SIMPLY SIX: Melina Gerges

Melina Gerges is a singer/songwriter from Texas.


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?


My Mother had me singing in church at a very young age, maybe 4 or 5 years old.  However, my true defining moment happened when I was in the 3^rd grade.  My choir teacher, Mrs. Lynch- Kirk (wife of choral composer, Theron Kirk), entered me in the State Solo and Ensemble competition… I sang Caro mio ben, which I learned from a Pavarotti tape!  I won first place in that competition and was the youngest to ever win a first place.  But listening to Pavarotti’s voice was what did it for me… that is when I knew where I needed to be!

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

of your favorites?

When I am not creating or practicing my music, I love to listen to Eva Cassidy, Allison Krauss, Coldplay, 30 STM, Adele or my Pandora mixes.  It all relaxes me… their voices … their message

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

record or live?

My greatest moment, as an artist, has been songwriting.  It feels so surreal to sing my own thoughts and my own words.  It all hit home in the studio, last summer, when after the first take of my song “With You Gone” my husband walked into the studio with tears in his eyes.  Even though it is not my most popular song, it felt so wonderful to see it move my toughest critic!

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen

to?   How much can music influence current events?

I absolutely feel that music CHANGES the world!  My aunt used to say things to me like… “Melina, maybe singing isn’t for you!  Look at the messy lives of the famous, you don’t fit into that.  It’s not what God wants… what is being a singer anyway!”  At that very moment her 8 year old came singing into the living room at the top of his lungs… his brothers and sisters running behind him.  They were all singing a popular radio tune... wailing and dancing!  I looked at her and said, “Can you imagine your home without music?”  She never said that again!   4b.Music sends a message, move hearts to change, unites a world divided.  Music maybe one of the very few things that warring nations could agree on!  Regardless of the message, the artists, the genre, it has a remarkable way of healing, uniting and driving change.   Music can change current world events because there is something about the human voice in song that can alter a heart.  If the venue is right… it can move multitudes.  Heck, King David moved God’s heart through song!

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology

affected your career as a musician?

Technology has affected music in that it spreads so much faster.  People can pick and choose and radio and money does not always dictate what people listen to.  For me, it has enabled me to run my music independent of a label or suits telling me what I should do.  It is riskier, but much more grass roots and personal.  I feel honored when a podcast or an internet radio station features me.  I love it when strangers tell me how they heard me online… I feel closer to my fans.  I love it!

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

type of shoes would you be?

If I were a pair of shoes I would be my platform, orange Michael Kors Sandals.  The reasons: 1) platform for the sassiness and femininity: 2) Sandals for the freedom and summery feel!  I love the heat of the summer… I hate the boxed in feeling of closed toe winter shoes! 3) Orange because it’s a “Shout it out… laugh and live out loud color”

SIMPLY SIX: Kelsey Waite

Kelsey is from the Louisiana/Mississippi/Tennessee areas. She seems to move around a bit. Kelsey is at the start of her musical career and I hope music is the career she decides to jump into. She has one of those voices that reaches out and grabs me by the throat right away. There is a rawness to her sound, her voice sounds a lot more lived in that her young twenty early years. I think she is someone that big things are ahead of.

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?

I don't remember an exact moment. I grew up singing along to whatever was on, which was often Van Morrison or Alison Krauss, sometimes Queen or the Eagles. My mother loved Aaron Neville. Certainly music had a profound effect on me at an early age. Thanks to too much CMT, I wanted to be a “country star” from about the time I was 6 on up to 13 or so. But then I wanted to be a soccer star for a while; at some point a dancer/pop star; I fell in love with the French language for a stint. Someone gave me a Lucinda Williams record when I was about 17, and not until I got around to listening to it about a year later did my world completely change. So maybe that’s my moment, maybe that was the major seed.


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

My listening habits are always evolving. The staples besides Lu are of course Van Morrison, Dylan, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Bobbie Gentry, Neko Case. I listen to a lot of blues too. Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Junior Kimbrough, Slim Harpo, Memphis Minnie. I am moved by such a diversity of artists, from Chet Baker to X. And lately I cannot stop listening to the London Philharmonic do Bizet’s Carmen.
The form of singer-songwriter seems to have most informed my own style, though, and some of my favorites aren’t as well known: Victoria Williams, Kevin Gordon, Pieta Brown.
The high school marching band that practices nearby has almost got “When The Saints Go Marching In” down. It’s kind of my favorite to hear them throughout the day.


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

It’s hard to say. I think there have been a handful of moments where I’m completely inside of whatever it is I’m doing … when a melody or a phrase buds and blossoms, when I know I’m living poetry/music. It’s usually most intense when performing live.


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

Music can happen at the intersection of intellect and emotion, and it has a physical presence—in dance, for example. I can’t think of much else with such power, that can engage us so wholly.
The majority of what we’re getting on the radio is commercially driven and spoon-fed to us, and I think that it’s reflected in the form and non/activity of our society. From another angle, the position of underground artists and the flow of listeners into that realm absolutely have material, political, and cultural effects. Think of original rock ‘n roll and the social upheaval that occurred when young white America realized they identified with and would rather hear black music. Cover artists and the appropriation of that sound for particular audiences, all the events surrounding those artists and businesses.
Music can absolutely change the world. It has and is now.


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

There are aesthetic effects like instrumentation and sound. Rural blues to electric blues, electric blues and folk to rock ‘n roll. Then there are the various mediums—vinyl, tape, cd, mp3. I think they all have bad and good points to them.
I don’t know if I’d call my relationship to music a career (ha). But I think most artists have been strongly affected by the internet. Through several different sites, but MySpace especially, we can reach so far beyond what we could normally. I can be fatally shy, and no one really ever heard me sing until MySpace. Then I got contacted through the site to play one of my first gigs, etc. Gear-wise, had it not been for the smaller USB mixer and studio mic I bought (on the internet), I wouldn’t be able to record and play around like I do.
On a larger scale, because of technology we are in a huge transition into, I think, an unpredictable music scene … it’ll be interesting. What happens might be horrifying; it might be beautiful.


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

This is a hard one! I used to wear boots a lot, but not so much lately, since it’s too hot around here. I think I’d be something simple, maybe a hot pair of black suede casual/athletic shoes. Definitely something comfortable but stylish and understated. But I don’t know. Some days I feel completely different. I think I’d need a few different pairs.

Interview: Nicole Ockmond

Nicole is a singer/songwriter from New Orleans.


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?

I've always sung whatever I was listening to..when I was a child riding in the back seat my mom used to yell at me to keep it down because I had such a big mouth. No real defining moment..someone I respected told me I should give it a try and I did..auditioned for a friend's band and got the gig.

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

I listen to everything and anything as long as it is good and suits my mood or activity. Jazz, Country, Rock, R&B, Blues, Soul, Rapp, Techno whatever... I love to listen to Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, & Sarah Vaughn. I think that Allison Krauss has one of the purest contemporary voices and there are so many other current artists I enjoy..way too numerous to mention

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

On record would have to be the live recording sessions...hearing my lil' songs that I wrote in my room on accoustic guitar flushed out and fully realized by awesome musicians for the first time...that blew me away. Live would have to be performing at the Parish...the upper room at the HOB...I'm used to performing in small places with a crappy PA or no PA at all so it was nice to hear ourselves in a geat venue with a nice crowd.

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

Imagine...awesome song.. put to words what many were thinking at the time and still are. Hearing that song certainly makes you think and that is where change can begin...and on a lighter note how about those great songs from School House Rock..they certainly influenced my test scores a few times. I was and am still amazed that such catchy songs could be written from such mundane subject matter

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

Well for one I wouldn't be answering these questions because myspace would not exist. Technology has made everthing accessable to both musician and listener. In the past an artist would only get to record/release their music if they were signed to a record label and only a few of the lucky artists could own and run their own label. Now a musician can record, mix, master, design, duplicate, distribute, market, book your own tour, keep in touch with fans, keep informed about the industry...anything... and all from a personal computer. In the past and artist could dream now I can do.

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

High Heel Sneakers of course.

Buddy Miller

(Buddy Miller on tour with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant)

This week’s voice to hear is Buddy Miller. Buddy calls Nashville home and is an in demand session player and producer as well as a superb songwriter and singer. He also records with his wife Julie. Besides country music Buddy considers himself a Christian singer, though it might not be quite the church music you’re used to.

Buddy started out playing in a bluegrass band in high school. After traveling the country playing his guitar he ended up in New York with the Buddy Miller Band with a young Shawn Colvin singing and playing guitar. After a few years of this he ended up moving to Nashville. Along the way he met and fell in love and eventually married Julie.

Buddy is the leader of Emmylou Harris’ band and has helped produce her more recent albums. She has called Buddy one of the best guitar players of all time. He has gained fame as a songwriter, with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn covering his songs.

Buddy is not just a behind the scenes person though. He has stepped out front to write and sing his own songs, as a solo act and with his wife Julie. He has released 7 albums between his solo career and with Julie.

His most recent disc is Universal United House of Prayer. It’s a country album that rocks, a protest album, a gospel album…there are many things this album could be called, among them I would call it great. This is a theme album and the theme is the soul. He writes of the problems the word is facing today and their impact it has on the soul. The centerpiece of the album is his covering the Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side.”

Even more recent Buddy has produced a new album for soul great Solomon Burke called Nashville. His album Universal United House of Prayer won the 2005 Album of the Year award from the Americana Music Awards. Currently he's touring with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. The final issue of the great Americana Magazine No Depression named him the Artist of the Decade.

Buddy is widely sought after for his musical skills and knowledge, both as a guitar player and a producer in Nashville. He continues to tour with Emmylou Harris and record with others as well as put out his own music and record with his wife Julie. It’s been a few years since he put out his last album so hopefully he has something new coming out soon.

Jazz Fest Highlights: Carolina Chocolate Drops

My plan for this Jazz Fest was to see the lesser known acts, to sidestep the main stages as much as possible and catch the acts that don't get the headlines. I wanted to check out a lot of names that I was not familiar with. One such act was the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Weirdly I had just received my subscription copy to No Depression a few days before Jazz Fest and within the pages of this final issue of one of the best music magazines ever published was an article about the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

I knew something special was coming when Quint Davis showed up to introduce the band. Mr. Davis is one of the founders and leaders of Jazz Fest. He introduces acts like Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. Not acts in the Blues Tent.

Carolina Chocolate Drops are a threesome of young African-Americans, two men and one woman that play traditional roots music. They use banjo, guitar, fiddle, even a jug bottle to blow into. This was the surprise find of the Fest for me. I was blown away by this group. They created quite an impression on the audience too. I cannot stress how good this group is.