains' hiatus from touring in 1996, Cantrell continued to write prolifically, releasing two successful solo albums. Four years after the passing of Staley, in 2002 Alice In Chains reformed and subsequently released Black Gives Way To Blue in 2009. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, landed two No. 1 songs on Billboard's Rock Songs chart, spawned consecutive GRAMMY nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2009 and 2010, and was certified gold. Cantrell was also voted Best Guitarist of the Year by the readers of Guitar World magazine. Firmly re-established as one of the world's preeminent rock bands, Alice In Chains capped 14 months of touring in support of the album with a sold-out arena run, and are currently working on their next album.

Lasher is a certified alcoholism and substance abuse counselor, and a certified ARISE interventionist. Sober for approximately 25 years, Lasher has emerged as an active leader in creating alcohol and substance abuse recovery opportunities for individuals in the music industry. He has been a consultant for MusiCares and its Safe Harbor Room program, which was first established backstage at the 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast to provide a support system to artists and crew members struggling with addiction issues. Lasher is also a consultant to Caron Treatment Centers and a member of Caron's New York advisory board.

In addition to his accomplishments in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse, Lasher is a music industry veteran who has worked with Pat Benatar, James Blunt, Billy Idol, Huey Lewis, Rob Thomas, and many more top artists. He has more than 30 years of experience, including work at radio and major record labels and his past 20 years in the music publishing industry. In his role as senior consultant for Sony/ATV Music Publishing in New York, he works closely with creative and licensing executives on priority artists and projects. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns or administers more than 750,000 copyrights by such legendary artists as the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, Little Richard, Diane Warren, and Hank Williams, among others. The company's growing current roster of chart-topping artists includes Akon, Colbie Caillat, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Shakira, Taylor Swift, and KT Tunstall.

For MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert special dinner and concert ticket information, contact Wynnie Wynne 310.392.3777 or wynniew@grammy.com. General admission seats will be made available via Ticketmaster beginning March 23.