WineLife365

It’s not too often that one gets an opportunity to sit down to afternoon tapas, drink fabulous wine and hang out with a guy that once played bass guitar in front of 20,000 screaming rock fans night after night.

1,000+ empty wine bottles and 350 posts later, I find myself sitting across from a dude that played bass guitar for the 70’s supergroup Bad Company and thought – does it get any better than this?!    I grew up listening to Bad Company and playing air guitar to songs like “Can’t Get Enough,” “Rock Steady,” “Bad Company,” “Run With The Pack,” “Silver, Blue & Gold,” and so many other kickass songs;  so when Paul Cullen asked me if I’d care to join him for lunch, I said, “Hell yeah!”

Over the course of lunch, Paul and I certainly talked a lot about his time in Bad Company, but I was curious to know how he caught the wine bug, and how his love of food, music and wine has turned his world into a Sonata.

WL365:  Paul, how does a kid born and raised in Buffalo, NY go from being a sports nut, just learning to play bass guitar, make the decision to become a full-time musician?

Paul Cullen: I was always into music…I was the guy everyone looked up to for what the cool new music was. I also had mind blower speakers in home stereo cabinets in my Ford Pinto with a Pioneer Super tuner 8-track.

WL365:  Naturally Paul, all of us once-mullet-sporting, air guitar heroes wanna know:  how in the world did you land such a sweet gig with the legendary rock band Bad Company?

Paul Cullen: After 9 years of playing bass on the road, I went back to Ft. Myers, FL and started up a band called Boys of Summer, which ended up being a very popular band in the area.  Songs played on 97 Rock radio station and we eventually opened up for Molly Hatchet, REO Speedwagon and other rock bands.  The guys from AC/DC and Bad Company lived there and used to come out to see us and sit in all the time. Well, the job came up for Bad Company and Cliff Williams, the bassist for AC/DC threw my name in the hat for the job. I went to London for the audition and got the gig the same day.

WL365:  How would you sum up your experience of living and breathing the life of a rock star?

Paul Cullen: It was dream-like…Playing with my idols growing up was amazing.  Hard to imagine if you haven’t been in that position.

WL365:  Most of us envision rockers with a bottle of Jack or a 1.75 liter bottle of rum clutched in their fist on the brink of collapse.  How did you find the passageway into wine?

Paul Cullen: Mick Ralphs, guitarist for Bad Company, turned me on to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a Rhone Red from France, and I have been a huge fan ever since.

WL365:  After leaving Bad Company it seems as if your own ‘winelife,’ as well as your career in music, really evolved.  What led you to the decision to become a solo artist; and, besides your love for wine, what motivated you or gave you the courage to release your first private label wines?

Paul Cullen: Being a bassist you have to depend on everyone else for a gig, and the only thing I had to compare playing bass was when I was with Bad Company:  I needed a new outlet to rejuvenate my music career.  I have always been interested in Latin jazzy nylon string guitar. I think it comes from my parents listening to Jose Feliciano and Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 when I was young.  I figured I didn’t pick up bass until I was 20,  so I could pick up guitar when I was 46.

The private label was a combination of knowing that wine and music go hand in hand and from being successful as a wine representative for an Italian wine importer for 3 years. I figured, why sell some else’s wine when I could have my very own. I love the fact that I can make all the decisions on what I think is best for my company – other than getting my wife’s approval..ha-ha! 

WL365:  Congratulations on the release of your third solo CD, Eleven Sundays.  How did the title of the CD come about and what is the significance behind the number eleven and Sundays?

Paul Cullen:  It’s a culmination of songs I wrote on Sundays.  Eleven has been a favorite number of mine since my sports days. I always had #11. Plus, in numerology, the number 11 represents: Higher ideals, invention, refinement, congruency, balance, fulfillment and vision.

WL365:  You’re either crazy or extremely passionate about the things you love.  In addition to releasing a new solo CD, you’ve also released your first private label wines called Sonata.  Can you tell us a little bit about the wines?

Paul Cullen:  The wines come from The Sierra Foothills, east of Sacramento, CA.  Drytown Cellars is a family run vineyard that grows 14 different varietals, many from Italy.

WL365: What can people expect when they try your Sonata Bianco and Rosso?

Paul Cullen:  Balance!!

WL365:  What is your definition of “balance,” as it relates to music and wine?

Paul Cullen:  Not one thing hits you in the face…a lot of quality aspects fill your mouth and nose.  Just like my music does to your ears. Nothing obtrusive …just sexy wine sippin’ sounds.

WL365:  Do you have any favorite musical artists?  What is your all-time favorite CD? 

Paul Cullen: Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Live, David Gilmour’s On an Island, Jesse Cook and Sting.

WL365:  There’s one track from your first CD, Dreamdance with a very provocative song title that immediately caught my attention:  “Friends Don’t Kiss.”  What’s the song about?

Paul Cullen:  I knew this really cool girl for a long time and it was obvious that we were attracted to each other, but we were both in relationships.  After my relationship ended, we hooked up one night by chance.  After some passionate kisses I thought I was in. The next day she said we should just be friends and I said, “Friends Don’t Kiss like that!!”

WL365:  I’ve heard that you love to cook at home for family and friends.  Will you share a few of your favorite recipes that taste out–of-this-world delicious with your Bianco and Rosso wines?

Paul Cullen:
Grandma Tag’s Fast Sauce paired with Sonata Rosso.

Pan Seared Diver Scallops on Cheesy Polenta in a Tarragon Pancetta sauce paired with Sonata Bianco. 

WL365:  If you could have dinner with any living celebrity or well-known public figure while sipping on your wines, who would it be and what wine would you want to share?

Paul Cullen:  Chef Mario Batali…Both of my Sonata Wines with homemade pasta and gnocchi dishes my Grandma Tagliaferro taught me to make.

WL365:  Ok, last question Paul: Is there any chance that you might end our interview by performing your rendition of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games”?

Thanks Paul!  Please check out Paul Cullen’s new CD, Eleven Sundays and his delicious first private label wines called Sonata.

Editor’s Notes:

Paul’s wines can be purchased online through Boutique Wine Room.
A big thank you to our friend, Holly, for whipping up the scallops recipe for us!