Jordyn Jackson is a singer/songwriter from Jacksonville Florida.
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?
Yes. When I was in 8th grade, I went to a very small Christian school. I was overheard singing on the playground by Louis Pecci, a student's father who owned a design firm in Jacksonville, FL. Louis gave me the gift of studio time for my 8th grade graduation. As soon as I stepped foot in the recording studio, I knew that I wanted to be a professional singer.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
I have a very wide spectrum of favorites: Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Ours, Christina Aguilera, Pink Floyd, Whitney Houston (I learned to sing by emulating her voice), Eva Cassidy, Billie Holiday, Brandi Carlile...The list goes on!
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
There's no way I could pick just one! In 2005, I visited a friend in Bordighera, Italy, and ended up meeting a promoter who booked me for 2 months along the Mediterranean. The performances in Italy are definitely my all-time favorite live memories.
Recording "September in the Garden" in New Orleans takes the recording cake. Everyone involved in the recording process exceeded my expectations and created an experience I'll never be able to duplicate.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
The belief that music can change the world, and the hearts of the people in it, is what fuels my pursuit of a music career. People remember lyrics after listening to a song once or twice, but how many people remember a speech made by a politician? I think that artists take for granted the influence they have over their listeners, and this world would be a much better place if our musicians would focus their creative energy on making a positive difference.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Technology, like most things, can be used for the good or the bad. In the music industry, it has caused music to be immediately accessible, which is convenient, but also detrimental to the artist trying to make their money off of record sales. In recording, technology has created a much easier, cost-efficient process, but it has also caused a surge of artists to excel in the industry that couldn't if they didn't have quantization and pitch-correction.
I am torn as a musician when it comes to technology in the music industry. I feel that as long as you keep your artistic integrity, you can use it for the good. As a vocalist who strives to give honest performances, I do wish Auto-Tune and Melodyne had never been invented.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
I'm a shoe addict, so this question is great! I would be a comfortable pair of 5-inch black leather stilettos.
Showing posts with label Eva Cassidy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eva Cassidy. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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 3rd 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!
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 3rd 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”
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