1.
From the time I first saw a violin at 2 years
old, I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I saw a video of
Itzhaak Pearlman playing a concert and something was ignited inside me which
told me this was my mission in life. I realize that’s a really early age but
from that moment on I never doubted what I wanted to do with my life. However,
there is one other moment that stands out in my mind as a moment that
re-affirmed my passion and assured me that I was on the right path. I was about
eight years old and Rhonda Vincent, a popular bluegrass artist, came to our
town in Mississippi to play a concert. We went to see her play and I was able
to go backstage and talk to her during the intermission. She had me play a song
for her on her fiddle backstage and was so impressed that she taught me a song
on the spot and invited me to come play it with her on stage. It was a sold out
crowd of a thousand people and that was my first real experience performing a
show. I remember being in the middle of the song and looking up and seeing the
shining light at the back of the theater. I don’t even really know what it was
I just remember seeing it and having this feeling of exhilaration that told me
“You’re on the right path. This is what you’re meant to be.”. From that point
forward I’ve never stopped pursuing my dream.
2 . When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of
your favorites?
Well I have a wide variety of musical interests
and inspirations. Some of the artists that have been most influential to me
are: Patty Griffin, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Willie Nelson, and
Ryan Adams. The artists that I currently listen to the most are probably:
Erykah Badu, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams, Tom Waits, Wilco, and
Ray Lamontagne. Other violinists and fiddle players that I really admire are:
Mark O’Connor, Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, and Vassar Clements.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record
or live?
Hmmm…there are so many incredible moments that I
look back on as some of the best moments of my life. I might have to pick a
couple! One that really stands out in my mind is performing when I was 12 with
Big and Rich at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville and the Tennessee Titan
Stadium for a sold out crowd of 60,000. It was an unbelievable experience. I
had been asked by ABC television to be in a special they were doing about young
and upcoming artists teaming up with big music stars. They chose me and a piano
player from NYC to fly to Nashville, meet Big and Rich, and be invited to perform
with them. I remember walking out on that stage, hearing the deafening roar of
the crowd, and feeling right at home. I never felt more comfortable in my life.
It was like I was meant to be there. The bass was booming really loudly wish
made my heart beat so fast. Seeing that sea of people was probably the most
exciting moment of my life. Again, I knew this was something I wanted to be
doing every single night! Other great moments were when I had the opportunity
to play both Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits music festival this year. At
my age to be asked to play those festivals was an incredible honor that I will
never forget. I was able to play with my band and my songs and sound. And I was
welcomed by amazing crowds at both events. It made me feel that all the hard
work is really paying off. I was so honored to be standing among amazing bands
at both of these festivals. There are tons more incredible moments but I really
feel that those three have stood out the most.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
I believe that music is one of the most
incredible tools that we have as human beings. Music, unlike anything else,
targets your emotion. You can be in a sad mood and then listen to your favorite
song and it can turn your whole day around. Music has an otherworldly
connection to our souls and has the power to change us as human beings. Music
more than anything else can change people’s way of thinking. So yes I believe
it has the power to change the world. If our entire world were to run out of
money tomorrow, everyone lose their jobs, crops die out, etc., we would still
have music. We would still have the ability to play music for people and make
them happy again. When you’re playing a concert, you have the power to reach
into people’s souls and make them forget about their crappy lives, if even just
for an hour. Music has the power to make people feel like they can do anything;
like they can turn their life around. It is one of the most incredible devices
that mankind has ever known.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Just like everything else in the world, music
will grow and change and develop. As technology grows and changes, our ways of
accessing music and listening to music will change as well. This is inevitable.
It’s pointless to try to stop it. It’s pointless to try to save the old ways
when new minds are being born and new concepts are developing every day. We
have to embrace the change and grow with it. It’s the only way to reach out to
the world. Youth is everything. And youths use technology. If we want to make
an impact with music, we have to reach out to them. And I don’t think the fact
that iTunes and other means of technological communications is a bad thing for
the music business. Record companies are dying out and it’s becoming about the
artist again. We’re not relying on rich executives to hire models and run them
through auto-tune in order to make a million bucks. The artist now has to reach
out to their fans themselves: through the internet. I think it’s wonderful. I love
having the ability to interact with my fans through Facebook, iTunes, blogging,
tweeting, etc. I think it’s gonna turn our ideas of how to “make it” completely
upside down. It’s an opportunity for us to grow as an entertainment business
and an opportunity for true music to stand out again.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Oh man this is tough! I would have to say
Converse. Not just because I wear them a ton, but because I’m not fancy, I love
to be comfortable, I’m unique and I want to fill your closets. Haha!
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