10 questions with Chris Isaak

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Chris Isaak performs last year at the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton, his hometown. He will be at the Gallo Center in Modesto on Saturday.CALIXTRO ROMIAS/The Record

There's a really huge - and brotherly - presence missing from Chris Isaak's 2013 summer tour:

The booming voice, boisterous laugh, endless wisecracks, facial expressions, sarcastic observations and dependable drum support of Kenney Dale Johnson.

For the first time in 30 years - ever since the Stockton-born Isaak began his musical career in small San Francisco clubs - the burly Johnson hasn't been sitting behind Isaak, pounding out those lean, mean rhythms and participating in the on-stage goofiness.

Johnson, 56, is undergoing treatment for cancer. The San Rafael resident, a native of Borger, Texas, never had missed an Isaak show.

"It's been a great tour," said Isaak, 57, the Stagg High School and University of the Pacific graduate. "We're all just pulling for Kenney to get well and get back on the bus. ... He's doing great and we're hoping he'll get back with us soon."

Isaak, a sometimes-surfing resident of San Francisco's Sunset District, and Johnson seem more like brothers - Isaak grew up with Nick and Jeff in Stockton - and often perform as a duo at sporting events.

Curt "Kirkee B" Bisquera, a Los Angeles studio drummer originally from Santa Maria - he's provided rhythms for Elton John, Tom Petty and Josh Groban, among others - is sitting in for Johnson. He synchs up with bassist Rowland Salley and guitarist Hershel Yatovitz when Isaak and Silvertone play Saturday at the Gallo Center in Modesto. It's his first show at the six-year-old venue.

Isaak, who's released 15 albums during a 28-year career, is an old-school entertainer with glittery rhinestone suits, a multi-octave vocal range and a wry, sometimes ribald, sense of humor. His show continues reflecting on the Memphis, Tenn., rockabilly roots he revisited on "Beyond the Sun," his 2012 album.

"I have a bunch of new songs and I want to record," Isaak said. "But the biggest thing on the horizon will be that big Texan climbing back on the drums."

Isaak took some bus time to answer The Record's 10 Questions.

Question: What's the biggest wave you've ever surfed?

Answer: I think (it) was at Mavericks on a very sunny day. Doc Renneker kept riding the biggest waves that came through and I kept praying for a very small wave. I was lucky. That's important when you're not good at what you're doing. I made the wave and rode it out. I just remember being really, really focused. I guess that happens when you're scared. I usually just went looking for a small wave and an easy ride. I always thought Ocean Beach was a little safer, less shark-y and had less rocks. I thought that until I almost drowned there.

Q: If you could meet one person you've never met, who would it be? What's the first question you'd ask?

A: Man, that's a tough one. There are so many people I admire. Abe Lincoln. Dorothy Malone. Fats Domino. If I met Fats Domino, I'd just wanna know how it felt to be that talented.

Q: Where's your favorite spot to eat in San Francisco?

A: Irving Street Cafe. It's just a little place but the food is always good and the people who run it are nice to everybody. I think they also are the three-time world champions at making perfect hash browns. What more could you want?

Q: What's the craziest thing you've ever attempted?

A: I tried to salvage a bunch of brass on a shipwreck way out in the islands off Japan. I was by myself. I had to swim out quite a way to the reef and climb up a rotted rope to get aboard. I ended up spending the night and having a typhoon almost lift the ship off the rocks. It was a long night. I still remember the sounds of that ship screaming as the waves hit her and she scraped along the reef.

Q: What's the goofiest thing Kenney's ever said?

A: He's the funniest guy you're ever gonna meet. When we're on tour, I always look forward to the bus rides after shows. He sits in the front and it's just non-stop wisecracks. He doesn't cuss much and his jokes are usually just a word or two. A look or a quick comment. I try not to listen to him on stage because it's hard to sing when you're laughing.

Q: What is your biggest weakness?

A: I love to draw. When I'm on the road, I always wander into art-supply stores and look at the pens and pencils. I don't seem to be able to go in without buying a few colored pencils or some pens. I remember being a kid and liking to draw comics. I just never grew out of it.

Q: What's one thing you've never tried that you'd like to try?

A: So many things. Write a book. Learn to be a good cook. Meet a double-jointed woman with low self-esteem. That's what makes life a ball. All the things you get to try.

Q: What's your biggest fear?

A: I worry about my family. I think I fear something happening to my friends more than I fear for myself.

Q: How many miles on your car?

A: 68,000. It's a '64 Chevy Nova. My brother Nick found it in Stockton and it's the best workhorse you could find. It can haul amps, guitars and has a surf rack on top all the time. I don't drive that much because I take the bus to work.

Q: Have you ever driven the tour bus?

A: No. The guys told me a long time back that when I drive they keep seeing their lives flash before their eyes. So I get a pass.


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