Chart Beat Podcast: Timothy B. Schmit on New Album 'Leap of Faith' & the Future of the Eagles
The voice behind the Eagles' classic "I Can't Tell You Why" & more chats about his new set and what might, or might not, lie ahead for the iconic band following the passing of Glenn Frey.
"One song I'm pretty partial to is 'All Those Faces,' " Timothy B. Schmit says of one of the standout tracks on his new album, Leap of Faith, released Sept. 23. A key reason for the song's appeal? "My oldest daughter, Jeddrah, sang all the harmonies on it. And, I did not do that because she's my daughter; she's got a really good voice."
When recording the song, Schmit says, "We both were smiling at each other. Like, 'Yeah, this sounds so good.' "
Schmit joined Billboard Chart Beat Podcast host, and Billboard co-director of charts, Gary Trust, on the morning of the new album's release in Nashville during the Americana Music Association's AmericanaFest to discuss the new set, which blends rock, country and melodic pop, all trademarks of Schmit's legendary career as a soloist, with Poco and, most famously, with the Eagles.
"I always knew what my place was in that band," Schmit says of the Eagles, whom he joined in 1977 following the group's Hotel California tour; his co-write "I Can't Tell You Why," featuring his lead vocals, stands as the Eagles' final Billboard Hot 100 top 10, having reached No. 8 in 1980. "I knew that they knew what they were doing; I knew that I would do a good job, and, obviously, they thought so, too. I didn't feel nervous about anything.
"I was really fortunate. I got into a good thing."
Schmit also offers his thoughts on the future of the Eagles, and whether he, Don Henley and Joe Walsh will perform under that iconic billing again following the passing earlier this year of co-founding member Glenn Frey. Henley has just announced that the band could perform with Frey's son Deacon in his father's place. The take straight from Schmit? Listen to find out.
A sampling of previous episodes with host Gary Trust:
Chart Historian Joel Whitburn / Fall Preview With ABC Radio's Andrea Dresdale / Debbie Gibson / Hit Songs Deconstructed on The Chainsmokers & Meghan Trainor / Lionel Richie on "Endless Love" (hosted by Trevor Anderson) / Chubby Checker on the Hot 100's All-Time No. 1, "The Twist" / Perez Hilton / Dave Cobb & Jed Hill on Americana Music (hosted by Jim Asker) / Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn / RCA's Joe Riccitelli on Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake
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