When you think about it, Timothy B. Schmit has led a truly blessed existence. Which isn’t to say the veteran bassist and vocalist hasn’t pay his dues, because he most certainly has and then some. But then things started happening when he replaced Randy Meisner in Poco. And then he replaced Meisner again, this time in the Eagles. On his first Eagles album, 1979’s The Long Run, he managed to snag the lead vocal spot for “I Can’t Tell You Why,” the album’s second Top 10 single. He went on to lend his unique voice to records by Crosby, Stills & Nash and Steely Dan.
Schmit spent the 80s making solo albums, touring and collaborating with others, but he’s been the rock solid foundation on bass with the reformed Eagles since 1994. And by the looks of things, he’s not going anywhere. Of course, being in the Eagles affords you certain luxuries, one of which is making solo albums more organically and personal than to the demands of a record company who took you in after your band broke up (that happened a lot in the 80s).
These days, with the Eagles as his top priority, Schmit took on the task of piecing together his most recent solo album, 2009’s Expando, when ever time allowed. Surprisingly, the album does not have a disjointed feeling of being recorded in steps; rather, it carries a consistent, upbeat tone throughout, enough to warrant random solo tours in between Eagles commitments. The most recent, as of press time, is a three-week jaunt through the southern and eastern regions of the U.S., beginning May 18 (2012). During the following conversation with Timothy B. Schmit, we talk about the tour, Expando, the Eagles, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and Jimmy Buffett.
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