Chuck Shute Podcast

Donnie Vie (ex Enuff Z'Nuff singer)

October 26, 2021 Donnie Vie Season 3 Episode 191
Chuck Shute Podcast
Donnie Vie (ex Enuff Z'Nuff singer)
Show Notes Transcript

Episode 191 - Donnie Vie, ex singer of Enuff Z'Nuff! This will mark Donnie's third time on the show.  Check out the previous episodes (#5 and #43) to hear more about Donnie's past and history.  In this episode he brings us up to speed on his long awaited new single "Party Time" as well as his collaboration with Howard Stern, and his new flash drive box set.  We also talk about the future of him doing live shows as a solo artist and as Enuff Z'Nuff.  

00:00 - Intro
02:52 - Party Time Song
05:34 - Licensing the Song 
07:10 - Party Time Music Video & Guests
09:58 - Howard Stern Collaboration 
11:34 - Flashdrive Box Set Laminate 
13:06 - Spotify & Music Licensing 
15:10 - Old Music & Bootlegged Music 
17:33 - Releasing Singles & Future Plans 
20:25 - Live Shows & Solo Band
22:35 - Enuff Z'Nuff & Chip 
26:30 - Live Shows & Residency 
28:22 - Dealing with Anxiety 
32:31 - Musical Collaborations 
36:10 - TV Shows & Decompressing 
37:10 - Finding Peace & Anxiety 
40:05 - Politics & Mental Health
43:10 - Wrap Up 

Donnie Vie website:
http://www.donnievie.com

NAMI (Mental Health charity) website:
https://nami.org/Home

Chuck Shute website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

Chuck Shute:

All right, Donnie V back in the house. So this is fun for me. Not only because I'm a huge enough's enough fan, and if you can tell from the video in the morning the shirt, that's enough, and also a huge Donnie V fan. But also Donnie V was one of the first guests that I ever interviewed for my podcast if you go back and listen, he's number five. My fifth episode pretty crazy. I was really nervous, very scared to interview a rockstar and, and then he came back on the show for episode number 43. So both of those episodes, we covered a lot of his history, and background and how he came to, you know, join enough's enough. And all that good stuff is in those two old episodes. So if you want to learn some more history about Donnie V, check those episodes out on YouTube, or audio. And today is gonna be the first time that he does actual video with me. So that's a lot of fun. And he's here to promote his new flash drive music and video box, that thing, it's really cool how instead of just having like a plain old box that it's actually a laminate, and then it's got the flash drive in it. It's got tons of hours of music, and videos and all sorts of cool stuff. And also, it is a laminate that you can use to go backstage, it's a lifetime pass is what I understand. So that's kind of a good deal. I think it's $115 or something like that. It sounds like a really good deal. Just the lifetime backstage pass sounds like a bargain to me. He's also got a new song out called party time that I've been hearing about for years. And so I'm glad that song is finally out in the video. And so he's here to talk about that. And also talk about the Howard Stern collaboration that he had. That's pretty exciting. And we talked about his anxiety and some of the emotions that he's been going through and how he deals with that. We talked about his favorite TV shows, and much much more. So enjoy this episode. Before we get to the episode, though, if you could do me a quick favor, and just hit Subscribe on that YouTube channel. If you're listening on YouTube, hit subscribe button hit the like button that will help me out if you're listening on Spotify or whatever. I think you can also subscribe or follow or something like that. So if you do those things, I'd appreciate it and don't have us come right up. Welcome to the show. Donnie V. Third time. I don't know if you remember the first two times you do so many interviews. You probably mix them up sometimes. Right?

Donnie Vie:

I remember that one so clearly and vividly. Really? If you believe me, I believe Okay,

Chuck Shute:

sure. Let's take I won't go with that. Well, it's fun for me anyways, especially early on in my podcasting career. I think you're like You're like one of the first five or 10 episodes I did so I was definitely nervous and I'm a little more comfortable because I've talked to twice before so

Donnie Vie:

yeah, yeah, I'm starting it's starting to come back to me. Yeah, yeah. So let's

Chuck Shute:

bring everyone up see we've already gone over your whole history in the first two episodes. So what's going on right now is the party time and I was so I've been waiting for the song for like two years because you've been talking about it for a while right? And I get I didn't realize it's actually a song that you've had for 20 years that's been lying around you just didn't know what the lyrics were

Donnie Vie:

well, I only had like the chorus I had the chorus melody of it for 20 years it's but I didn't know what it would be called I didn't have any of the verses I didn't have the riff I didn't have any of that shit and just there's a lot of songs that will bits are here and there and they you know they'll dig them back out sometimes if I all of a sudden I hear something that can go to that song you know I mean because if it's if I'm struggling with it I have plenty more so there's no reason to sit there and struggle with it and I put it back in the pile you know and then later on something when it's supposed to come it comes you know I mean until it did and here it is finally and then a couple years to release it and it's because all this crazy madness going on around here and and the price apologize I was sweating a little bit we had a big storm last night and my fucking the other side of my room and studios a lake

Chuck Shute:

Oh shit.

Donnie Vie:

That's not good. Trying to vacuum that shit up with carpet shampoo or but

Chuck Shute:

okay, so yeah, so party time so you at one point you're gonna call it exercise like you had all these different ideas. How would the exercise Oh, how would that have even gone?

Donnie Vie:

I would have I was thinking of calling that for about five minutes okay, and I thought to myself daddy V exercise when am I fucking retarded exercise because it was like ecstasy or okay drug ecstasy or you know I mean but so I knew that after those two were definitely no good so I put it back you file in house and party time came out I'm like that's it that's it party time then the whole rest of it just wrote itself

Chuck Shute:

so explain that though. Because obviously you don't do drugs anymore. So is it like partying? A different kind of party like more like kids party or could be any kind of party I guess right?

Donnie Vie:

You can party any any any way you party? You know, I mean, some people party with checks some people party with drugs, some people party with alcohol, some people party We'd somebody people party with it. I used to party with all of the above, you know, I mean, but a party is a party and it's it's starting to loosen up a little bit. And if you know, everybody can just get it together and get on the same page, we can get this thing in the rearview mirror somewhat, you know what I mean? And so it's time it's time to lighten up a little bit. Let's have a party you know, the holidays are common and, and, you know, in the video is really entertaining and it's fun and funny. And I hope everybody likes it. And so far it's doing so

Chuck Shute:

well. Yeah, I love it. It's great song, love the video, and you're thinking about trying to license the song for like a commercial or something like that you even like your idea of making it potty time for like, a kid's like diapers or something that's smart.

Donnie Vie:

So you're not only an interviewer you watch these things. Oh, yeah, yeah,

Chuck Shute:

I need to learn. I know, I don't want to repeat everything. But I thought those things were really interesting.

Donnie Vie:

I think potty times genius. You know, the little cartoon toilet, it's potty time. Dent that then, yeah, little kids, little kids would remember that. And, you know, what's more important than learning how to use the potty?

Chuck Shute:

Right? So how do you how does that work? Do you have somebody like a manager or somebody that's like, trying to get it licensed and pitching it for these commercials? Or how does that work?

Donnie Vie:

I have a promotional promotional guy right now who's saying Michael Granville. And he's bringing in a lot of ideas and stuff, and he's got some other ideas, but the first step is they have to get it out and start getting a little reaction, a little bit of buzz from it and stuff. And then we can go to go to some agencies and stuff. And I might have to hire a different guy that does that. You know, I mean, but okay, the, the, the flash drive is, it's helping support the funding of things like that, you know, I mean, because I've poured a lot of money into the, into what I do throughout the years, you know, I mean, haven't made a whole lot out of it. And but, you know, I have all my own stuff. I bought all my records back and everything and so I can, you know, release on nice package little package now that, that I put out.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, that's that's a that's super cool. But going back to the party, the party time video, we talked about cost. I mean, that thing must cost a lot like did that guy just how did you pay for that? Because it's very high quality production.

Donnie Vie:

I paid him in compliments. Now he's an old friend or very close friend and he he just came back into my life not long ago, and and he just, he's doing a limousine company. Now he's been making movies and commercials and stuff like that. So he's got awesome national stuff. And he he also does promotional manager for private auto, auto collection, auto museum. And there was the that's where the the soundstage was we used the soundstage there and that's where the Batmobile and everything was at and so we just started one thing started and led to another and before you know it, some just shelved Batman, you know, and he got a whole cast of characters.

Chuck Shute:

Was that a dream for because I was a huge fan of the old Batman series as a kid I watched that were you a big fan of that when you were a kid? There

Donnie Vie:

was only a few shows to watch when we were kids you know yeah and a few few channels and I mean when I was a kid you were you were a drink that your father's bar I mean you're drinking the bar and so back then then we had like the Brady Bunch The Partridge Family Batman shit like the Speed Racer and shit like that and there wasn't a hell of a lot of his selection but everybody everybody's dream is as though one day play a superhero or be a superhero and you know I've spent my life at night you know putting on the cave and fighting crime but now I get to do it in a video.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no, it's really cool. I love the song and then you said you had the guy from jellyfish he plays him on which which guy from jellyfish

Donnie Vie:

yeah he Roger Manning Jr. Okay Roger okay so Manning Jr. He was a I've always loved jellyfish. I always thought they were Yeah, me too. And but you know, it was a different whole different style than enough's enough but we were sort of you would hear our name and their name in the same breath a lot often you know, I mean, it's because the melodies and stuff like that and fortunately on the beautiful things record I I had someone the drummer in the played on most of the record was currently working with him in back or Morrissey or something band live band and he hooked me up with him. So you know Roger played on the beautiful things record froze up on I'd say the world now he's you know, I read cut I read cut this song after I made the videos I didn't think that the song held up anymore to the video so I cut it and got chips Enough playing bass on it. I got Roger playing all the horns and orchestration I cut all my parts and like Phil, of course to mix it and it came out really, really well.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, I love it. And then the other thing that's happened since we last talked was a Howard Stern has mentioned you several times and then you guys This collaboration of sorts where you like read did his song bang o'clock. Tell people about that? That's really fun. Yeah,

Donnie Vie:

they, they sent that to me and asked if I would like to do a rendition of it, you know, it was a pretty simple, basic, inappropriate kind of, you know, I mean, a little little ditty that, like, I have a whole bunch of those on a record called guilt and shame, right on that I'm no stranger to that kind of stuff. And I could see the humor and everything in it already. But when I went to go sing it, another part kept coming to me like a chorus, it didn't have a chorus, and this chorus just kept coming to my mind, and I figured fuck it, you know, I'm just gonna throw the chorus in there. They told me no pressure or anything like that. And so, when he did it, it kind of turned into a really cool pop song, you know?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no, it's catchy. I like it. So and he liked it too, obviously talked about now when he mentions your name on air, does that do you get you notice like a bump in in listens or followers or anything like that?

Donnie Vie:

You don't see like, in the old days when enough's enough first came out, and he started helping have an Asana break, and we could see a spike in like, every time we were on, like a spike in 20,000 sales. You know, I mean, just from being on his show, we could see that nowadays, it's not like that anymore. There's, you don't have record sales. Yeah, shit like that, you know, I mean, but his exposure and word of mouth. And if he says it enough, you know, I mean, people get curious. And if there's something for them to hear thing for them to watch and direct it over to my website. They'll see what's going on over here. And if you like one thing I did, you're gonna love all the things I did.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. So then let's go back to that you had the laminate so this is a thing where it's all your solo records on a flash drive that's within the laminate. That's so cool.

Donnie Vie:

That part. Yes, flash drive. Also, the extra incentive for getting this is is this is going to be VIP and meet and greet and all that stuff for upcoming shows. Yeah, and you can't download this for free.

Chuck Shute:

So it's all the music, it's a flash drive. It's a laminate, that's a meet and greet. And then also isn't there a 15 minute zoom call included as well?

Donnie Vie:

That was on the pre sales Oh, and on the pre sales which the actual sales started like Friday Okay, your Saturday and the pre sales got that because you need I needed to pull in some funding at first to to pay for all that making these and doing it all myself and my little team were doing this ourselves Yeah, for promotion and everything and, and we took care of that and take care of pay in the promotional guy. And you know, I got a lot more pre sales than I thought I was going to do. So I'm going to be zoom calling for the next three, four years. How

Chuck Shute:

seriously Can you say how many zoom calls you're signed up for?

Donnie Vie:

Now? I'm not saying but it's a lot it's 15 minutes apiece, it's it's quite a while that's gonna add up to three weeks if I nonstop did zoom calls. Wow. I've been told not to not to disclose a few things information, you know, but No, sure. I did. I was very surprised and but I'm also very glad that this thing is just on regular sale now. You know, I

Chuck Shute:

mean, yeah, that's great. So beautiful things this is you said this was the first time you felt really like unhandcuff Like you were able to make a record the way that you wanted to so why Why isn't beautiful things on Spotify though, because I feel like that's how you kind of have to grow the bands now with getting on those Spotify playlist.

Donnie Vie:

Well, like I said, you know, we did that, that licensing deal with for all the enough's enough catalog and with Cleopatra records, and there was a little chunk of money so I took my money and I went around and bought my records back from these shitty labels that aren't there out of print. People are selling my shit on up eBay for a couple 100 bucks and stuff and I'm like that's ridiculous and and, but add included beautiful things because I had to hold up the video for party time again. And my contract was up after beautiful things, but I did a separate deal with party time, but I didn't have a contract for it. And so when I pulled that they pulled that from them and everything. They pulled everything down from Spotify and everything like that. So it's all going back up. No.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, it is gonna go back up. Yeah. Okay, so it was up and then they pulled it

Donnie Vie:

out. It'll be sailed to the record will be Yeah, they pulled it all down. It's they're the ones that put it up. Okay, give me and you know, different things to iTunes all this stuff. They the ones that put those up, okay, pull them pull them all down, you know, they'll show me and so like I said bit by bit, we're getting it all back up there and I'm like the records out of print and stuff. They'll all be individually for sale as well through the time to come but I just figure you know, get this Yeah, thing to get. It's got everything on it and all these videos like 50 videos on it. There's a whole brand new brand new record where the material that I did here in my home studio with a with a couple of my favorite like, songs that I've done new songs that I've done on here and oh, and so yeah, I mean it's really cool man. And plus you get that and you know The VIP thing the past and everything and yeah, who so offer?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, I was just gonna ask some of the music like somebody else had it or something like, I heard you talking about the sky you he had, like demos that you had done when you were like 16? Like, how did how did he have it? But you didn't have it? Or did you have to,

Donnie Vie:

I hold no sentimental value to most things, you know, the gold records, all that martial art memorabilia, everything like that from through the years, like chip has all of that shit, you know, and he kind of also was holding on to the shit for me as well, because I never had like some permanent home. You know, I mean, I've moved around a lot. And so I just I figured everything was safe there. Well, you know, you'll learn it live and you learn, but I don't have any of my records. You know, I mean, once I'm done with a record, so last thing I want to hear anymore. And you know, I hit send and it's out there and it's yours. You know what I mean? And I'm on to the next thing. And so Laurie, what were what was answering?

Chuck Shute:

You don't I was just trying to figure out how you didn't have all this music, but somebody else did. It's not so it wasn't? Because somebody else had this stuff like demos since you were 16 It was It wasn't you or chip it? Was someone just a fan or

Donnie Vie:

it well, he doesn't have all that stuff. Yeah, it was a big fan that did his he's been bootlegger, since we come out and he bootlegs different things, okay. And he's a huge fan, too. And he's a, and he's just acquired, and when you're a bootlegger, you go and trade and then find and this and that from other people, and that, you know, there and he gave me a, I ended up getting a 500 gig hard drive was with just about everything in there's all kinds of stuff that I'd forgotten about, I never would have thought about again. And so there's a lot more stuff on there to ask to see how this goes to, to, you know, really some more things. And, of course, I didn't put the enough's enough songs on there because the run into some trouble with that, that label that knifes knobs currently with. And so I didn't want any problems with that. But, you know, I wrote all those songs, I wrote all these songs, so you can get that stuff is a whole different thing. Now, this is just my solo song. If you like if you liked enough's enough, and if you like my voice you like my songs. I've maintained that level of quality throughout the years. And right up until this day, I believe that I'm still learning and I'm still evolving. I'm still getting better.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, yeah, I love beautiful things. That's one of my favorite record. I think that year that it came out, I think that was the best record of the year. So what is the what are the plans for the future there's got to be is there gonna be a new album are you just gonna do singles like party time?

Donnie Vie:

Um, well, that's so far as the plan is singles because you, when you put something out, you release it, you do the setup, and all the press for it and everything, you're basically getting the same, all of the same amount of that on a single as you do for a whole record, a lot of songs go into the radar because they're on a record, you know, and some people only hear the single and, and they cost a lot of money to make, you know, because if you're going to do it, right, you know, you either do it right, which is going to cost a minimum of, you know, 1520 grand, and like the lat beautiful things, we went Pledge Music with that Pledge Music, of course, fucked everybody and took all the money and all the pledges that that I had raised, I'd raised, you know, twice as much as I needed. So we were okay, we're gonna pay off the expenses and everything and then towards the end of it, it was just gone and the money was gone. So my sister and myself and some other people and you know, took a couple of loans and 401 ks and shit like that and paid paid the expenses on that and plus, we also I took that, that deal with that with the last label so that I could get all of the the merch all of the product that the pledgers had paid for and pledged so that they didn't just get fucked to like most of the artists they they couldn't do anything you know, I bought I was able to buy all of the the product from that label for really cheap so I was able to you know, for costs I was able to get them all out me my sister and I and everybody we package them up ourselves guy hold it the list package them up, sent them all out and it was a lot of a man you know, and but nowadays, you know, it cost a lot of money to do it right now after beautiful things, it's a hell of a thing to follow up, you know, and so it's gonna be a minimum of that amount of money to to you know, recruit or to capture that is the sauce sauce is no problem material you know, and so yeah, right now I'm thinking for now that I can I'm getting better at my home studio stuff, you know, I'm getting better at it and, and as long as they take my time because usually if I'm making a demo, I'm not really taking my time I just want to get the ideas down and get a gist of how it goes and, and all the parts linking together, make sure all the parts are right, because if all the parts are right, it fits Gather like magic no matter who's mixing it or whatever, you know, but, but I'm getting better that that's more practical. So if I can get that together, people are satisfied with what I can do here, then I can I can make another record, I could do whatever you know, but I'm just going to do what makes sense. I'm going to follow the follow the path like I do, I must follow.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no, I love it. I love the new music. I look forward to new stuff. Now live shows. Tell me you have you put a band together. Now, tell me about the band that you have right now that you're when you do a few live shows?

Donnie Vie:

Well, I had Jesus phone. I had put a band together for one show, I was putting a looking to put a band together for for, you know, for my my band. Yeah. And, and I there was a lot of things went wrong, I got sick, the guys were there. Some of them were the wrong guys. And so I came up time for the show. And I found myself you know, just in a predicament where the show wasn't wasn't sounding really well or anything. And fortunately, it was packed and fortunately, all the fans came out and they were just happy to see me alive on stage and so yeah, over really well. It's people that that broadcast it from their phones and shit like that, which is sons of fucking bitches got to do that shit, you know, and then so other people able to watch it like that and pick it apart and stuff. And of course, I mean, it's a live show need to be there for the vibe and everything. But I'm very, very shortly we'll be putting a band together and looking for guys and getting it right, because I'm gonna, the band's got to be great. It's got to be as good as any of these records because I, you know, not even enough's enough. We never never recreated the record on stage. I want to do that from now on because I deserve it. I've worked hard enough and paid my dues. I'd sound blasted out sounding like shit lost my hearing, lost everything. And I wanted to want to sound like the fucking record. No, I mean, and so yeah, we'll be putting a band together. I'm already talking to a booking agent. Matter of fact, right after this interview, I got a flat I thought of that. I can't, I can't forget to call him again. But that's, you know, that's the plan. And in pass possibly. The other plan I have is for is for putting like an all star little All Star band together and going out and overseas in Europe and stuff like that and doing doing a quick run of my own enough's enough. You know, what some happening catches it cuz

Chuck Shute:

you you own the name for Europe. So you can tour Europe as enough's enough. And Japan. Oh, in Japan, and then you're popular in Japan, right? That's

Donnie Vie:

yeah, he forgot about that.

Chuck Shute:

What you bring chip, because I mean, he is your part. I mean, he's a great bass player.

Donnie Vie:

He's a greatest bass player, I, I proposed to him, went to dinner to tell him about that I had gotten, you know that he had stolen that one from me. But I went to dinner to tell him, I've got the rest of it and proposed that. If we did this, right, I would be willing to sing for the band again, and do big shows and do some good shows that mattered. But he didn't want anything to do with it. And he's just like, No, I want nothing to do with that. And so. So I mean, that's, you know, I would prefer to have been that way. But, you know, and he's talking about his guys his band and stuff, they would never go for it. I'm like, because the fuck those guys think, you know, I mean, none of those guys around one fucking record. At least, the enough's enough records that the real enough's enough, you know, I mean, which is that right now is not enough. Enough. I don't know. There's, there's enough enough songs. But that is not enough. Enough, the new records are not enough snuff that speaking from my personal opinion, as a fan, because I'm a big fan of the band as well. Now, I mean, and of course, I would have preferred it to be that way. But, but business is business, you know, I mean, if that's the, if that's the attitude, and if that's what he thinks the fans want to see, and hear, then, then, you know, I mean, God bless him, he's out, you know, he's also doing things like riding around in a van, three, four bands and a bus and shit and opening for, you know, old caulk rock bands of the 80s and stuff opening for them. And, you know, every night of the week for, you know, shit money, and I'm not into doing that, absolutely not, you know,

Chuck Shute:

so what would you want to do? Would you rather do like maybe those one off like those big festivals, or like the Monsters of Rock cruise or those kinds of things, because those are pretty well paying gigs.

Donnie Vie:

And things like that. Things like well promoted. Big shows like you could do on in Chicago, you do on on the east coast, the West Coast, you do a couple in the middle. So you're like a hub of a wheel. And you get all these coming in from here, well promoted and plenty of time, you know, so, so that people know that you're playing. So they'll then they'll be packed, you know? Yeah. And you could get good money for these shows. And you don't have to do all that other work that shitty work and, and devaluing the band in the name. No, I mean, and I wanted to bring the integrity back to the band, and the name and less shitty shows and just all good shows that make a difference because enough's enough, Jesus, you know, was a great band, it's just, besides all of the, the fucked up baggage that went along with it, you had integrity and even some of the biggest artists and that, that I've known him and, you know, have influenced me and stuff through the years, you know, really loved enough's enough to, you know, I mean, and, but when he, when he took it, like, I took all the, all the contacts and, and networking and everything with them, because I didn't foresee the day where I wouldn't be with him anymore. And, you know, when I was I was focusing on the, on the, the, the art, you know, the songwriting and production, stuff like that he was out playing the game, and he's really good at that, you know, he's, I've, I've learned to miss that. Once. I didn't have him to doing those. I see all the other things he did for the band. Oh, no, I mean, and so, you know, I'm, I've never been responsible or ever had kind of business mind enough to do those things. I mean, I probably never will. So it's just, you know, I'm needing help, I'm gonna have to, you know, get people I'll get a manager once. It's once it makes sense to have a manager, you know, because we're able to cut it right now. And, and, you know, we'll see what happens and but I got my head screwed on straight now. And so yeah, whatever I'm capable of doing.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. So you would maybe do some one off shows maybe a weekend like a casino show or something as Donnie V in the in the United States?

Donnie Vie:

Well, I'm looking at doing that's corporate gigs. I would do those as enough's enough. Okay. You know, my own shows, you know, if I happen to be a casino or something like that, pay enough money and enough fans, because casinos pay well, I thought, right? Yeah. Yeah. But they've, there's a certain thing they're looking for. They're looking to put bodies in there, you know what I mean? And, but they're also not looking to promote the hell out of anything. Okay. It's kind of a built in thing. And then there's private shows by privately funded shows, parties and stuff like, yeah, as enough's enough, I can do those. I mean, it's not conflicting with what the fuck he's out there doing, you know, and of course, across the seas, but that's not where my focus is. It's not on enough's enough anymore. That was, that was the first part of my life and, and I've kind of outgrew that. And I started out growing that very early and in the band, you know, as I did, we, we started outgrowing each other. Right. And, and it just got to the point of where, you know, there was so many downfalls and we weren't able to we weren't able to survive it, you know?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. But so you were I mean, because one other idea would be like maybe doing some sort of like a residency or something because I know you don't really want to do the big tour and get in the van or whatever. But what when you're in Chicago, could you do like a weekly residency as I

Donnie Vie:

go, I can go out and play the shows and come home. Yeah, play other shows and come home if there's a few strung together, right, do that and come home and I don't want to be out there if it doesn't make any sense. And if there's no reason not going to be in Council Bluffs, Iowa for fucking 500 bucks. Yeah, it's not happening anymore. Right? It's just detrimental. I don't blame you. Yeah, my Morrell and

Chuck Shute:

yeah, so how is that with your anxiety and stuff? Cuz I know you've suffered with anxiety is that does it give you anxiety to do the live shows?

Donnie Vie:

It gives me anxiety to leave my studio, my room here. It's getting it's, it's, you know, I, I medicated all this. Throughout the years with enough's enough, I was heavily medicated because I went from, from this kind of life upbringing of that was not pretty, not I mean, it was very lonely and isolated. So I went from that to the lead singer of a national act. And that was really my first really, my first real band was enough's enough. And so all of a sudden, I'm in the center stage, you know, I mean, with surrounded by, you know, 1000s of people, it's sometimes at a time, you know, and yeah, I mean, it's, I really didn't understand my, my motional mental conditions earlier, and, you know, I hadn't been diagnosed and, and medicated for any of that stuff. So I kinda was white knuckling it through throughout all the years and you know, and that and then the alcohol and the drugs and everything took on a life of their own. Or, you know, I'm known as the best piece of shit in the music business and that pleasant?

Chuck Shute:

Well, I think I think there's definitely bigger

Donnie Vie:

than the rumors and stuff of what of what happened to the end. up you're breaking out you're freezing up. Yeah. Okay, there we go. You're back and freezing up here.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, I'm freezing. You were freezing up to shoot. Yeah, but So so how do you deal with that stuff now though? Because I mean, the anxiety doesn't go away, but you're not doing the drugs, which is awesome. So how did you meditate? Do you just write music is that I mean All the above,

Donnie Vie:

I can't meditate because I my mind, the way it works and all the stuff going on it, I'll never, never be able to slow the monkey down, I've worked on some things, but they're not very effective. And, and I don't know exactly how I'm going to completely deal with this, I'm working out a little bit at a time and a little bit at a time and I've gone and done some things. I was around a lot of people and it was, you know, it was a struggle, but I made it through those things. And, and you don't want to telegraph that to the people that when you're meeting them, and you're signing things and taking pictures and stuff, but hands are shaking like this and, and eyes are twitching and stuff, you know, as I wear the sunglasses, he can't see that mouth freezing and can't speak on chain smoking cigarettes. And that's that none of that is is very good. You know, so, you know, I'm just working and, and trying to get professional help for and trying to, to get treated. And I've been treated for a lot of other things. So, you know, we can work on this and coping skills and it's been like, so long since I've done it. That, yeah, it's gonna be hard at first and you know, that, uh, you know, whatever takes, I'll have to do it. Because that's, that's what it's all about is I want to see my fans, I want to see all my friends again. I want to sing my songs for them. You know what I mean? It's, that's what it's all about them. As you guys you know, I mean, it's, that's what it's all about.

Chuck Shute:

Right? Yeah. I mean, you say? Absolutely. Music is like gives your life a purpose. So I mean, doing the shows, it's got to be a piece of that.

Donnie Vie:

It's a big piece of it, man, big piece that I haven't done a long time. And it's, it's also, it turned into it became one of the only ways that artists can make money anymore off of off of their work. But now with the COVID and everything that's been affected. And I'm curious to see what what the next coping skill for that for us musicians and artists will be to, to get through this and be able to, to, you know, survive. And sure wish I was smart enough to pioneer the next thing you know, but who knows I'm busy dealing with anxiety and growing plants and recording new stuff and dealing with all kinds of other shit,

Chuck Shute:

right? Well, no, I think like, like we talked about earlier, where the party time if you can get that license for a commercial or TV show or something. I mean, that's, that's a good thing to

Donnie Vie:

NASA ticket, then I can retire. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

well, what about or what other goals you have for the future? Like, I know you're such a big Beatles fan. Have you ever tried to get a collaboration with one of the two living Beatles with either Ringo or Paul? I mean, I know Paul would be obviously a lot harder, probably. But I mean, is there is there any sort mean Howard Stern's friends with Paul McCartney, and he's a fan of you like, is there any sort of have you tried to put that together

Donnie Vie:

now and let the second record strength on the president of the our label had reached out to Paul for there was a song called time to let you go. And I wanted I could foresee a sound it was like a Beatle type Beatle song, you know, I mean, it was simple and everything I know, reached out and he just couldn't do it. Unfortunately, that time. And, and after, you know, years later, Robin Zander was like, pissed at me because I didn't ask him and it didn't even think about it. You know, I mean, I wasn't, we became good friends. And so I never thought about that. But I would be happy to, to collaborate with, with other artists, if they have something that they can offer something that that they can, you know, contribute that I wouldn't be able to, to do that on my own. You know, and there hasn't been many that I've ever worked with, and there hasn't definitely hasn't been any that really, were able to contribute something you know, like, like your page and plant your Lennon McCartney or Keith and MC and stuff like that, you know, it just never had that. That other component. I mean, I know people a lot of people will assume certain things, you know what I mean, but I've never had that I would, I would love to have explored and are still to explore and see the challenge of, of somebody that definitely a great artist so that I can do my thing to that because, you know, I have to wait for these songs to come to me in the air, write them and record them and everything and you know, it's I have to do it all myself and you get to a point where it becomes a little bit mundane, and I start to feel like alright, what haven't I done yet? Whatever, you know, it's like, you sit down to do it and that exuberance and euphoric feelings of creating it's still there, but it's there's a lot of a lot of it has gotten old and a lot of it has gotten beaten battered, like like I have and, and also my my business skills You know, just how do I find them? Who would they be? How do I find them? How do I get ahold of them? Would they be interested? Yeah. So so we'll see. And, yeah,

Chuck Shute:

it sounds like you do you need this manager, you need a manager to take care of all that business side. That's not your forte, you're more into the creating, and you're really good

Donnie Vie:

at that, you know, my forte, but yeah, just that's what I am all about the creative. I didn't aspire to be a rich and famous rock star, I did want to be a rock artist, you know, money, of course, was was, was part of the dream, but it wasn't. It wasn't. My aspirations, in my mind was to be an artistic kid to create something that would have effect on other people, like that stuff had on me, and, you know, and they, the fans, and they let me tell tell me all the time that it has, and, you know, I'm really blessed with the the fan base that I have, and they never failed to reach out and let me know when I'm down, or I'm feeling this net to let me know. You know, it's very much affected them and they're still with me, and, you know,

Chuck Shute:

yeah, no, it's all great stuff. So besides music, what how do you spend your time you still doing a lot of the binge watching TV shows and stuff?

Donnie Vie:

Yep, you got a couple that are a couple that are my go to my, my comfort, like comfort food only shows. Okay, Southpark Curb Your Enthusiasm. I love watching a thing called Deuce now and there's a couple other ones in, but like South Park and curb, I can watch them all I know, I can recite them all the lines and stuff, but it's still I can put that on and decompress from the day and instil enjoy it and I'm scared of the dark and sad and silence. I have a fear of that. So I need something going on while I'm sleeping stuff because it puts me back in a comfortable place like I would be when I'd be with my grandparents or something there'd be sound and noise going on a little bit of light and I was able to sleep comfortably and and I'm just not able to do that in a pitch black and in the dead silence you know, it's too hard for me and and my wake up I have nightmares and stuff. And I wake up and and sometimes I don't know where I'm at things like that, you know, but I deserve it. Because look what I've did to myself for those years. Well, I

Chuck Shute:

Gosh, that's so I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that you can find peace. I think you I think you deserve peace. I think I disagree that you deserve that. I don't think anybody deserves that. I think you deserve peace.

Donnie Vie:

Peace have something huh? Yes.

Chuck Shute:

Awesome.

Donnie Vie:

I'll settle for a record with a piece. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

no, that's I I'm excited for new music. I love people's need to get party time

Donnie Vie:

and found a lot of peace here and my late lately in my life I have Yeah, well,

Chuck Shute:

I think you're in a much better place. I think even over the last couple times, I've interviewed you You seem calmer than then other times I've talked to you, I think you are getting a little bit more peace as you get older. Do you agree?

Donnie Vie:

I have a I have a nice little family here that I live with. And they're very good to me. And they're good people. And when I come out of my bubble when I inch out of my bubble in my room here, it's like, it's a good environment. And you know, it's it's loving and stuff and I just keep my world small, surrounded by only good people, you know, and he has always bumps Charlie's bumps in everything, you know, I mean, but it's so much different than the life I've lived all the way since I was a baby you know, I mean, it's been really, really dark and cold and lonely and even around all the, in some of the closest people to me, since I was small, I've been the ones that have done the biggest damage and ones that you never would expect to to do that to you. So you never see it common you know, I mean and so like I said keep it small, you take less chances with that stuff. But then again, you're more you're more guarded and you're not you're not able to lower your shields and stuff like that as much and as well. And that of course that that causes that causes a turbulence with with what you're doing and who you're with around and stuff now you know, it means it's hard for people done first of all, nobody unless they have it understands how bad anxiety can get. You know, you never you never would understand and it gets to sound like an excuse to people and this and that but I mean it's the other day I literally blacked out the anxiety got so high and all the shaken and the eyes twitching and they were like bulging out of my head and I just heard this is my my laptop and the hash map that I interview in 20 minutes you know, I haven't even showered or anything and so hopefully I got it together and uh, but that's what I don't I'm afraid to find out what comes after that. I mean, what if it escalates anymore? I don't want out and so I'm just trying to send out me fish.

Chuck Shute:

That's good. Well, yeah, just take it one day at a time. I mean, you're doing great with the sobriety and all That's tough, and you're making great music and I'm really happy for you. I like to end each episode with a charity. I think before you mentioned the Fallen blue Are you still working with with that one?

Donnie Vie:

That was a that was a failed attempt to, to capitalize on that, you know, I figured, well, hey, the police are down right now, you know, I mean, maybe they could use a friend and get in and, and get some views through that and stuff. And it wasn't for the police. It was for the families of the surviving families of of officers and firemen killed and killed in the line of duty, which, which they're victims of stuff. And most of the police are decent people and stuff, there are those pieces of shit out there. But when I went to take when I went to I didn't it didn't occur to me that I was I was dividing my fans at that point. It's a each, we're taking a stand on different things. And I don't I don't take a political stand, right? I just believe in right and what's wrong, you know, I mean, I see a lot wrong. And so and I don't have enough knowledge on a lot of things to to really establish a point of view or pick a side but I'm on the side of the of the people and for all of us is that's beside I'm on. And I figured there's plenty of people out doing that my job is to give you paint little rainbows in the sky for you to listen to, and they will colors and stuff and stick to that. But yeah, there's some things like Black Lives Matter and the me to movement and all that stuff. It's, it's, you know, I've had, I've had a lot of similar issues like they have, you know, that So, the more knowledge I get, the more I, you know, I'm never going to, you know, mix politics and what I do, I just, it's not my job, you know, and you can influence people, you lose people and, but what one thing that I really want to bring awareness to if I can, and see what I can do is his mental and emotional disorders, you know,

Chuck Shute:

okay, yeah, I will put something in the notes for that people will have a few extra bucks after they buy your laminate, they can throw that towards mental health, that's great. I'd love that. People just that.

Donnie Vie:

I mean, our country especially, we just, just don't give any, any focus or attention to that, you know, you're hearing this and we're hearing that we're kind of hearing this but, you know, with the with the anxiety in the mental disorders that I have, I'd almost rather you know, have something else or lose something lose a part of my body, you know, before before my faculties you know, I mean, when you're done, then you can't do anything. What good are your arms legs, you know, your right hands? If you can't, if you're just fucking, you know, beating me. But, yeah, I think mental mental health awareness is is what will be best where my focus would be if, if I'm focusing on something of that nature. Okay, that anti bullying.

Chuck Shute:

That's great. I will put that in the notes. Thank you so much for doing this. And I look forward to new music. Thank you and hopefully a live show. Yeah, hopefully live show to all fly in of Chicago or wherever you're doing it. I don't care.

Donnie Vie:

Okay. Raise one up in your town. Okay.

Chuck Shute:

I'll see what I can do. You book it.

Donnie Vie:

It makes sense. I'll be there. Alright,

Chuck Shute:

sounds good. Donnie. Thanks so much.

Donnie Vie:

Thanks for thinking Amen.

Chuck Shute:

All right day by Johnny V. Formerly singer of enough's enough now solo artists great solo artist, one of the best. I love the beautiful things album. That's one of the best albums that year a couple years ago. So make sure to get the laminate flash drive. It's got all the music and the video the box set and lifetime backstage pass access. Very cool. Check out the party time music, video and single. It's a great song. Very catchy, good stuff. And make sure to follow Donnie on social media, and subscribe to his YouTube channel so you can keep up to date with what he's doing and new music he's releasing. And if you want to support my show, you can do the same for me. Follow me on social media, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and your likes, shares and comments and all that good stuff that those can help me you can help Donnie. And you can help us both out by sharing this episode. And all that stuff bumps up the posts so more people can see them and hear them and hear Danny's music and all the great stuff that he's doing. So I really appreciate your support with all these great artists and my show. And so I hope you have a great rest of your day. And remember to shoot for the moon