Simply Six: Robin Roberts

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 began with Ricky Nelson way back in the days where he was featured and the end of "The Ozzie and Harriet Show" ........I would wait patiently every week hoping that he would be playing a song at the end of the show. I was just a little kid from a small Kansas town who fantasized about actually having a real guitar.....then it was Elvis...and then....THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!!!!!  As it turns out....... I've been playing and singing now most of my life...........

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

Growing up in the 60's I was always hooked on Rock'n Roll from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and all the rest........  and became a Bob Dylan fanatic the first time I heard "Like a Rolling Stone"....in the 70's I was lucky enough to get turned on to the songwriting of Hank Williams senior.....and that totally threw me in a different direction........I've played the guitar most all of my life....but got struck by the banjo bug real bad after hearing a guy picking at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas a few years ago..... these days....... I still love and listen to all kinds of music...but listen to a lot of bluegrass like "The Stanley Brothers", Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Allison Krauss, Bill Monroe and all the rest.........  very good stuff.......

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

I've played a lot of gigs with the folksinger Billie Preston since 2008 and it seems the high-light of our year the last couple of years has been playing Stage 5 at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas....it's a great crowd ....and a real good feeling.......to be playing there......and have a lot of folks singing along......with our songs.... 

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

Yes, I believe music can change the world........   from Woody Guthrie singing "This Land is Your Land", to Crosby Stills and Nash singing "For What it's Worth", to John Lennon doing "Imagine".....and the beat goes on ...............

And yes, I believe music does influence current events by bringing a strong message to the masses...........whether it be about social injustice......... or the terrible costs of war........or the love felt in the spirit of Christmas

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

Technology has changed the music industry forever.... in gigantic and unbelievable ways.....from the simple things like electronic tuners.....to digital recordings and photographs........to the internet and each of us having our websites.....and Facebook.....and the ability to get our music out to the whole world from right here in Wichita, Kansas...... ...it's a crazy big world out there..........and it's just a click away.........

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

That would be a pair of nicely worn black and white Converse, Chuck Taylor basketball shoes............:) 

 

Simply Six: Danny Django

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 in Fourth Grade on a Sunday me and some friends watched a Sunday Matinee Movie called “A Hard Days Night” starring the Beatles.  I found myself riveted to it.  I was blown away by the bands music, charisma, wit and personal charm.  I could sense from that young age that there was something very special that I was watching.  A group of people, The Beatles, almost at the height of their careers having a huge impact on world culture that can still be seen and felt today.  I knew I wanted to be apart of that too somehow.

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

  I enjoy the sounds and musical styles of Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, Elliott Smith, Eddie Vedder and Neko Case.  I like Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell for the songwriting.  Cole Porter and Igor Stravinsky for the amazing arrangements and tone color. Kurt Cobain and B.B. King for the powerful emotion in their work.  I really enjoy the work of most British groups over the years.

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

 I think the song “A Survivor” from my new CD “Child Indigo” is a real accomplishment for me personally. The song places someone (probably me) in a backyard or something observing their surroundings and trying to come to grips with what it means to have survived a terrible disease, like cancer. I think that the writing and performance of the song is completely authentic to some of the questions I’m facing in my life now.   The response by audiences has been overwhelming.

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 that music has a profound effect on the world and culture.  Ultimately music stimulates peoples thoughts and emotions. It can change the way people look at themselves and the environment around them.  It can be a catalyst for positive or negative trends.  For instance. Many scholarly people believe that The Beatles played a key role in the break-up of the Soviet Union.  It was illegal to listen to Western music in the USSR, people went underground to make and exchange bootlegs of Beatle music and posters.  They even went so far as to play their music at numerous underground locations.  This grew into a huge thing by the 1980’s, the vast majority of Soviets were listening to the Beatles, even Gorbachev.  The walls came done.  Peace , love & understanding via The Beatles triumphed.

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

I think the technology has really killed the old music business models as far as the mega-media Record companies go.  There’s less money, so they can take fewer, if any  chances.  I think the technology has helped make it easier for someone like me to not only create better music but to reach a lot of people with my music that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to.

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

 A pair of medium-healed slippers with Mountain-climbing tread on the bottom.

SIMPLY SIX: Sarah Tolar

Sarah Tolar is a jazz/folk singer from New York.

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 parents had a steady gig at a local hotel where I grew-up in Colorado. I remember going to hear them and sitting-in when I was 5 years old. I sang "Hey Good Lookin," a Hank Williams song. That moment felt so real and true and I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

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

It changes every week! This week I'm into Wilco, Nina Simone, and a CD of traditional French folk songs a friend gave me. I can't understand a word but its the most beautiful thing I have ever heard!

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

Opening for Christopher Cross at the Birchmere near Washington D.C. Christopher's audience was incredibly open and willing to fall in love with new music.

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! It changes our human experience everyday. Music is the only universal language. It can heal the depest wounds, breakthrough the hardest walls, and unite us like nothing else.

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

I feel so lucky that I am able to have people in other parts of the world hear my music in an instant thanks to internet music sites like MySpace and iTunes. I am also lucky that I have access to a ton of artists and different kinds of music. And in regards to recording, we can all make records in our basement now! Again, lucky us to share our music so easily.

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

Wow, a question so close to my heart! I would be a good-lookin' pair of cowboy boots: comfortable but sexy and super sassy.

SIMPLY SIX: Stark

Stark is Lani Ford with changing members rounding out the band since they started in New York City in 2003.

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 was a classical pianist and church organist. I heard classical music and hymns since before I was even born so as soon as I could make noises I started singing. As soon as I could talk I started making up my own songs…about 3 years old. Later, I voraciously listened to any music I could find, memorized all the words and made up song and dance acts. After seeing Wizard of Oz and getting a Judy Garland album, you couldn’t stop me. Glen Campbell, Judy Garland and Linda Ronstadt were my mainstays before 10 years old. Don’t ask me why.

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

Depends on the mood I’m in. I have extremely eclectic tastes in music but the theme of either angst or misery with some kind of rebelliousness is probably always present. I listen to a lot of local/independent bands like Bantam. New Professionals, I.C.U., F.P.ToZ, Statues of Liberty . I love Marianne Faithfull, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Sass Jordan , Tori Amos, Eminem, Rosemary Clooney, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Sabbath, Agnostic Front, AC/DC, Heart…I could go on and on.

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

Every time someone says they can’t stop listening to one of my songs or that they felt like someone got them when they heard my song. That’s always so humbling and inspiring and makes me remember why I keep torturing myself with all this.

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

I’d like to believe music can change the world. I think it keeps some cultures alive when people are taking part in it. Can Nickelback write a song that will stop war? I don’t think so.

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

I think technology has taken a lot of the artistry away. It’s become formulaic. I don’t know if my career would have ever been really any different but I still do analog recording which if a defiant move away from the technology. I think we’re even going to go vinyl for the new album…but we’ll also have download cards…so technology won’t go away…you have to use parts of it and just do what you believe in. I like that old fat sound so pro tools just doesn’t do it for me.

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

Combat boots.