SKF NOTE: Multi-talented musician/drummer Terri Lyne Carrington has, for the first time, given her debut album “wide release” for the first time. First released in 1981, TLC & Friends, It features the then 16-year old drummer in the company of George Coleman (tenor sax), Kenny Barron (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and her father, Sonny Carrington playing sax on one tune.

I interviewed Terri Lyne for Modern Drummer in 1982 or ’83. Her interview was published in MD’s May 1983 issue.

Sonny Carrington called me at MD back then, asking if we would include a Terri Lyne profile in the magazine. Pre-internet, none of MD‘s editors had heard TLC play. But Sonny’s stories of his daughter’s ability and career were impressive.

Here’s my 1983 intro to TLC’s MD interview, followed by that part of her interview where we talk about TLC & Friends.

May 1983 MD Introduction

The idea of the “child star” conjures up a dual image. On the one hand you have to admire the talent it took to become a star. On the other hand you tend to believe that the kid must have had “all the breaks” and led a real pampered and catered-to existence.

At 17, Terri Lyne Carrington has been playing drums for 10 years with the likes of Clark Terry, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Illinois Jacquet, Kenny Barron, Buster Williams, Oscar Peterson and more. When you’re on-stage with those musicians, you don’t just “get by.” You either play or you get blown off the stage!

Terri Lyne came into the MD office several months ago to be interviewed. She seemed cautious and I was wondering what in the world I was going to ask her. So we just let the tape roll and sipped hot coffee. We both relaxed into a very revealing, candid and educational interview. Terri Lyne is not kidding around. She knows where she’s going and she’s self-assured about getting there. I’m sure she will.

TLC on TLC & Friends from her May 1983 MD Interview

SF: How did your album come about?

TLC: We wanted a better form of publicity for me to get jobs.

It’s not as professional to send a tape to somebody. We recorded it at Jimmy Madison’s studio. Through our corporation, Carrington Enterprises, we pressed 500 copies and they’re all gone. A lot of people want the record now.

SF: Are you going to press more copies?

TLC: I don’t know. We’re waiting hopefully for a company to pick it up before that. We’re not really selling them—we’re giving most of them away. It costs a lot to press them. It was a good experience.

SF: How long did it take to record?

TLC: Three hours. No rehearsal. We went in cold, rehearsed the tunes and played them. It was three hours including rehearsal and playing. We didn’t even really rehearse it. First we’d just play a dry run. Each tune we played twice and a few tunes we only played once.

SF: Who picked the tunes?

TLC:I did.

SF: Were there charts written out?

TLC: No. Whatever little arranging there was to be done I’d do verbally. The tunes were, “What Is This Thing Called Love,” “Seven Steps To Heaven,” “La Bonita”—which is my tune—”Sunny Moon For Two,” “St. Thomas” and “Just The Way You Are.” In a way, I wish I could do it again to make it better.

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TLC & Friends is available now in digital, vinyl, and CD formats from Candid Records.

It’s a good one.