“I’m on tour when I’m not with the band and my son Chris is finishing up high school, but he lives close by in Nashville, he’s a performer, I go see him all the time, we’re doing some shows together this spring. “
It’s Raine Maida, former guitarist for the band, Raine Maida and the Band, who called to share his thoughts about “religion,” New Year’s and his five grandchildren:
NYT: Tell me about New Year’s Eve. I know that you play at 6 p.m. at Underground Downstairs.
Raine Maida: I love to play New Year’s Eve. That’s my first album release and I know you’re going to ask me how I feel about that. [Laughs.] Well, I love to do it. It’s fun. I get to meet all my friends and I love to see my friends and see them, you know.
NYT: What’s the track that got the biggest reaction from the audience on New Year’s Eve?
Raine Maida: I was sitting next to Liz Bergen, and she said that it’s the song “Jesus Was a Broken Man” on the album.
NYT: That line about Jesus being a broken man rings in a lot of religions. What was the inspiration behind that?
Raine Maida: Oh, I didn’t write it to be a religious statement. It’s one of the wittiest things I’ve ever written.
NYT: Have you seen an evolution in Christianity over the course of your life?
Raine Maida: I’ve seen it grow and change and I haven’t had many moments of disbelief or embarrassment. I’ve always had a great understanding that people are people, and those who believe in God think differently than people who don’t.
NYT: Would you call yourself a religious person?
Raine Maida: I would say yes. I was raised in a Catholic household, got a great education and I’ve never been tempted to stray from my beliefs. You know, I’m a Christian and I think that is that.
NYT: For the record, you’re married to Rebecca Copeland, your wife of 44 years. She’s a journalist, what has she done that has meant a lot to you?
Raine Maida: I’d say that she’s a very good wife, she’s really supportive of my music, and she’s nurtured our relationship, she’s nurtured our children. My parents, Jim and Iga, when they passed away, she was such a mother.
NYT: What do you do to stay sane in this life?
Raine Maida: Well, when you think about it, each of us can live at home forever. We’re not in charge of our lives, but we can control one of the things we can control. When we can go out and do whatever we want, we should. There are times when I will go up to Canada, there’s three days and I go up to Canada and get in a place I know all my friends are, and I have a great time. Those are the moments that I get very, very sad.
NYT: Where are you headed?
Raine Maida: I’m going to Louisville, Kentucky, very soon.
NYT: Are you in Louisville?
Raine Maida: No, I live in Nashville but I plan to come back. We’ll be playing New Year’s Day, 2 p.m. show.