Simply Six: Susan Picking

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 think back to when I was in elementary school and I loved vocal music. My favorite teacher was the teacher who had us sing everyday.   My mom took me to musicals and inside I thought I could do that, and would be fun.....and yet as a kid I studied piano and cello.

About 15 years ago in Long Beach CA, I was hitting some tennis balls with a 7 year old girl.  She sang a song for me on the court and told me she was taking voice lessons.  I got the name of her teacher and immediately started to study voice.  I was working as a flight attendant at that time, and could easily bring my voice along on my trips and practice singing on my layovers.  I would practice vocal exercises into my pillow in my hotel rooms.  As crazy as I knew it was, it was so energizing and fulfilling.  I continued private lessons and studied music at Long Beach City College.  It was at this point that it hit me. “ I realized it was my passion, when I could practice for hours in solitude in a college practice room and lose time and forget to eat.” At that moment It wasn’t about performing, it was connecting to my voice and my passion and realizing I’d found it,  both my voice and my passion. 

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


The    favorites list is sooooo long.  There is so much good music out there.  I love just about all genres from classical, to native ethnic, to any Americana, jazz, gospel R &B , hip hop to country. MY BIGGEST INFLUENCE IS  70’s folk rock.....Carole King, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits.  I also LOVE Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.  A few female jazz icons whom I adore are Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone.  Contemporary Artists that I listen to are Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer, BrandyCarlisle, Cheryl Crowe, Alison Krause, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper..... I love to hear anything live, and listen to a lot of local Just to name a few......

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


There have been a couple of pivotal moments in my career this past year that confirm that I’m heading in the right direction.  One was my first appearance on eightWest  WOOD TV 8, an NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids MI.  It opened a lot of doors for me in Grand Rapids when I first moved there.  People took me more seriously as an artist.  Another one was being selected as a Top 10 Summer CD release in Grand Rapids by John Sinkevics writer for the Grand Rapids Press.  In Live performance there are always moments of feeling deeply connected.  One was performing as a vocal soloist and played the Bodhran,  with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra.  I performed a Traditional Gaelic Irish Tune with a Celtic group.  Another experience that was moving was having a Developmentally Disabled elderly man come up to me after a show and tell me that my performance raised his spirits.  That’s why I do it.

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


 Change starts from within on a singular individual basis. In other words, change happens when people change.  Societal or cultural  climate change occurs when collectively humans come together and create a shift.  Music can definitely influence a mood or a state of mind which can then influence change. Musicians and Artists are often at the forefront in leading this type of movement.  Historically musicians and artists have been visionaries who suggest different ideas and different ways of being through their art. Music can be inspirational and can inspire people to create change in their worlds.  It is also just something to listen to, if you are not open for change.  ;)

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


Technology has had a huge effect on the music industry.  From recording technology we have gone from very expensive studio recordings to DIY in home computer studio recordings making it affordable for all musicians. With DIY recording being so accessible to any musician......one does have to consider the varying expertise of this accessibility.  Technology has also made free music accessible corrupting the ability of musicians to make money off of their art, with piracy.  Technology has also made it accessible for the creative Indie Artist to make a living through various streams of social networking.  It has definitely assisted me through social networking to be able to reach larger audiences through the internet and social media.

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


I like making a statement while also being sensible.  I like a versatile shoe that is comfortable for the miles that I walk through life, as well as exhibits some personality of the wearer.  Ultimately I like it to have a lot of SOLE.  Chuck Taylor meets, Born, meets Manolo Blahnik, all with a reasonable price tag......DSW or Zappos.

Simply Six: Margaret Bernstein

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 was in a natural food store in California several years ago when a lady approached me and told me with certainty in her voice, “You are a singer!”

I shook my head, but she insisted that she was a physic and that she knew that I was a singer. I shook my head again and she gave me another hard look and exclaimed ‘Then you want to be a singer!” I realized that that was a true statement-I did indeed want to be a singer and be the voice of the many songs that I had been writing for years.

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

I love so many styles of music. Having been brought up on classical music, I particularly love Beidrich Smetana’s “Moldau” from the “Ma Vlast” collection of orchestral tone poems. I also love Brahms Third Symphony, Beethoven’s seventh symphony, Dvoorak’s Slavonic Dances and Rachmaninoff’s Piano concerto #2 in c minor and of course, the music of JS Bach! In terms of songwriters, some of my favorites throughout the years have been Dan Fogelberg (especially the “Home Free” album), Cris Williamson, Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Carolle King, and Tori Amos. I also really appreciate the neo-jazz sounds of Paul Winter Consort and Lyle Mays. Honestly though, most of the time when I am listening to music these days, I am listening to my son practice his marimba and violin or to the car radio playing anything from the latest pop hits to the local college weekly Indian music radio show.

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

There have been many great moments in my music career so far so it’s hard to choose. Some of these moments have included playing flute on a recording produced by the Who’s Pete Townsend and also singing my original songs with my awesome band to auditoriums of cheering middle school students as part of the SAFE through the Arts program.

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 that Music can change the world and that the power and influence of music is not to be undermined or underestimated! I hope to bring about positive changes through my music, one song at a time. Every time that a middle school chorus sings my song “Believe”, I can feel the positive energy that is being transmitted through the energy and words of the song and I feel so grateful that my music is able to positively affect and inspire others in this way. My ultimate goal is to help to bring more love and compassion into the world through my music.

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

Technology has changed the ways in which we create music, listen to music and sell and buy music. The most noticeable way that technology has affected my career as a musician has been the use of the Internet, which has enabled worldwide communication and sharing of music, especially through the social networks. It has provided a platform in which I can be more involved and control in the business aspects of my music career. The downside is that the wide spread use of music via the Internet has also deflated the monetary value of music.

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

I would be a classy lace up low heal boot with orthodics inside. This choice of shoes would enable me to be in style while still being practical. The orthodics would give me extra support whereas the low heals would provide me with plenty of comfort. This boot is a perfect analogy for me because I am always making forward strides in my career in the most practical way possible, while still stepping out with plenty of style! J