SIMPLY SIX: Melissa Ferrick

Melissa Ferrick is a singer/songwriter from Boston.

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?
1,....Probably the first live show i saw which was Culture Club and everyone turned on their lighters and i was in the cheap seats and it looked so cool and there was a universal feeling i remember everyone singing along and swaying and i thought,..I want to feel like this every day for teh rest of my life.

When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
2....i actually don;t really listen to much current current music outside of
friends of mine who make records and my probabaly obvious favorites like jack Johnson, D.M.B., Ani, Tori Amos, Death Cab, Tegan and sara...etc... etc...popular singer singwritters mostly,..though i listen to NPR classical and jazz...

What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
3...i am lucky to feel like i've had a few,..but the most recent was at the 100th anniversary of Progressive Magazine on stage with
Ani DiFranco, THe Indigo Girls, Dar Williams, Hammel on Trial, Catie Curtis, and Peter Mulvey,....Nice hang,..great voices,....great magazine!

. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
4....well,..i think people change the world,..and music reflects and mirrors life, i don't think music itself can change the world but i do believe a great song can make people feel united and "in sync" and from there people do it.,...i think it is more likely that music reflects current events,..its a back and forth thing,..sometimes its hard to know which came first,,ya know,..the song or the movement..

. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
5....wow this is a HUGE question,..how hasnt it,.is really the question i guess,...more interestingly for me is the way music is still an organic thing for me ,..becasue it starts with a guitar adn a lyric,.not a beat,.although,..even beats can be organic,.so,.i guess the only thing technology hasnt changed is the fact that someone has to write it...:)
Technology has only Positively affected my career certainly in its ability to turn more people onto my stuff and the ability for people to access my music and information.

Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
6....black Vans with a big toe hole.