Simply Six: Zaccheri Gray

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?

For me, I couldn’t say there was one defining moment. I spent most of my time as a kid in one of two places, either my house or my grand parents house, both of which were very musical. In my house, at any given time there would be half a dozen guitars strategically placed in every nook and cranny (though my mom never understood why we NEEDED guitars in the kitchen…) and my dad wouldn’t hesitate to pick one up and sing a song for my brother and I. At my grand parents, usually every dinner we had there consisted of some incredible Italian food and a vocal performance from my grand father (whether we asked for it or not!). He was an incredible singer though and this is where I garnered my love for traditional Italian music. Having these influences as a young child you can see how music would play such a pivotal roll in my life. I discovered Nirvana in grade 3 and wanted to learn electric guitar. My dad would play me lots of Bob Dylan and I learned just how much power words could have. Tupac Shakur was also a big influence in my teenage years and I saw that he could give a voice to people that maybe didn’t have one. If anything can give somebody hope, a voice, a feeling like they are not alone or just plain move your soul. It’s music. And I wanted to be a part of that.

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

This is a tough question (probably for anyone that loves music). Why don’t I just take you through my day (I’m writing this before bed) When I woke up I had to clean my apartment so I put on some Avenged Sevenfold to pump me up and get me through it, I hate cleaning, though I love to cook! I hopped in my Jeep and put on some 2pac (some things don’t change after high school I guess..) got to my friends place and put on Brett Dennen’s new album (Loverboy, it’s a great album) Driving home I put some Ornella Vanoni on (L’appuntamento, one of my all time favorite songs) then once I got home I had some friends over and we hung out and listened to some Marvin Gaye.

I have to give some honorable mentions, as one day just isn’t enough time to listen to everything: Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Tool, Sam Cook, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Biggie Smalls. Honestly this list could go forever. I’m stopping.

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

Hearing myself on the radio has been very cool but the truth is nothing compares to hearing from fans. What an incredible feeling it is to know that you’ve connected with somebody you haven’t even met. I can remember countless times when I felt that way about musicians I looked up to. And now to get messages from people telling me that a certain song has really touched them or helped them through a tough time. I can’t really explain the feeling but it’s a great one. Those are my greatest moments and no matter what kind of success I get, I don’t think that will ever change.

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

I definitely believe music can help any kind of movement. Music is something that is in every human beings core. Music unites us. I’ve yet to see a culture without some kind of music. So yes I do believe music can be a driving force in making positive changes in the world. I also think, and just as importantly, music can change an individual’s life.

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

I think all you have to do is have a look at the music industry and how many labels have gone under to answer that question. I am a big iTunes user. I love the fact that I can hear a song or an album and 5 minutes later I have it on my iPod to play in my car or at home. I do however miss booklets and wish that albums would come with digital ones. How great would it be to scroll through lyrics to each song, photos and band notes again? Illegal downloading however is a whole other story. Myself and any other artist would be lying if we said it doesn’t hurt us tremendously. I honestly don’t think people are doing it maliciously. I just think that most people don’t think about it. If you remember that for any of these artists to make more music they have to be able to pay for that, not to mention groceries and other life essentials, I think more people would pay. I make sure to support the artists I like because I want to see them make more music and I also know that 10 dollars isn’t much money for something that may have taken them a year to create. With that being said I do know many people that pay for music and have some incredible fans that have too, so I thank you for that.

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

A nice pair of dark brown leather boots. This way I get to go to nice restaurants but still ride motorcycles. I love motorcycles

Simply Six: Erin Dickens

Erin is a founding member of The Manhattan Transfer and is currently from Maryland.

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 knew from a very early age that I was crazy about music. I started singing and
playing music with my father at a very early age...maybe six years old. He was a
fabulous musician - he played piano, guitar and banjo by ear and was wonderful at jazz
improvisation. Passion just oozed from the core of his being. Thankfully, I inherited his
love for music, and on a good day, some of his talent!

The day that I knew that music would be my profession was the day that I packed my car
to leave college in Virginia and move to New York. This was no casual decision, and my
parents were horrified. I was in the middle of starting a new singing group with some
friends, and I was determined to make it work. A few weeks after my bold move, and
after much heated debate, we finally decided on a name: The Manhattan Transfer.

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

There are so many artists that I love! Sting, Andreas Bocelli, Pink Martini, Chandler
Travis, Benyaro, Chris Gotti, Melody Gardot, Lambert Hendricks and Ross, Amos Lee,
Julie London, Tony Bennett, Gregg Allman, Leonard Cohen. Just a few. I love it all.

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

I have had the good fortune to have been involved in creating amateur variety shows to
benefit a wonderful organization: Habitat for Humanity. I live in a small town, and I was
asked to co-write original comedic material, produce a show and act as musical director
for a live stage production we called “The Follies”. We mounted these productions over a
five-year period, and it was truly a high point in my life. Our last show gathered together
205 amateurs both on and off-stage. We put up an hilarious and well-produced variety
show, and the proceeds from our performances were great enough to build three homes
for needy families in my town. And I got to sing, too. How cool is that? I was juiced
beyond measure for months. I still am, actually.

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

Oh, don’t get me started here! J Music is transformational. Music is a divinely powerful
force in our lives and I believe that it is the responsibility of every artist to do his/her
share of healing, problem-solving, enlightening…whatever you want to call it. We have
the power to teach and bring to light things/situations/people that desperately need help.
We can discuss the obvious in regard to influencing current events – artists like Bono and
Sting’s Conspiracy of Hope – saving rainforests and working to end human suffering and
the like. Using our voices to raise money and create awareness on a giant scale is a given.

We must do that. But even more, artists like me can reach out to smaller crowds at every
concert. We can change minds; we can spread joy. We can lift spirits and heal our world
– one fan at a time.

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

I used to tell my sound engineer, “I don’t care what you do, just make me sound good.”
Boy, have times changed. Now my engineer says stuff like, “What ratio do you want that
compression at? Soft or hard knee? What frequencies do you want rolled-off on your
upper mids?”

But that is just the beginning….technology has made it possible for masses of music
lovers (only some are actually musicians) to create and record music at home. That is so
great. What a gift to have access to professional tools to learn and grow as an artist. To
be able to knock out a quick demo of a new composition at home (in the old days that
would cost thousands of dollars in a studio) is just awesome. This is better than kittens.

On the other hand, one no longer needs to be able to sing and play in time or, more
importantly, in tune. For the record, I do not need to correct my pitch. I sing in tune. And
I phrase in time. These days, that is really saying something.

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

I am a Gemini. Seriously, do I have to pick?

Sunday: Fuzzy slippers
Monday: Running shoes
Tuesday: Ralph Lauren kidskin penny loafers
Wednesday: My red Justin cowboy boots
Thursday: maybe the loafers again or Uggs.
Friday: MJ Knoud Paddock boots. (Nothing kinky here – I actually ride horses)
Saturday: Something sexy…maybe a Jimmy Choo strappy sandal.

OK…OK…..If I had to pick, I’d be the loafer. J