Peacemakers singer just another dad

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Refreshments were a great band in the 90's, lead by the distinct style of Roger Clyne. I saw this article in my hometown paper (The Refreshments are from Tempe, AZ) and thought it was a nice read on fathers.

Georgann Yara

Special for The Republic

Saying goodbye to dad is still tough when musician Roger Clyne goes on tour.

There are tears and promises to call often, but Clyne is the one wiping his eyes even long after leaving his Tempe home.

"It's easier on the kids and harder on me. They change so much, so it's difficult to be away for six weeks or months at a time. I'm the one crying when I'm on the road," said Clyne, whose hits have made his band, The Peacemakers, a crowd-pleaser from San Diego to Boston. "They're like, 'Dad, we'll be calling you every day.' They're the ones reassuring me."

Clyne and his wife, Alisa, have lived somewhat of a high-profile life for two decades since Clyne's previous band The Refreshments hit radio airwaves in the mid-'90s. Conscious of the impact it could have on their three children, the oldest now 10 and the twins 8, the Clynes put them through an exercise when they were younger.

Clyne would sit next to them on the couch and then move to the other end. He'd ask if that separation mattered, and whether they still felt his love for them. Next, he'd do the same routine but stand in the hall where he couldn't be seen and wait for a minute or two.

"We've worked on understanding that neither time nor distance can diminish the power of love. They have a firm grasp on that," Clyne said.

Clyne is an active parent, attending science fairs, junior achievement events and choir performances, and the band sponsored the kids' Little League teams. Technology lets him video chat with his kids, read them a bedtime story or check their homework from New York City or Omaha.

Clyne's lyrics remain laden with frivolity, celebrating good times on a Mexican beach with a cold cerveza in hand, but he said having children has affected his music.

"I try to create the moment I'd like to live in, my children to live in, my neighbors to live in. I create the most positive vibration I can," he said. "Not be a hollow echo, but to create a force of positivity."

A self-described homebody, Clyne said he sometimes won't leave the house for days after returning from a tour, except to ride bikes with his kids to get Mexican food or ice cream.

"It's pretty much keep my guitar handy, play with the kids in the pool and hug my wife," he said.

Raised by his parents to be unafraid to follow his dreams, Clyne credits this philosophy with his success and encourages his children to pursue their own callings.

And he doesn't mind if sometimes those callings don't include hanging out backstage with dad. Clyne said chances the kids want to go to a show are "50-50."

"They say, 'Aw, dad. I want to play a board game,' or 'I don't know, it's kind of late,' " he said. "I think it's great that they really have a good handle on all of this."

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/a...rclyne0616.html

[catzenmouse 0]

I've met Roger a couple of times after their shows and he is exactly the kind of person the article says. Genuine, warm, and real. Great music too by the way if you haven't checked out RC and the Peacemakers you should.

Ken

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I've met Roger a couple of times after their shows and he is exactly the kind of person the article says. Genuine, warm, and real. Great music too by the way if you haven't checked out RC and the Peacemakers you should.

Ken

Oh wow! That's awesome! I was still living in the Phoenix area when the Replacements were being played a lot by the local radio stations and so the music is very nostalgic for me. Roger really demonstrated a rare quality these days of having a very distinct voice and style. I haven't heard any of the Peacemakers music - I'll definitely check it out!

[catzenmouse 0]

Here's their website if you want to check them out: http://www.azpeacemakers.com/