Shortly after I posted my review of Dakota's The Last Standing Man album, JERRY G. HLUDZIK somehow managed to find his way to the Mood Swings web site and read the review. An offer of an interview was too good an opportunity to miss. So here's the first ever Mood Swings interview, with JERRY G HLUDZIK and RICK MANWILLER from Dakota.....
Jerry G Hludzik 
Rick Manwiller
Interview Date: 7 Feb 1998
Q1. The first time I heard of Dakota was through the Mr Lucky album. But this album was actually first released in 1986 under the title The Lost Tracks as a sort of farewell album. What prompted the issue of the Mr Lucky album ? Also, could you maybe say a few words about the history of the band ?
Jerry's reply:
#1 About late 95 I got correspondence from MTM's Magnus Soderkivist from Sweden who at the time was working for a label called Empire records. I called him back and addressed his questions, which lead to me sending him Dakota "Lost Tracks" lp, which was on an independent label back in around '86. He said he was very fond of our past recordings and wanted it for his collection. I sent 3 copies, of which I found out later went to the infamous (all friends by the way) OLA and PAR of ENDLESS MUSIC and MID WESTERN SKIES fame. I sent him some material which didn't fit with Empire's music, but he put me in touch with Long Island Records in Germany where I hooked up with my very good friend Khalil Turk and the rest (I hope) is history! I actually almost signed with Long Island, but Khalil was leaving the label and since I felt very comfortable with him, I decided to tag along in his new venture, along with Barrie Kirtley-ESCAPE MUSIC. I might add we're past the 2 record mark and are still speaking with each other! That's rare in this business! They are both very honourable fellows.
The history of the band is too long to even go there! If you have a specific, send it along. If not the text on our web site should give you any background you need. I will say this however- it's been quite a ride! No regrets, great memories, and STILL a big part of my life, even before the current ongoings.
Check out the band's web pages at Rick Manwiller's Web Site
2. In my review of Mr Lucky I mentioned that I think that vocals are too prominent. Do you agree ? :) When Rick first read this comment he told me that it was amazing that the album sounded as good as it did considering the equipment. I've just read the biography at the Dakota web site and there is a reference to the "closet studio". Comments ?
Jerry's reply:
#2 Yeah maybe, but once again they weren't masters to be released! Even as the "Lost Tracks" fans around here just wanted to hear DAKOTA, we were all off doing other things and didn't worry about mixes. It's not that we didn't care what it sounded like- it just happened that way.
And then all of a sudden, 10 years later (with a few changes - new name) "Mr. Lucky" comes out of the ashes in places we never even thought knew of the band!
I've attached Ricks comments about the CLOSET studio--- I actually sang in a small living room while Rick and the equipment sat in a small closet big enough for just him!
Rick's reply:
2# It really was a closet. But I've made improvements….. now it's a bigger closet!
3. Another of the comments I made about Mr Lucky was that "All Thru' The Night" sounded like Garth Brooks. Rick has already told me that song was written for Kenny Rogers. The Dakota biography mentions your involvement in Country music song writing. Country music seems to have really taken off over the past couple of years. Do you have any plans to explore this area again, maybe in a side project ?
Jerry's reply:
#3 Yes, All thru the night was written with Kenny Rodgers and Sheena Easten in mind, and I was in a studio in LA and met Rodgers, handed him a tape of the song. Did he listen? Who knows- at the time, the song was perfect for him and her. But as a writer you always think that way. If he never listened ----HIS LOSS!
The Garth Brooks reference is good company- I'm not offended! Yes Rick and I were staff writers at MCA of Nashville for a while. I co-wrote a song for popular country artists THE OAK RIDGE BOYS, and became friends with one of the singers, DUANE ALLEN (by the way I ended up co-writing SOMEBODY'S HERO from "The Last Standing Man" with his son DEE (very good singer/writer in his own right). You guys in Europe might hear him very soon! Through the connection with his father we got our MCA publishing deal.
Rick and I went on to co-write another song for their next album. We're writers- we write jingles, country songs, pop songs, whatever- to make a living! Rick and I also never stopped playing live to make a living. You might say this is our life's work.
Dakota, however, for me, has been close to my heart since day 1 because in those years it was a big part of my growing up. I felt the joy, the pain, accomplishments, as well as failure within that project. And within all my experiences as an adult, THAT taught me the most about life, and who I am!
Rick's reply:
3# Jerry really got the country concept going when he and another friend of ours got together on a whim to write some of it. We had a friend that was involved with the Oak Ridge Boys ,Mike Stahl and he passed on the demo. They recorded Jerry's 1st attempt at country. Sounds easy doesn't it? I engineered the project, it was really a lucky break! Jerry and I started writing more of it and thru our Oak Ridge Boys connection, signed a deal as staff writers @ MCA of Nashville in1989. The deal only lasted a year but we have a 40 song catalog at MCA, some of which some day will hopefully get recorded by some "Big Guys" The songs are very good , if I do say so myself.
4. The release of Mr Lucky prompted Dakota to get together again and record some me material. How did it feel to be back in the studio again ?
Jerry's reply:
#4 Mr Lucky released in Aug '96. By November,. I was getting calls from, as I said, places I never thought knew we existed! Then when there was talk of a brand-new studio album, it felt very exciting and scary at the same time. I thought about it for about a day and didn't really take the attitude "I have nothin' to lose". But I really didn't- I've fallen flat on my face before. Remember I'm not afraid of the word "failure". It's just a word! So I phoned up Rick, who I was hoping was to be involved (we hadn't, at this point, worked together in about 5 years after working almost 12 together, living 3 miles from each other). But I had previously told him what was going on with Mr.Lucky, talked 2 days later and agreed to embark on this journey together. I myself had to exorcise a few demons--- this was actually the 1st project in 17 years I wasn't involved with x-DAK Bill Kelly and the new line up---- fear of not being accepted ----writing songs for the late 80's without being dated,----while writings songs that said something instead of "I love you, you love me". All these things played on me!.
5. When listening to TLSM I detect a slight change in the Dakota sound. Whereas I'd describe Mr Lucky as AOR meets Westcoast, TLSM seems to be more AOR meets Rock. Was there a conscious decision to change the sound or did it just happen naturally ?
Jerry's reply:
#4 Yes and No. I personally think which ever direction DAKOTA goes it will always sound like DAKOTA, however, yes- there WAS a conscious effort to get a little harder. Just a little, and from there we let it just take its course. But I didn't want to go overboard because I didn't really know what the European fans were expecting. So I guess I played it a little safe,.and we have been away for awhile! All in all, judging by the favourable reviews, I guess WE accomplished my original agenda! Make an 80's-type Dakota-sounding record with songs that said something meaningful acceptance of the new line up AND NOW LOOK OUT!!!!! Especially where JON GTR and ELI DRUMS are concerned. Rick and I haven't even cut them loose yet! Don't get me wrong though- our kind of "hard" will never be without big hooks and melodies because we can't write any other way this is DAKOTA!
6. I know that lyrics aren't high on the agenda for most AOR acts, but one of things I liked about TLSM was that the lyrics aren't all just the usual love based stuff. Songs like the title track and Somebody's Hero have got some positive messages. Who writes the lyrics ?
Jerry's reply:
#5and #6
Continuing on---- LYRICS to me are the heart and soul of a song. The messages in these songs are very important. "Mama, Teach", "LSM", "Somebody's Hero"-"Run With the Wind", "This Voice", "Hot Nights", were all very personal thoughts and views. Like for instance "Mama Teach" was my therapy song for Eli leaving for college. My 1st born leaving the fold and questioning yourself as a parent "Did you pass on the proper tools for survival in this crazy world we live in?" As a parent, you hold on to that hand at first very tight and slowly, over the years, loosen the grip, until its time to let them go! Happiness and sadness all in one breath. At that point you've had your chance to teach them whatever you could, then you have to cut them loose and hope for the best. HOWEVER, children are like flowers (the song "Water") they need guidance and water to grow. The line "invested time turns loss into a gain" is so true! In a lot of the songs---- Rick and I write together. I think we have a good feel of where the other wants to go. Also individually we both can do well- just look at his "Struggles With the Heart"! Great song and was MY pleasure to sing!
Rick's reply:
6# That depends on the song---one of us usually comes up with the germinal idea, and we finish it together. The title track was an oddity-Jerry wrote All the lyrics to that because it was a musical track I had and I hated my Own lyrics!
7. I gave TLSM the thumbs up, but what have the rest of the reviews been like ?
Jerry's reply:
#7 YES YOU DID! THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN! As I said for the most part, much to our "sigh of relief" reviews have been favourable. We even just heard BURRN MAG, from JAPAN, just came out with our interview and got a big FAT 84% so I'm thrilled from the acceptance!
8. The current Dakota line-up features your son, Eli, how is that working out ?
Jerry's reply:
#8 Eli I can write a book about- what can I say---- he's my son, my partner in crime, and my best friend in the world! Even if he wasn't as talented, as grounded and focused as he is I might add-I'd still love him to death! As a parent, if I were to write a script of how i wanted my son to grow up right now, I couldn't have said it better-he has completely amazed me! Oh yes, by the way, ladies- a perfect GENTLEMAN! He's a great musician, easy to work with, and also well respected by Rick and Jon as well as all his peers. He's (as you can tell) working out just fine!
9. Rick has recorded one solo album, and he is in the process of recording another one (?). Have you any plans to record some material on your own ?
10. Talking of side projects, I notice that you and Rick are involved in the Josette album to be released later in the year. What can we expect from that album ? Also, MERE MORTALS ?
Jerry's reply:
#9Yes, Rick (as we speak) is finishing up his 2nd solo lp and should be out soon.(and working on a distribution deal.) As for me ? Possibility, maybe-but right now I have to concentrate on writing new DAKOTA material. One of my production projects just came out on Escape- JOSETTE very good female singer (Heart/Pat Benetar-ish). We did it on a "shoestring budget", but I think it came out great! Eli played drums Jon GTRS I played bass as well, and Rick co-engineered and did some pre-pro on the record (by the way we did this simultaneously while recording the DAK project!
Busy spring/summer don't you think?) Also in Aug, when finished with DAK and JOSETTE, I started producing a very good American band called the MERE MORTALS, of which you will be hearing shortly-- 80% finished.( by the way also the last 6 weeks of the DAK-JOSETTE I was in pre-production with the MORTALS. I guess I'll sleep only when they put dirt on my head! I just looked at the questions and have already gotten into no 10#
Rick's reply:
10# Jerry's producing both those projects-The funny thing is, back when Jerry and I decided to do different things, the band and I produced their 1st Mere Mortals LP. Now they're working with Jerry! It's a funny business sometimes!
11. Finally, what are Dakota planning for 1998? New album?
Jerry's reply:
#11 Yes your only as good (or, I guess, "as bad" as your last project) We are compiling data as we speak about direction and songs for the new CD. This, I know, will be bigger badder and balls-ier Still VERY DAKOTA. I'm not confined to what my 2nd guesses are about the things I tried to address on "Last Standing Man" and we're just going to let it fly! Sounds very exciting doesn't it? I CAN'T WAIT! ELI gets home from college early June, but we may lay some tracks down. The end of March he'll be home for a week. For now we've been exchanging musical ideas, and the rest is the next chapter for DAKOTA--- we'll just have wait and see!!!
All that's left for me to say is a HUGE thank-you to Jerry & Rick for taking time out of their busy schedule to answer my questions. Plus a thank-you to Jon & Eli for their contributions to an album that has provided me with a great deal of enjoyable listening over the past couple of months.
Jon Lorance 
Eli Hludzik
