Cameron Williams talks about the wild ride of one of the hardest working bands around.

Honest Tune[HT]: Cameron, congratulations on your first European Tour. What do you think this means in terms of a milestone for Tishamingo?

Cameron Williams[CW]: I think it is a huge milestone for Tishamingo. We have proved that we can leave not only the southeast, but the country and share our music internationally. We weren't sure how folks in Italy, Austria, and Switzerlandwould respond to us and it was all very positive. I feel like this will be an annual trip for us and something that we have to look forward to on the tour schedule every year.

You work so hard touring and touring and sometimes you wonder "what the hell are we doing?" and "are we making any headway?" then something like this last tour comes up and there's your answer!

[HT]: How were you received by the European crowds? How are they different than US audiences?

[CW]: The response was very good. Folks who came to our shows had done their homework for the most part. A lot of the crowd we found had been around in the '70s and loved the music that has come out of this area such as The Allmans, Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker. They were very enthusiastic about the blues, which helped us out since we are very much steeped in the blues.

After every show there were a handful of folks who wanted to come and share their experiences of seeing Duane Allman play, or seeing Skynyrd when they toured Europeback in the day. It was great to hear Italian folks talking with such passion about music that we are passionate about.

The audiences were very respectful. There would be a few dancers, but for the most part folks would be seated before the show started. We would play the song and they would really watch and listen. After the song they would clap and then quiet back down for the next song. Not every show was like this, but a majority of them were. It was strange at first, but once you realized how intently folks were listening and paying attention it was great to know that you were playing for people who really care and love music.

[HT]: They love the blues and roots over there- did you tailor your setlists to fit that trend? Did you introduce any new songs?

[CW]: We did a little bit, but not too much. One thing we did do that we do differently there is we played many of the same songs on different nights. We were really showcased on this tour so we were only given about an hour to an hour and a half each night. When you only have this much time to work with, and you are playing to folks that have never heard you before you don't want to play a 30-minute "Funnel Cake."

We wanted to play our originals from the albums to showcase the band and give folks a bunch of songs that they would hear or have heard from our CDs. We didn't do the same exact set or anything, but we wanted folks to hear our best songs. It was really a whirlwind tour. We didn't even get to play 30 minutes at the Pistoia Blues Festival so we said lets give 'em one that I sing ("Whiskey State of Mind"), one that Jess sings ("Wastin' Time"), one from the first album ("Tradition"), and a brand new one ("Get On Back").

We didn't introduce any new tunes but we did play "Get On Back" and "Are We Rollin" a good bit to get those ready for the next album. I want to start playing "Paint My Masterpiece" by Dylan. We didn't even go to Rome, but I couldn't get that song out of my head the whole time that we were over there.

[HT]:: What was the best show that you played over there?

[CW]: Knowing us I am sure that if you asked each band member they would give you a different answer, but I thought that as a band the best show that we played was the make-up show that we did at Idroscalo just outside of Milan. We were really playing together as a band and it was a great stage with a great sound system. We opened for a pretty famous Italian comedian so there were a ton of folks there and they were very into the music. We also had Fabio Treves from the Trevesblues band sit in with us on harmonica. We like to have folks like that sit in. It almost relaxes the band more and makes us listen better when we have a guest on the stage. I think as a band that was our best show of the tour. I do want to say though that I thought each show we played over there had its high points.

[HT]: Tishamingo has played with some of the best bands in the country -North MississippiAllstars, Drive-By Truckers, Stockholm Syndrome, Galactic- what are some of your memories from those shows?

[CW]: We love playing with such great musicians, and it seems that lately we have been playing more and more with bands who we admire and look up to. Galactic has especially helped us out and I would say that doing the Tipitina's show with them for Lundi Gras is a memory that...well...I don't remember too much of it so it must have been pretty fun.

We ran into Johnny Neel over in Italyat the Pistoia Blues Festival and it is funny because we had just done a few shows with Grease Factor before we left for Italy. Johnny is one of the funniest people I know. It is always great to hear him play too!

[HT]: Fresh from Europe, y'all are heading up to NYC for the first time. You are known for busting out some inspired cover choices-- any surprises for the Big Apple? What are you expecting from the folks up there?

[CW]: We are hoping for a few surprises with the amount of talent that you have in New York. We will have to wait and see though. I will say this, we have had a great energy ever since we got back from Italyand that is coming through right now in the playing.

[HT]: This fall, Tishamingo will play with Gov't Mule and The Black Crowes, how do you feel about breaking into those fanbases and audiences?

[CW]: Hell...I'm excited to see the shows! I am a huge Crowes and Mule fan and the fact that we get to play with them is very exciting. Both bands have done a ton for Rock n Roll music and that is what we are trying to do to, so it feels good to be playing with such influences. As far as breaking in to their fanbases...that is for their fans to decide.

[HT]: Tishamingo's first record was produced by John Keane (Widespread Panic), the second (Wear 'n Tear) was produced by Dave Barbe (Son Volt, the Drive-By Truckers) - both extraordinary talents. How was each experience different?

[CW]: Man. This could be a whole other interview. Let me just say that both were great and unique experiences. I hope to get to work with both of them again in the future. I did think that on Wear n' Tear that it was really cool that they both got their hands on that album.

[HT]: Tishamingo is approaching a four year anniversary, how do you feel about the ride, your progress, and your future?

[CW]: It has not been easy and I am glad because I feel like we have earned every break that we are getting. We have worked hard and come a long way from living on a farm in Watkinsville, GA and practicing every day to a non-stop tour schedule that is now taking us to Europe. Lately it feels like a lot of the hard work is paying off. We have a long, long way to go, but at least we are now breaking out of the southeast and sharing our music with a larger audience.

[HT]: Tishamingo has the toughest gig of their career coming up- singing the national anthem at the AtlantaBraves game on August 19. Are you nervous?

[CW]: YUP...and who exactly is Hosea anyway?

Tishamingo played the Tribeca Rock Club in NYC on Friday August 5. West Coasters can see Tishamingo at the Mammoth Mojo Festival in Mammoth Lakes, CA on August 27.