Simply Six: Jesse Terry

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?

Man I wish I could say it was as cool as the Beatles on Ed Sullivan!  I always loved singing but I didn't really fall in love with it until I started writing songs; because I knew that working on my singing was going to have a big impact on getting my songs across..  I started writing songs at around nineteen years old and I started learning everything I had grown up listening to.  I learned every Beatles song and every James Taylor song.  I think learning all of those songs and emulating all of those great artists made me a better singer and songwriter  hopefully I soaked up just a tiny bit of that genius. 

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

Oh so much music..  Always listening to the classics, from Frank Sinatra and Buck Owens to Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne.  I just love great music.  I listen to a lot of my peers too..  lots  of indie artists that aren't household names (that really should be!).  I just played some shows with Beth Wood and James Casto that were so inspiring..  I have some shows coming up with Michael Logen, Lizanne Knott, Liz Longley, Tony Arata and Angela Kaset that I'm so stoked about.  As far as household names I'm really digging on Grace Potter, Brett Dennen, Kimbra, Brooke Fraser and Ryan Adams right now.

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

Both of my CD release shows have been EPIC!!  Great moments...  The kind of moments you work for, sacrifice for, save for...  I love being in the studio and making records... love being around the players, engineers, producers etc and witnessing a recording's birth...  beautiful accidents happen and you can never predict exactly how it will sound.  I wish I could make a couple records a year.  It's such a great hang with my bunch of guys and gals.

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

Absolutely.  But I think it's important not to take it too seriously either.  It's our heart and soul..  It's our fears, our hopes, our desires, our losses, our love, our failures on display...  But, it's also supposed to be fun!  I always try and remember that before a big show or showcase.  HAVE FUN!!  But yeah, music can change the world.  I know because it changed mine.  It literally turned me away from drugs and negativity and gave me an incredibly positive outlet.  Music in public schools reduces crime, increases intelligence, reduces drug use, reduces violence...  That's been proven in various studies.  So I think that's world changing stuff.  The higher my star rises the more I can help causes.  It's part of what drives me to be a household name.  I think music can influence current events too.  We're not really in an age of protest music but music is powerful and we know how it can influence people.  That's why they get folks Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder and James Taylor to perform at political events.

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

HUGE question!!  It's completely affected the music industry.  It's made some things much better, like the ability for folks like me to make a world class record and spread the word about my music.  It's leveled the playing field in some ways and eliminated the record label gatekeepers.  But it's also made things really hard for some folks, mainly the songwriters who don't perform live and never intended to..  the majority of their royalties are being stolen by piracy and that's how they used to feed their families.  Is that right?  Isn't there ample advertising money that can be distributed to these folks, just like radio distributes money to songwriters?  I don't know the answer now but I know a lot of these songwriters and I feel for them.  It's a changing industry and generally I embrace what's going on and find out how to adapt to it.  As a performing artist I can always make money by performing live.  Folks still value that and will pay for it.  I'm so grateful for that! I do think that music has been de-valued a bit and I do believe that art still has value.  I think a record costs about as much as it did twenty years ago, right?  I choose to give away a lot of my music away for free, in exchange for email addresses... but that's MY choice.  As a touring artist, an email address can be more valuable than an iTunes download.  I love my fans and want to connect with more folks out there.  Technology helps me there.

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

I'm a flip-flops guy in summer, chuck taylor guy in winter..  I like to keep it casual and chill.  I'm a musician and even though I work my ass off I don't want this to ever feel like a real job!  Cheers and keep in touch..  Thanks for the interview, Jesse  www.noisetrade.com/jesseterry 

Simply Six: Gene Butler

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?

when i was a little kid in macon, georgia, i used to sneak out of the church i was attending and run down to the afro-american church three blocks away.  i'd sit outside on the steps of that church and listen to the gospel choir through the open doors.  the way those amazing voices made me feel is hard to explain.  it was like i was transported from this world and into a different world where everything was safe and all dreams were allowed and encouraged.  there was a higher power at work and i wanted to be a part of it.  and it was while sitting on those steps that i decided i wanted to be a singer. 

 

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

your favorites?

 i listen to so many different types of music that it's damn near impossible to list them all.  there is hardly any kind of music i don't give a listen.  however, some of my favorite singers are john prine, merle haggard, dwight yoakum, adele, tonny bennet, k.d. lang, bruce springstein, andrea bocelli, and the list goes on and on.  

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

or live?

i'd have to say that one of my greatest moments was when i was in the studio doing my first album and all of a sudden i looked around and there were five musicians and two engineers all working as hard as they could on a song that i wrote.  the only words that came to mind was "holy crap!" 

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

How much can music influence current events?

 it's been said that "music is the international language" and i believe that to be true.  go to a neal diamond concert or a john prine concert, look around at all the different types of people and for two hours or more there is "peace" among us.  no war, no hunger, no greed, no suffering....just the beautiful, singular language of the music.  life would be so much better if the whole world attended the same concert at the same time. 

 

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

your career as a musician?  since i don't have a clue as to how to fix a car, build a ship, cook lobster thermidor, run a bank, or run for office, i'd have to say my career as a musician is about the only career i have a handle on. 

 

 

 

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

shoes would you be?  actually, i'd be a barbara walters type of shoe.  that way i'd get to ask the questions.

Simply Six: Brian Franke

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 it was not so much a moment of becoming a singer but to be a guitarist at first.  The defining moment for me was listening to a local college radio station in New Jerseyplaying hard rock and grunge music one night in the early 1990s.  I was hooked to that music.  At that point I was curious how to make the sounds the bands played, learn how to play their songs, and then write my own.  The singing part came along later after I'd learned guitar.  I began singing in the high school chorus and in musicals, then was the backup singer in my first band.

 

 

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites? These days with the Internet and lots of music services, I'm always finding new bands or getting recommendations from friends on what to listen to.  There's so much out there that it's hard to give everything a true and full listen to completely get what the bands are doing.  One thing I try not to do is listen to too much music all the time as it can influence my songwriting.  Some of my all-time favorite artists though are: Bruce Springsteen, Elliott Smith, Van Halen, Blind Pilot, Alice in Chains, The Beatles, Vertical Horizon, Rogue Wave, Miles Davis, Chris Cornell, Nirvana, and King's X.

 

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? It happened very recently for me and that was putting my first solo album out.  The effort took over a year to complete during which time I lost my job and began pursuing music full-time.  But getting my art out there, seeing people enjoy it, and make a connection with it is gratifying.  I also had a release party for the album that I organized which was the most fun I had had playing on stage in a long, long time.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events? I do believe that music can change people or at least influence people in certain ways.  Music can make people angry or it can make people cry--it depends what the artist is trying to do with a song.  Some of the best songs in my opinion are the ones someone can connect with to a feeling they have or an event in their life or an issue--and always remember that connection throughout their life when they hear the song.  On the other hand, some songs are just meant for listening--it goes both ways I think.  What it comes down to in my mind is if the artist is challenging the listener to get past just listening and coming away with an emotion or purpose in the song.  In terms of influencing current events, time to time there's an album or a song or even a concert that defines our times in a way that does get people to notice, think, and even take action on a current event.  The most recent example I can think of is artists who raised money for Haiti with a TV concert.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician? Great questions and there are books and blogs that answer that first question better than I can.  I see technology affecting the music industry in four key ways.  One, I definitely see how we consume music has changed.  We can get more music, more quickly, more effortlessly and store more of it in than ever before thanks to technology.  Second, it's easier than ever for artists like myself to get their music out to the public.  You don't really need a label to have a career.  There are an overwhelming number of online tools I use everyday to organize and promote my music.  Third, music is starting to return to the hands of fans.  Social media, email, websites, etc have allowed fans to have more input into music, artist's careers, and they now have more power over what they want to hear and how they want to hear it.  And the final thing I'll say is that technology has made the music industry more uncertain in where it's heading.  Laws affecting music are years behind, labels are dying off, there are always new ways of marketing and promoting--so much is in a constant evolution right now.  For me, technology has been a time saver and great vehicle for most aspects of having a music career.  I especially love to connect with my fans.  Along with that, it's very simple to upload songs, pictures, and videos to just about any communication device, get instant feedback, and have conversations with anyone in the world you wouldn't otherwise have about your music.  So, yes, technology is a HUGE part of my career and I use it everyday.

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?  I'd say a pair of flip flops, I hope that counts as a type of shoe.  Flip flops are a laid back type of shoe, comfortable, and they don't hide what other shoes might--your feet.  Those are some qualities my personality hold--laid back person, honest, and putting who I am out there for who I am through my music.

 

Simply Six: American Anodyne

Erick Jones (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Chris Thacker (lead guitar, backing vocals) respond 

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? 

(Erick Jones)  In elementary school a group of high schoolers were allowed to bring their rock band to perform for the little kiddies (of which I was one).  Now, I had grown up around acoustic music all my life but I was in 5th grade the first time I heard a rock show.  The guys weren't overly good as I remember, and I can't tell you to this day what the songs were that they were playing, but the interplay between the instruments and the loud amplifiers left an impression on, and I can still vividly remember that feeling of sheer awe.  I went right out and demanded guitar lessons.  I got piano lessons instead and quit immediately.

(Chris Thacker)  My mother gave me her record collection when I was about 13 years old along with an old record player.  The moment I realized I wanted to be a guitar player was the moment I set the needle to Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Smash Hits' album.  My brother and I had began learning to play guitar, but when the first notes of "Purple Haze" rang through the speakers I was sold!  I remember thinking, "Holy shit, I want to be able to do that!".  I listened to that record non-stop for months and still have it in my collection.  I revisit it from time to time to grab that youthful feeling of curiosity.

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

your favorites? 

(Erick Jones) Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Kathleen Edwards, Kasey Chambers, Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, R.L. Burnside, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers, Doc Watson, Shovels and Rope, The Band, The Black Keys, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings, etc...

(Chris Thacker)  I've been stuck on four records the last couple of months; Drive-By Truckers 'Decoration Day', Son Volt's 'Trace', Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent's 'Shovels and Rope' and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's 'Here We Rest' (no particular order).  Four amazing albums that I just can't seem to get enough of.  I can always listen to Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and have a huge smile on my face; definitely one of my all-time favorite records.  Tony Rice's 'Church Street Blues' is one of my all-time favorite acoustic guitar records and reminds me of my childhood.  I also love the entire Outkast catalouge from start to finish. 

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

or live? 

(Erick Jones)  I saw a young lady start getting a little weepy the other night while listening to me sing a song that I wrote.  Not that I like to make girls cry, but anytime you can touch someone emotionally like that has to be a great moment

 (Chris Thacker)  I don't know that I can choose one shining moment that has been the apex for me so far.  Each experience is exciting and unique.  I love to play music, whether in the studio or in front of an audience, and I've had some wonderful experiences with bands that I have been in, and sitting in with others bands that I love.  Each musical encounter has the potential to be the greatest one you've had to date; you just have to be open to the opportunity.

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

How much can music influence current events? 

(Erick Jones)  People change the world and nothing else does.  That's the way is always has been and I believe that's the way it always will be.  Music can be instrumental in facilitating change in that it can help bring together like-minded individuals and serve as a rallying cry.  In that sense I believe music can be very influential in bringing about change, but only if the music itself speaks to the basic truths of the human condition.

 (Chris Thacker)  Music does have the ability to change the world and is always influencing culture both directly and indirectly.  The enigmatic beauty of music is that it’s on the listener to allow it to affect them.  Music is like the setting sun: it happens every day around us, but it is our responsibility to take the time to appreciate the beauty.  We choose how much we listen and let music affect us.

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

your career as a musician? 

(Erick Jones)  Technology has constantly been affecting music since the dawn of man (make a better mousetrap and someone will try to play a d minor on it), but the recent advances in the retail delivery of music to the consumer (and subsequently the ease of piracy on large and small scales) has really been a game changer.  I personally witnessed the demise of the record store from the inside working for a smaller chain based out of Atlanta.  It's heartbreaking to think that our generation is probably the last that will ever know what it feels like to walk into a room of like-minded music lovers and hear that great new band/song/style of music etc..  blaring a little too loud over the speakers and be changed, just a little bit, forever by it.

    Now, as the piece of the pie gets smaller due to piracy and lower cost to consumers I feel like the days of large all-powerful labels is in a free-fall slide and the rise of smaller, boutique artist-driven labels is on the rise.  As the business models continue to change, I think we're all just scrambling to find our place in it.  Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is yet to be determined.

(Chris Thacker)  Technology has obviously turned the music industry up-side-down and people are still trying to find the next working 'business model'.  There are no longer 'dream deals' available to artist and we use television and popular vote to determine who has the next shot at being a 'star'.  That being said, technology allows independent artist to make a living and retain more of their earning.  We can reach out to a larger fan base through social media, we can have our music available for sale through multiple outlets on a global scale, and we can connect with our audiences on a personal level that has never been available in the past. 

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

shoes would you be? 

(Erick Jones) A pair of well-worn cowboy boots

(Chris Thacker)  I'd be the pair of Durango boots I've got on my feet.  These boots have traveled the world with me from Seattle to Prague (and literally everywhere in between), seen some dingy clubs, and stood on the stages of stadiums.  There's nothing in this world like a good pair of boots.

Simply Six: Daniel Levi Goans

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?

Two moments come to mind immediately, one involving The Beatles actually.  That first moment was a few weeks after I entered high school.  I heard The Beatles' White Album for the first time and I fell in love.  Particularly "Dear Prudence" and "Blackbird" captured my imagination and I became aware of some measure of the power and depth of words placed over a backdrop of beautiful sound.  Believe it or not, I had never heard either of these songs until that year (1999).  My parents sat me down and asked if I was on drugs, I replied, "No, I've discovered some wonder!"  Or something along those lines.  The second moment happened when I was 17.  I went to the Greensboro Coliseum and heard The Boss.  From the moment he took the stage, I felt both inspired and awed.  I kept thinking, "I've got to do this.  I wonder if I can...maybe, just maybe I've got it in me..."

 

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

This question is always a blessing to answer because I can pay homage to those on whose shoulders I stand.  As a folk singer, I am frequenting studying Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Van Morrison and James Taylor records.  As far as current talent, I'm listening to Joe Pug, Josh Ritter, Tallest Man on Earth, Bon Iver, M. Ward, and James Blake, to name a few.  I can honestly say that I cherish music, both making and listening.

 

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

Two weeks ago I released a new album entitled BrotherStranger and I had a release event in my hometown of Greensboro, NC.  I decided to try something new in the promotion of the record release and in the event itself.  Instead of planning a whole tour, I focused all my energy on the release event in NC.  I'd say one of the greatest moments of my career to date was the final song.  We closed the night with "We Shall Overcome" and because of all the planning and rehearsals, we were able to put together a version that utilized fourteen musicians (cello, upright bass, violin, 2 trumpets, a baritone horn, a banjo, an acoustic guitar, an organ, two electric guitars, a full drum kit, a percussion kit, a floor tom and 6 part vocal harmony).  The arrangement called for a steady build until the last song when all the horns came in and we sang at the top of our lungs.  It felt to me like I was standing in the middle of a storm of sound and passion.  I will never forget it.

 

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

I know that music can change the world.  Music can and has set the tone for culture in the past and continues to do so.  Music has resulted in conversations about topics that could otherwise be ignored between people who are dissimilar.  It can be used to connect people and it touches the timeless parts of humanity.  Music can be used to draw attention to injustice, provide balm during seasons of mourning or darkness, and to enrich a celebration.  Music is a wondrous and mysterious thing. 

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

Technology has been a huge blessing to me and enabled me to produce my first two albums.  Technology enables studios to be more portable and sound quality to be more excellent with less factors controlled.  In addition, I now have ways to share music and make my music available all over the world with a few clicks.  On the other hand, CD sales have dropped dramatically as a result of technology and there is an overabundance of mediocrity on the scene.  I think that technology is neither good nor bad in and of itself.  It can diminish beauty or it can heighten it. 

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

Intriguing question.  I've just asked my best friend and fiance, she replied with these words, and I'll agree with her, "Something worn in.  Something that can't lie.  Old, brown, leather and weathered."  Rhyming...nice.  She may be a songwriter yet.

Simply Six: Chad Kichula

1.For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when theyknew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance ofElvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was theBeatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you?   Finding an old boxset --"Springsteen's live 1975-85" at a friend's house when I was 17.  Since then music has been my life.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?  I listen to everything from  indie-rock to outlaw country.  My favorites are Springsteen, Steve Earle, Arcade Fire, The Clash, Phoenix, The Black Keys and Johnny Cash. 

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?  Recording "World Shaker",  very proud of writing/producing that song. 

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 music is highly influencial, as are the people who perform it.  The combination of words and melody is very powerful.  Music can be so many things, whether it be the spark,  the support, or the inspiration for change.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?  Only digitally recorded so I can't relate to the changes in that technology.  In cyber, it's constantly changing. Five years ago Myspace was the rage, now it's dead in the water.  Facebook is obviously more than just a flash in the pan, but I am curious to see if Twitter will be able to do the same.   I do love how these social networks connect can connect a musician like me to people all over the world. 

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

Spotlight: American Anodyne

Music Promotion via MusicSubmit.com

Webpage: http://www.AmericanAnodyne.com
Location: Atlanta, GA, United States
Description: "So, You Want To Be A Bullfighter is written and performed well. It is highly recommended to anyone that wants to be on the cutting edge of the alt country scene." - Dan MacIntosh
Biography: Soaked in moonshine and forged from gold, American Anodyne is a band melded in the furnace of Appalachia. These truly southern gentlemen are creating a brand of Americana reminiscent of ‘70’s outlaw country while embracing the sentiments of modern times. American Anodyne’s music convey tales of small town life and portrays the hardship of living in the ‘new depression'. With songs depicting a lust for the open road, heartbreaks, and handguns their no-holds-bar style of portraying life in the south is honest and authentic. Members: Erick Jones (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica), Chris Thacker (Lead Guitar, BGVs), Justin Minchew (Bass), Kevin Rainwater (Drums, Percussion, BGVs) Similar Artist: The Band, Son Volt, The Byrds, Drive-by Truckers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wilco, Bruce Springsteen Influences: Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, The Byrds
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Simply SIx: Susan Cattaneo

Susan Cattaneo is from New England.


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?

The moment that set into motion my desire to be a singer actually didn’t happen at a concert of a star performer but happened closer to home. I am as the youngest of four kids, and the sister that is closest to me in age is a talented singer of musical theater. She is six years older than I am and was my idol growing up. Watching her up on stage and being swept away by her voice was my inspiration and created the driving force behind my desire to be a singer and performer.

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

I love listening to a wide range of performers in lots different genres. Some of my favs include Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Little Big Town, Emmylou Harris, Kim Richey, Peter Gabriel and U2.

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

When I went in to start recording my latest cd, one of the first songs I worked on was Just Like It Was Texas. The track was a full-blown country ballad with lots of instrumentation, and I went into the studio and sang it in a brash, strong and powerful way - woman as “survivor” of love. As I was driving around with the rough mix in the car, I confess I hated the way the song sounded. It was coming out harsh and strident, and I even thought of dropping it from the album.

Then, one day, I sat down with the lyrics and tried to remember why I had written it. The hook had come from an old boyfriend’s love letter that began with, “Dear Susan, You drove cross my heart just like it was Texas”. Remembering this, I decided to change my entire approach to the song and make it a quiet and simple love song. We pared back a lot of the instrumentation, and I re-sang it in a gentler, more intimate way. As a singer, I am always thinking about singing properly, with as much technical proficiency as I can muster. This time, though, I interpreted the song not for perfection, but for emotional connection. The song came to life for me at that moment, and it transformed the way I sang all the other songs on the album. This moment has changed the way I perform these songs live as well. I feel like it’s opened up a whole new world of connecting to my music and therefore, my audience, and I am so grateful for the experience.

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

I think the power of music is immeasurable. I most definitely believe it can change the world. I was recently reading a book on the ways that music can be used as pain therapy, and how people’s recovery from an operation can be quicker and less painful if music is part of their recovery program. I think music can motivate and comfort. It can set the mood for any occasion, and I think it can speak for causes in ways that speechmaking and politics can’t. A personal experience: When 9/11 happened. I was nine months pregnant with my daughter, and we had lived in Manhattan for eight years before moving to Boston, so watching those events unfold in our old home town was particularly hard. I had a lot of conflicting emotions - here I was welcoming new life into the world, at a time when so many lives had been lost. I remember hearing Springsteen’s The Rising soon after, and that album beautifully translated my feelings of grief and hope. I listened to it a lot during that year and found that it contained light as well as shadow, which echoed how I was feeling and comforted me at a time when I needed it.

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

In my opinion, technology has been a godsend as well as a curse to the music industry. On one hand, technology has given artists the ability to record songs and reach out to the people globally through sites like Facebook and Twitter. Also, technology has given us the ability to make our own quality music at home instead of having to rely on a studio every time.

On the other hand, as a teacher and lyricist, I am seeing a shift to produced tracks that may be finely crafted sonically, but that have minimal lyric content or creativity, and I’m concerned that this is more than just a current trend.

As an artist, I confess I have been reluctant to join the techo- world, but I do find many ways to make it work for me. First of all, I probably should have been a doctor, because my handwriting is atrocious, so once I could write and edit lyrics on the computer, it changed my world. Also, I love the ability to create a song and get it in some recorded form immediately. I also really like being able to write from a drum loop and to manipulate music to expand or contract sections and then be able to play them back immediately.

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

Definitely, a pair of black ostrich Lucchese cowboy boots. I think they’re hip, sexy, classic yet honkytonk…all adjectives that I hope apply to me and my music!

Simply Six: Janine Wilson

Janine Wilson is an artist from Washington D.C.

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 theBeatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you?

I don’t remember one specific moment that made me want to be a musician but there seemed to be a lot of influences around me.  I heard Jazz and Dixieland from my Dad, and I loved watching musicals on television with my Mom.  My sister and I used to ride around in the car with Mom listening to the radio quite a bit.  I was in school plays and choir as well.  I suppose my love of music was instilled in me at an early age and I wanted to be involved in it somehow so eventually that came true.  Although I do believe that if I told my teenage self that I would have put out three albums, written songs, won awards and performed for a crowd, I wouldn’t have believed it!

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

My favorites are Springsteen, The Black Crowes, Shelby Lynne, Astrid Gilberto, 70’s Bette Midler, Adele, Tom Jones, AC/DC, Liz Phair, Patsy Cline and so many others….

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

My latest album has been the greatest experience so far because it’s my first of all original material.  The song, “It Should Be Me” has done really well (even winning a songwriting award) and it’s pretty amazing seeing an event in my past come to life in song and connect with so many people.

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 believe music can change the world!  Look at what happens when people go see a live concert.  The many times that I’ve seen Bruce Springsteen in concert I still get so excited the second the lights go down and there is a unified roar of happiness at what is about to take place.  Music soothes the soul, gives us a hug when we’re sad, gets us moving in the morning and can change the way a person thinks.  And all we have to do to see how music can reflect and influence current events look at the 1960s!

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

Technology has greatly affected the music industry in both good and bad ways.  The ease of accessing music these days is incredible but also has helped in the decline of CD sales.  It is much easier to connect with fans, and give them access in many ways that weren’t available before with Facebook and Twitter.  It also takes an incredible amount of time away from being creative, songwriting, etc, but it seems to be a necessary evil.  I long for the days of going into a record store and browsing around and discovering new music.  I loved readingliner notes – I discovered so many songwriters and musicians that way.  Now with downloading a song, you don’t have that information readily available.  In this fast paced world our attention spans are shorter and shorter and don’t allow us to stop and truly absorb the moment before we’re on to the next thing.

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

I would be silver glittered 4 inch platforms!  I would wear them every day with everything!