Lionel: Wow! Calling you John seems so strange to me. I’m so use to calling you “Noodle” but then one day it occurred to me, that I didn’t know why I called you that, other than it being a nickname. So…where did you get the name Noodle?
John: It’s kinda’ odd to hear the name John coming from you as well. I got the name as a baby because my parents couldn’t get me to eat much, and I guess they tried everything but the only thing I would eat for a long time were these little cans of noodles that you had to heat up; thus the name.
Lionel: Okay, now I know. John, your interest seems…you are so right, I can’t keep this up. Noodle, your interest seems to be definitely the bass guitar, and you are very good at your craft, but before we discuss all things “bass” was there a time, in your life, that you had more interest or actually devoted more time to another instrument?
Noodle: I took drum lessons for about a year, but I didn’t have a set of my own so although I liked it, I lost interest over time. But I credit those lessons for giving me a knowledge base of a drummer’s rhythmic concepts and my own development of timing and cadence.
Lionel: When I first met you, you were playing bass with the band Too Much Too Soon. The name of the band alone spoke volumes. You guys were really too much too soon and the musicianship was unbelievably great. Several members from that band went on to do some heavy things musically. Although the focus here is on you, could you briefly tell us what the members from that group are doing now and do you guys stay in contact?
Noodle: Evan Rogers (Vocals) and Carl Sturken (Guitar) founded “Syndicated Rhythm Productions” 14 years ago, and have turned it, literally, into a multi – million dollar enterprise. They go all the way back to “Shannon” with the hit “Let The Music Play”, and all the way up to today with the Bajan sensation Rihanna with her multiple platinum album debut. I have had the pleasure over the years to play bass on 95% of all their songs that have bass on them. David Nevin, my brother has a killer band out in San Diego where he’s been for the last 20 years. Kevin cloud is currently living in L.A. producing various artists and working as a studio and T.V. late night musician. Unfortunately we lost Keith Cloud 10 years ago (Kevin’s brother and keyboardist) and he has been sorely missed.
Lionel: Didn’t Dwain Mitchell, who played with the Sugarhill Gang, and produced songs on the O’Jays “Emotionally Yours” CD, also play with you guys for awhile?
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Noodle: Yeah, Dwain was a great guy, talented and funny. We played a thousand gigs together over the years. We were all shocked and saddened by his death. Dwain was a “Naturally” talented musician, who worked hard and that’s high praise. He used to always say “Playing music is an attitude”. I agree wholeheartedly.
Lionel: I know that you are involved with several projects. Can you talk about some of the recording and performing projects that you have been associated with?
Noodle: In April I completed work on Rihanna’s new album slated for release sometime in the fall, 2006.I also have been working on a few personal projects with local artists that I will be introducing to the Def Jam family through Syndicated Rhythm Productions. One is a rapper known as Julius Ceazar along with a crew known as Sure Shots. I’m also working with 3 female singers known as OTH or, “Out of the Hartbeat”. Both of these acts are very talented and I’m looking forward to introducing them to SRP. I also got to play on 10 songs live in the studio with Steve Jordan on the 2004 American Idol cast album. It was great to actually play "Live" again (Like the Old Days) with a top notch drummer instead of a drum machine.
Lionel: Impressive! In your music resume, you mentioned several artists that were associated with American Idol including Ruben Studdard. Was there an association with American Idol in addition to working with Ruben or Steve Jordan?
Noodle: Not really. I meant that I played on Ruben’s first solo album for Clive Davis on Arista Records as a result of his winning Idol 2, and Steve on the AI (American Idol) album as well as one or two other things, but that was simply a matter of me being hired to do those particular sessions, although I would love to work with Steve again.
Lionel: There was a time when all musicians, including vocalists, would be huddled in one room in a recording studio and record songs in one or two takes. Then we started single tracking, which meant that you could play on a record without even meeting the other players. Now with today’s technology and artist’s schedules, it is not unheard of for recording sessions to be simultaneously done from two totally different locations. Have you had the opportunity to be involved with any interesting sessions like that?
Noodle: Yeah, on more than one. But the most recent was for Fantasia on the American Idol gig. Evan Rogers was basically conducting a new ending to “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” on the phone mind you , while we, in NewYork, were playing the idea in time to what we were hearing over the conference link.. It was interesting to be sure. It wasn’t the first time, but there was more pressure due to time constraints, as well as the fact that American Idol is huge and much anticipated.
Lionel: I can still remember when you came to the studio to cut the bass track on a Touch project. You nailed it in one take and your playing and tone were so clean. You used your Tobias right?
Noodle: Yeah, My “Toby” is a 5 string “Signature” series neck through beauty. (The neck, consisting of one piece, runs the entire length of the bass.) It’s Bird’s Eye Maple and Cherry with a built in 2 stage parametric tone control. Along with a separate “Bass” control all in a copper lined cavity for the ultimate in quiet smooth response and tone. I love it. I have played a million basses in my day as most musicians have, but my Tobias is hands down the most versatile, quiet, responsive, and beautifully toned bass I have ever owned. It also is as good live as it is in the studio, and that ain’t easy folks.
Lionel: What is your current bass / rig set up?
Noodle: I currently run all Hartke gear. A 3500 amp and a 4 – 10 transporter cabinet. I only use 1 effect for bass, my whirlwind cable.
Lionel: And strings?
Noodle: Basically, GHS Boomers or any comparable “Round Wound” med. gauge long scale strings. DR Highbeams are another really good choice. But personal taste is most important.
Lionel: Let’s leave the technical stuff alone for a minute. I went into my CD collection and pulled out a CD with six musicians on the front, uummm! The guy on the left looks just like you. Rhythm Syndicate. I remember Evan Rogers, Kevin Cloud and Carl Sturken from seeing the band Too Much Too Soon perform in Hartford and we also spent time together in Barbados as part of the Black Student Union Cultural Exchange Program. You guys were very popular there at that time.
Noodle: Rhythm Syndicate was a dream and a fantasy come true all at the same time. I mention that because Too Much Too Soon and Rhythm Syndicate were basically the same band. TMTS from high school, and the Syndicate in the early to mid 90’s. Barbados is a place dear to all the guys as you well know. We had a wonderful time there and were treated wonderfully. And although we were a top 40 band at the time, we became known there for our own music. They actually liked our original songs better than the top 40.
Lionel: Speaking of Barbados, right now Rihanna is really hot. Can you expand on your role or involvement with her music?
Noodle: Yes, The girl is hot to death right now. I played on a song entitled “Who Ya’ Gonna Run To?” It is on the international version of Rihanna's new CD, (Japanese release) My daughter’s gonna get a lot of platinum for her bedroom wall on this one.
Lionel: Who are some of the other artists that you have had the opportunity to work or record with?
Noodle: Although the discology speaks for it’s self, over the years there were hundreds of sessions and experiences that don’t really show up on any lists. Time and space don’t allow for an indepth look, but I go from before Evelyn “Champagne” king right up to Rihanna with MTV, Arsenio Hall, 2 headline appearances at the Apollo, Radio City Music Hall, it goes on. And many of these things are personal as far as their importance. Many small things that only I remember have had a huge impact on me as well.
Lionel: Well you certainly don’t toot your own horn or bass as the case may be, but it is obvious that you are behind the scenes and working hard. I am glad I got the opportunity to speak to you about your music career and wish you much success in the future. I would like to give you the last word, so, is there any one you would like to mention or thank?
Noodle: I'd like to thank my Mother Mary, who bought me a $76.00 bass and added love and encouragement when I was 16 years old, and also my daughter Chelsea Rebecca who provides my inspiration.
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John “Noodle” Nevin
Instrument: Bass: Tobias 5 string
Associated with: Syndicated Rhythm Productions
Heard on:
Rihanna Def Jam Records
Who Ya' Gonna Run To? 2006
American Idol 3 
RCA Records
Betcha By Golly, Wow
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
If You Don't Know Me By Now
Me and Mrs. Jones
You Are Everything
You Make me Feel Brand New 04/25/2004
All American Idol Tracks Played Live w/ Steve Jordan.
Ruben Studdard J Records
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
For All We Know 12/09/2003
Emma Bunton Virgin
A Girl Like Me 04/16/2001
AnastaciaEpic
Baptize My Soul (B-side of 1st single) 03/27/2001
BoyzonePolydor
All That I Need (#1 UK)
One Kiss at a Time
This Is Where I Belong 05/20/1998
Tasha Holiday MCA
So Real, So Right 03/25/1997
Debbie GibsonAtlantic
Shock Your Mama
Losin' Myself
Love or Money 1992
Rhythm Syndicate MCA
Just For the Sex
I Wanna Make Love To You
Can I Get Naked With You
Never Never Girl
Little Pussycat
Sexitivity
All You Non-Believers
Forever in Love
Lving on the Front Line
Tracy and Paul
Somebody Call a Doctor Summer 1992
Donny Osmond Capitol
My Love Is a Fire (#12 Hot 100)
Eyes Don't Lie
Never Too Late for Love
Love Will Surivive 1990
Evan Rogers Capitol
Every Beat of My Heart
In the Name of Love 1989
Me'lisa Morgan Capitol
Here Comes the Night (#12 R&B) 1987
Evelyn 'Champagne' King EMI
When Your Heart Says Yes 1987
Gavin ChristopherEMI/Manhattan
One Step Closer to You (#14 Hot 100)
Love Is Knocking at My Door 1986
Jennifer Holiday Geffen
Just a Matter of Time 1986
Brenda K. Starr Atlantic
Your the One For Me
I Can Love You Better 1986
Evan Rogers RCA
Hold On
Don't Jump to Conclusions
I'll Break the Rules For You 1985
By Lionel Crawford Used by permission. All Rights Reserved
