Ed Roland from Collective Soul was online July 28th at the AOL MTV arena. As it was only accessible to AOL members, here's a transcript of what was said:

7/28/97 Collective Soul in the MTV Arena MTVixen : Collective Soul takes over the MTV Arena tonight. Collective Soul IS: Ed Roland - vocals, guitars, Dean Roland - guitars, Ross Childress - lead guitars, Will Turpin - bass and Shane Evans - drums. Ed is with us tonight.... To ask a question of Collective Soul click the "Interact" button on your screen and send it.

ClctivS0UL : Hey Everyone! MTVixen : Welcome, Ed Roland of Collective Soul! Their latest album, Disciplined Breakdown, was recorded in a cabin in somewhere (right near nowhere) Georgia. After some 20 months of being on the road, the quintet was looking forward to writing new songs and scratching out some demos. The well- sequestered cabin proved the perfect setting. MTVixen : Their newest single, "Listen," deserves one (listen, that is) and is the follow-up to the previous sin "Precious Declaration." Now is the perfect opportunity to ask the band about the sentiments that led to the creation of their album. So here are the questions that we promised you, Ed, (one at a time, of course!)

MTVog : WesT2pac asks regarding Collective Soul's name: Question : What made you decide that would be the name of the group? ClctivS0UL : It was the only one we ALL agreed on!

MTVog : Cannni asks: hey guys... how do you come up with the lyrics for your songs? is it more of a process or just a spontaneous thing? ClctivS0UL : It's a little bit of both

MTVog : Gennmia1 asks: What is the meaning behind the song "December", some people say it is a sexual song? ClctivS0UL : No it's not a Sexual Song It's about being abused mentally

MTVog : BarqsRoot asks: Do you guys have any pets ClctivS0UL : Oh yea! Rudolph, the wonder dog, who tours with us and belongs to me, and ross has a minature Beagle that stays home in atlanta

MTVog : BOCspectr wants to know: Who do you consider your more significant musical influences? ClctivS0UL : The Beatles & Elton John

MTVog : Hymn 24 asks: How did you keep Will from falling off of the roof of the car in the Listen video? ClctivS0UL : we didn't! minor Scrapes & Bruises, But he's OK

MTVog : Laurie407 asks: IF YOU COULD VISIT ANY COUNTRY WHAT WOULD IT BE? ClctivS0UL : Home, Sweet Home!

MTVog : Omega779 wants to know: What was your favorite album to record? ClctivS0UL : Disciplined Breakdown!

MTVOnstage : Ed Roland of Collective Soul is our guest here in the MTV Arena!

MTVog : GathrsRai asks: Who runs around and gets hurt the most (runs into doors, trips over the drums, ya know...)? ClctivS0UL : That'd be Steve Cohen, One of our guitar techs

MTVog : Laurie407 would like to know: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU AREN'T SINGING? ClctivS0UL : Talking!

MTVOnstage : GUITAR506: asks: Who is the main songwrighter, or is it a group thing ClctivS0UL : Me...mostly

MTVog : SoulToad wants to know: Do you have a date set for your return to Atlanta, as you said you would do at the concert in June at the Roxy? (great, by the way!!) ClctivS0UL : Hmmm Toad dude, We're not sure when, we're going to the Far East MTVixen : I did my homework, here are lotsa dates... 7/29 - Lubbock, TX @ Palladian 7/30 - El Paso, TX @ South Hall 8/1 - Albuquerque, NM @ Pope Joy Hall 8/2 - Pheonix AZ @ Celebrity Theatre 8/3 - Tucson, AZ @ The Cage 8/5 - Fresno, CA @ Rainball Ballroom 8/7 - LA, CA @ Anson Ford Theatre 8/8 - Las Vegas, NV @ Huntridge Theatre 8/9 - Bakersfield, CA @ Fox Theatre 8/11 - Sacramentro, CA @ Crest Theatre 8/12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore Australia & NZ & South America 8/13 - Santa Rosa, CA @ Luther Burbank Center 8/17 - Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre 8/19 - Grand Junction, CO @ Avalon Theatre 8/20 - Vail, CO @ Ford Ampitheatre 8/21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Salt Air 8/23 - Portland, OR @ La Luna 8/24 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre 8/25 - Vancouver, BC @ Thunderbird Stadium 8/27 - Calgary, Canada @ Race City Speedway 8/29 - Edmondton, Alberta Canada @ Clarke Stadium 8/30 - Saskatoon, Canada @ Saskatchewan Place Festival Site 9/1 - Winnipeg, Canada @ Red River Exhibition ClctivS0UL : & as you can see PLENTY OF OTHER DATES!!! But we DO hope to see you soon!

MTVog : Briconnor asks: Hey Guys, you've played both Lupos Heartbreak Hotel and The Strand Theatre here in Providence. Which do you like better and why? ClctivS0UL : As long as people show up & dig it. We're Cool with it you know

MTVOnstage: Gennmia1 asks: Will you please play "Wasting time" at your concert at the Fillmore in SF, for Jen???? I will love you forever , it is my favorite song and i love playing it on my guitar. ClctivS0UL: Ohhhhhhhhhh...... All I can say is We'll try.

MTVog: Mailbnq wants to know: Ross! This is Jay pat From WBNQ in Bloomington..I met you guys in Jan in Chicago at the Park West...Tell me about the Ozzy Cover! How did it originate? Any other covers coming? thanks. ClctivS0UL: Thanx, Every night when we play onstage and people are digging it is a GREAT moment!

MTVOnstage: SmshYnGrl asks: What's the deal with the Smashing Young Man Song? ClctivS0UL: Well Ms. Smashing... We were in England & I thought it was Cool in the way it was used and it fits the song smashingly!

MTVog: ShaiGirl5 wants to know: out of your three albums..which do you think is the best and why? ClctivS0UL: Disciplined Breakdown… Why? I think it shows growth musically for all of the band

MTVOnstage: SpidrBoy asks: How did you get the idea for "listen"? ClctivS0UL: What? Ok... I really don't Um.... Know! I just had the idea

MTVog: GathrsRai asks: Did you guys like Rockfest? I know Matchbox 20 was there, and I heard Ed mention them a while back on an interview... ClctivS0UL: yes we enjoyed rockfest

MTVOnstage: Shawn7244 asks: I am a big fan and have seen you in concert. If you were on a deserted island and could have only one CD what would it be? ClctivS0UL: Honkey Chateau by Elton John I guess...

MTVog: YCPchamp asks: i went to your concert at york college. do you like playing small shows like that? I thought it made the show that much better. ClctivS0UL: Yes. We enjoy that alot!

MTVog: ASquishy4 asks: Here's a question for Ed Roland: Who is your inspiration? What inspired you to write "The World I Know", which happens to be my favorite song? ClctivS0UL: Life is my inspiration and being in New York City inspired the song.

MTVOnstage: MichaelL1 asks: Where are you talking to us from? ClctivS0UL: the home of buddy holly, Lubbock Texas

MTVog: SEPPERS1 wants to know: how long have you been together as a band? and how did you meet? ClctivS0UL: Since 1989. We have known each other our Whole Lives.

MTVOnstage: Oct1971 asks: When do you go back into the studio? ClctivS0UL: Maybe March of 1998 but it's too soon to tell!

MTVog: Wordwrite wants to know: Ed, why have the critics turned their back on the band this much? Your music is loved by almost every age group, millions of fans, yet the critics snub you. Any comments? ClctivS0UL: No… as long as you guys Like what we do... that keeps us going

MTVog: Intern100 asks: It seems like youve been touring forever...Has it taken a toll on you personally??? ClctivS0UL: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MTVog: MGoudy081 asks: The local radio station here calls "Central Florida" Collective Soul's root...is that true? Where are you guys from ? ClctivS0UL: We're from Stockbridge, GA but Centrtal Florida was the FIRST Place to Play us.

MTVog: Diffrence asks: Ed-Hi are you on aol alot or are you a member of aol or is this just the only day you will be online? ClctivS0UL: Yep I'm a member but Nope I can't give out my name!!!!!

MTVog: Rob9874 wants to know: I've heard rumors about possible communistic influence in the band, hence the "collective" in your name. Is there any truth to that? And do you address that in "Precious Declaration"? ClctivS0UL: WHAT?????? It's from an Ayn Rand novel called "The Fountainhead." The only Rumors you should "Listen" to is Fleetwood Mac!

MTVOnstage: PJHAROLD9 asks: How did you pick your opening band, Darlahood? Their great! ClctivS0UL: Their CD was given to us by friends. WE Think They Are Great too!

MTVog: JoSpankey asks: Is it a hassle being on the road.. or do the benefits of playing live outweigh all the home sickness, etc. ClctivS0UL: The travelling is tough, but the performing onstage mkes it all better!

MTVog: Val24016 asks: What are some of the sentiments that led to the creation of your Album? ClctivS0UL: Confusion and the search for a SOURCE of comfort

MTVog: JJ666 asks: Are there any new bands out there that you are really in to? ClctivS0UL: Reef Darlahood Mansun

MTVog: SJKwatt91 asks: How do you feel about doing music videos? ClctivS0UL: We've been very fortunate. We've had some GREAT Directors

MTVog: HOLE GIRL wants to know: Of all the bands you have played with, which was the funnest to play with? ClctivS0UL: They ALL Rock!

MTVixen: We have time for one last question: MTVog: LL97ofU wants to know: do you carry any good luck charms? ClctivS0UL: Our Raod Manager!

MTVixen: Thanks to the members of Collective Soul for joining us here in the MTV Arena. To Ed, that is :) ClctivS0UL: Yea I just wanted to thank Everyone for being part of this whole Collective Soul Thang. It's Been FUN C-YA!

MTVixen: And thanks to our audience for their questions, and participation. For a transcript of this event, keyword: mtvarena, and then see the 'Vaults/Transcripts' area. Stay tuned for the cast of Road Rules IV, in about 1 1/2 hours, right here. MTVixen: CYA soon. Remember to surf over to Atlantic Record's website for more Collective Soul info at: http://www.atlantic-records.com/collective_soul for all kinds of info on this brand new album, DisciplinedBreakdown, and drop into your local music store tomorrow and pick it up!

Copyright 1997 MTV Networks