Eric on guitar, Phil on drums, Greg on keys, and me on bass, we called it“ The Heaven Band.” We had such a great time and here we are over 40 years later still having fun making music together!
[ WM ] In support of Clapton, you switch between electric bass, upright bass, and backup vocals. How do you handle all these musical duties at such a high level?
[ Nathan ] On these current tours with Eric, we perform both electric and acoustic sets. He’ s even asked me to sing lead vocals on the Blind Faith classic“ Can’ t Find My Way Home.” I studied upright bass in college and have played electric since I was 14, so switching between instruments and occasionally stepping up to sing feels very natural, especially having played and sung in club bands early in my career.
[ WM ] As one of the most recorded bass players in history, who do you feel have been some of the highlights to perform for and work with?
[ Nathan ] I feel incredibly blessed to have worked continuously since I started in this business half a century ago. There have been so many highlights … performing for the Queen, the Pope, Nelson Mandela, several U. S. presidential inaugurations, and with artists like Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Ringo Starr & George Harrison, Kenny Loggins, Herbie Hancock, Joe Walsh, Al Jarreau, Shania Twain, Babyface, Toto, and of course my Fourplay brothers. Every one of them has been a joy to make music with.
[ WM ] You are currently on tour with your son Noah supporting your new album“ Father Son” how did this come together?
[ Nathan ] Noah was featured on both of my solo albums for Yamaha Entertainment Group. We started out playing duo versions of songs he was learning at PianoPlay, the music school where he studied. Since we’ d always jammed together at home, we thought it would be fun to see what kind of album we could produce of some of our favorite songs and that became Father Son. It has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives to create, record and perform music together.
[ WM ] Are there plans for more music and possibly another tour in 2026?
[ Nathan ] Absolutely! Noah and I are already booked as Artists in Residence at a festival in Baden-Baden, Germany next March, and we’ ve got several U. S. dates lined up as well. Eric Clapton will also hit the road again so 2026 is shaping up to be another full and exciting year.
[ WM ] On your social media you frequently share the peace with your fans and share a blessed day. And why is this so important for you to do for others?
[ Nathan ] In a world where chaos, division, and despair seem to dominate the airwaves, I enjoy offering a counterpoint to that energy with a simple message of peace and blessings.
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