‘Great journey’
Drummer says he’s living a dream playing with Collective Soul
Johnny Rabb always dreamed of being a musician.
He’s living that dream with Collective Soul, and for the past seven years, he’s been touring around the world.
“It’s been a great journey,” he says in a recent phone interview. “We’ve been really busy, and I’ve been in tour mode for months.”
Collective Soul is approaching its 25th anniversary in the music industry. The alternative rock band rose to fame with its rock anthem “Shine.” This single set the tone for the band in the coming years.
Over the course of its career, Collective Soul has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and averages over 1 million Spotify streams a month.
The band released a live album in December and is touring in support of it.
Rabb says the band spent the first part of the year recording tracks for a coming album.
“We’ve tracked 19 new songs, and it went by so quickly,” he says. “We tore it up in the studio. We’re hoping there is a possibility for a double album release in 2019.”
Rabb says the rumor is that the album will be released in celebration of the band’s 25th anniversary.
“It’s a collection of really cool music,” he says. “From hard rock to medium-tempo tracks, there’s a lot in there showing the range of the band.”
The band’s current lineup is Ed Roland, Dean Roland, Will Turpin, Jesse Triplett and Rabb.
The band has been on tour with 3 Doors Down and Soul Asylum for the majority of the summer.
Collective Soul will perform with 3 Doors Down at 8 tonight at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero. The band then performs to close out the New Mexico State Fair music series at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Tingley Coliseum.
Rabb says the tour has brought in a new generation of fans.
“There are fans who are bringing their children to their first concert,” he says. “This is the part that is very cool. Without the fans, we wouldn’t be able to do this for as long as we have. We love to play live and see everybody again.”
Rabb is grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the band and continue its legacy.
Seven years ago, he was a drummer looking for a steady gig.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking,” he says of his first time playing with the band. “I’ve learned that this job doesn’t get monotonous. We all go out there night after night and put on the best show we can. There are still nerves, because the band is ingrained into people’s lives. We have to live up to the expectations.”