Here is the AOL Live transcript with Rob from 2/24/00. Thank you Jill for sending this to me.

"Smooth" vocalist Rob Thomas joined AOL Live on Thursday, February 24 at7:00 PM ET. Rob discussed his appearance at the Grammys and his collaboration with the legendary Santana. Rob and his band have a second album called "Mad Season By Matchbox Twenty," to be released May 23. Their first album, "Yourself Or Someone Like You," won numerous awards and featured singles such as "Push," "3am" and "Real World." Be sure to check out what he had to say below! Scroll down to read the full transcript...

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AOLiveMC10: Thanks to each of you for joining us this evening! Now is the moment we've been waiting for. Everybody put your hands together and give a warm welcome to Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty! Thank you for joining us this evening, Mr. Thomas!

Rob Thomas: Thank you guys for doing this. Ask away!

AOLiveMC10: There are plenty of questions, so here we go.

Question: Hey, Rob -- you did a really good job performing last night. I was just wondering, in the future are you going to be doing any other projects with Santana or any other group?

Rob Thomas: I'll always keep writing with other people because I want to be a writer. And Santana wants to do some other stuff like writing. Hopefully, in the future we will.

Question: When is Matchbox Twenty going to go back on tour?

Rob Thomas: The new record comes out May 23rd.

Question: How does it feel to be the "Golden Boy" of the Grammys?

Rob Thomas: Actually, it felt good to be there with him.

Question: What will be the first single off of your new CD?

Rob Thomas: We're still kind of up in the air about it. I think it's going to be a song called "Black and White People."

Question: How long did it take you to get started in this business?

Rob Thomas: I've been playing in different bands since I was 14. When I was 21, I started being in traveling bands and traveling through the Southeast. In a lot of ways, I'm still working and making it. I won't know for another 20 years whether I've actually made it in the business or not.

Question: How/when did Santana approach you about recording for this CD?

Rob Thomas: It was in February. My publisher had asked me if I wanted to work with another writer for a Santana song. And as soon as I agreed, it went full steam ahead.

Question: What's the meaning behind the title of your new album? Is there a reason why you included "by Matchbox Twenty" in it, in the title?

Rob Thomas: Yeah. We've done the whole packaging for the CD in the form of a children's book. It's almost like that's the title of the book. The contents of the book are the songs.

Question: What's your favorite song on the new album?

Rob Thomas: There's a song on there called "You Won't Be Mine." As a songwriter, it's my favorite song. I think it's one of my favorite songs I've ever written. It would be that or a song called "Rest Stop." The song "Rest Stop," as well as "Black and White People," I wrote 8 years ago.

Question: Will you and the Bouncing Souls do a duet together?

Rob Thomas: I never heard of them.

Question: How did you celebrate your win last night?

Rob Thomas: My wife and I went out to some parties, then we went to Santana's party. We hung out there, had some drinks and danced.

Question: Will "You and I and I" or "Heavy" be on the new album?

Rob Thomas: No. "You and I and I" was on the B-side of the last record. As it stands now, we had a hard time to figure which of the new songs to put on the record. I'd like to make a note to everyone listening.

Question: On this new album, did you change your style of music? Is there anything on there that will sort of shock us? As in, "I can't believe this is Matchbox Twenty!"

Rob Thomas: If you're ever in LA, go to In 'n Out Burger. Yes, definitely. I think because of the song and because I'm singing the songs, there is going to be a similarity, but because we are so much older now than when we made the last record, it's a much more mature record.

Question: Will you ever consider acting?

Rob Thomas: It's funny, I've been offered to read for roles in some really big films, but right now I'm a songwriter, and that's where my focus is. In the future maybe, but right now I don't have time.

Question: What inspires you to write?

Rob Thomas: Anything in life. I try and use my life as my muse. And now we have to pick up from anything.

Question: Why did you take so long to release "Black and White People" if you wrote it 8 years ago?

Rob Thomas: We were going to put it on the last record, but it didn't come out the way we wanted it. And so, for some reason, it came out perfect on this one, and so we used it.

Question: Will you ever do a duet with a female artist, and whom would you choose?

Rob Thomas: That was a very good question. I might. If so, I would do something with Sarah McLachlan in a heartbeat. I would love to do something with anyone, with any female songwriters. I can't think of any females who are just... singers, women such as Mariah Carey or Celine Dion who don't write their own songs.

Question: What are some of your favorite bands that you like to listen to?

Rob Thomas: Right now, my favorite record is Macy Gray. And I also love Buena Vista Social Club.

Question: What was the first song you ever wrote?

Rob Thomas: When I was 14 years old, I wrote a really cheesy song. It was a love song called "How Long Can a Dream Last."

Question: Hey, Rob, I was just wondering how long it took you to write the song "Smooth"?

Rob Thomas: Itaal Shur wrote the track. And when I heard it, the lyrics and the melody came instantly. So I wrote the lyrics and the melody in about an hour.

Question: On the Grammys, your performance with Santana was almost emotional. Did you feel a sense of departure after the performance of "Smooth," thinking it was you last time doing that song with Santana?

Rob Thomas: Actually, tomorrow I'm filming a live version of "Smooth" with Santana for IMAX theaters. And that will come out later in the year, only in IMAX theaters. When we're in Europe, Santana will be in Europe. We're going to play there together. Not a tour, just a few shows. It was emotional. Because Santana, the band and I were very, very proud of what we accomplished with the song.

AOLiveMC10: Looks like we have time for one last question. And it is...

Question: What advice can you give to a small band that is just starting to play gigs?

Rob Thomas: I think I would say the best advice is when you're starting, make sure that the light at the end of your tunnel is just becoming a better musician or a better songwriter, and not becoming famous or selling records. It should be about you and you and trying to be the best musician you can. And everything else will fall into place.

AOLiveMC10: Well, folks, it appears as though we've run out of time this evening! I'd like to take this moment to thank you for joining us, Rob!

Rob Thomas: Everyone that's there and everyone I didn't get to talk to, it's because of you that I won last night and I'm able to do this as a living. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for giving me this chance to play for you.

AOLiveMC10: Thanks again, and good night, everybody!

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