SIMPLY SIX: John MacLean

John MacLean is a singer/songwriter from Massachusett.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

By 1979 I thought I had missed my chance to be a singer, player, songrwiter - any of those things I had sort of dreamed of. I was well past my teens and figured it was too late to start learning. But that year my great dear friend George Brown, who is a wonderful Texas born guitar player and singer, was living in my house in Baltimore. One night he played Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho & Lefty" and I was suddenly knocked over by the realization that I had to learn to play and sing. George taught me how

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

There are so many! Constants include Bruce Springsteen (especially "Nebraska"), Richard Shindell, Kate Campbell, Lyle Lovett, Dick Gaughan, Dylan, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earl. More currently, I have discovered Antje Duvekot and Cliff Eberhardt and just love their music.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

For my song "Liar's War (Letter Home)" to receive honorable mention in the 2005 Boston Folk Festival Singer Songwriter Contest was a defining moment. I gave me the courage to believe I am a songwriter. As for live performing, the first time I stood in front of a microphone and sang to an audience was my greatest moment - not for the quality of my performance but simply because I did it. I'll never forget that.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I'm not sure that music can change the world all by itself BUT I do believe it can provide unmeasurable emotion, unity, and focus when a serious cause is brewing. Music is very, very powerful. Songs make me cry all the time.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Everything has changed and fragmented. On the one hand that has meant CD stores are closing down all over the place and few people buy my actual CD, but on the other hand the door is wide open for unsigned artists to get heard in so many other ways, especially on the internet. Voices to Hear is a perfect example of that. And I've sold mp3's and CD's as far away as Belgium and France via iTunes! Couldn't have imagined that ten years ago.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Easy. A well worn in pair of snakeskin boots - just like the pair I bought in Scottsdale, Arizona twenty years ago. They always remind me of the Texas origins of my earliest music education from George Brown.