TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Most people are retired at age 76. Music legend George Clinton is headlining a world tour, featuring songs from his brand new album Medicaid Fraud Dog and others that crowned him "the King of Funk".
"We're going to Europe and Japan with Flying Lotis, Kendrick Lamar's crew, and that's a whole new thing, this electronic music," says George Clinton, "but they're into the funk too, so I'm going to pursue everybody that wants to dance."
Also performing on that tour? His daughter Brandi. She describes her dad as humble.
"For George to be my dad, it's really helped me out a lot," Brandi says. "He's taught me so much with dealing with people in general, taught me not to take things personally, and do your best in life, and after that, he says, 'funk it', he uses those terms."
When George Clinton is not traveling and touring the country, he is spending time at his home with his other passion...art...painting, at the studio at his home.
"I just got hooked on it," laughs Clinton. "I stay out of trouble when I'm in the country. When I'm in the city there's too many things that can get you in trouble."
But down time is limited, as locals crave a taste of those funky beats. The Moon Nightclub is known to be a favorite of the Parliament-Funkadelic leader. He's performed there seven times to a very diverse crowd according to The Moon's General Manager Scott Carswell.
Carswell says, "George is one of the few artists that brings in the black folk, the white folk, young folk, old folk, males, females, I mean, it's just totally across the board. So he's one of the few who does that and it's a rare thing."
Dr. Funkenstein locks in some time to give back to the city that's supported him over the years.
He opens up his Tallahassee studio and mentors local emerging artists.
"He gave me the opportunity to come intern, that's what I started off as at the studio, just an intern soldering wires and stuff like that," says Clinton's Director of Operations Barry Epperson, "and now I am responsible for making sure the whole company keeps moving forward."
"He gave me a whole new world," reflects Head Studio Engineer Ricky Tan. "It's not even an opportunity -- it's another lifestyle, just learning the funk."
So for a funky man who's seen it all, done it all, and worn it all....what's his biggest accomplishment?
According to Clinton, "Well I ain't finished so I ain't trying to figure that out yet. Like I feel like we are having so much fun right now, we are getting started."
