Simply Six: Dave Gunning

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? 

 Seeing Stan Rogers and John Allan Cameron live was that moment for me.

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

Shawn Colvin, John Haitt, Alison Krauss, The Waterboys, Tim O'Brien, Gordon Lightfoot, Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler .......

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

There's been a hundred little bursts of light that sort of connect like dots to make me feel like I'm on the right path.

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

The world would be far different without music so it seems fair to conclude that it can change the world.  I think that artists, fans and media all play a role in influencing current events and hopefully we can find ways to direct this energy for positive changes.

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

Technology has made it more cost effective to record and distribute music as well as spread the word through the various social media sites.  But it has also put many of the retailers of music out of business and made it more socially acceptable to download the music without paying the artists.  Technology is sort of like the serpent eating it's own tail.

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

I'd be a pair of Blundstones ready for whatever comes my way.

Simply Six: Amanda Marie

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’ve been very fortunate in my music career over the past 22 years! I started professionally singing when I was 8 years old, as I was trained classically & performed in my first musical; “The Wizard of Oz”!  Then, at the young age of 10, I toured the Caribbean waters with Norwegian Cruise Line, where I performed the lead role of Tootie in “Meet Me in St. Louis” & was featured in the Broadway review show, “Sea Legs Goes Hollywood”.  I currently study voice with Ron Anderson, of Anderson Vocal Productions.  Ron’s the entertainment industry’s “go-to-guy” for Selena Gomez, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Joss Stone, just to name a few.  Ron has stimulated & refined my passion for performing music enveloping my classical vocal training!  From all of these great events in my life, my musical spark exploded last year when I had a private vocal session with American Idols’ Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi. They both encouraged me to pursue my unique music style as a balladeer: light & airy adult contemporary with a classical flavor.  From this experience, I knew without a doubt that my life & future was to be centered around music, as it feeds my soul in a way that nothing else can!

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

My musical tastings are very eclectic! Some of my favorites are:  Susan Boyle, Eva Cassidy, Josh Groban, Indigo Girls, Harry Connick, Jr., Sara Bareilles, Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Journey, U2, Norah Jones, Weezer, Mariah Carey, Ella Fitzgerald, Stephanie J. Block!

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

A great moment in my musical career so far, was when I was chosen by Minder Music, Ltd., an independent music publishing company based in London, to be a demo singer for Susan Boyle!  When I found out that it was my voice that Susan would be hearing on a song that the company was pitching to her & her team, I was super excited; I couldn’t believe it was my voice she would hear!!!  Also, I love that Susan Boyle has gained notoriety as she is a true talent & deserves all of her success!

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 definitely believe that music can change the world!  Music is so universal, as it speaks to people in a way, that I believe nothing else really can!  Many times in my life, music has been a place of escape for me, as well as a foundation & I believe it can do the same for others! This is why I believe my voice can “calm & feed the soul”, as well as a place of serenity!

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

Technology is a funny thing, as it is both a blessing & a curse!  It’s a blessing in the fact that technology has come so far & has made the music business what it is today & over the past 10+ years.  We need it to record music, promote music, sell music & to survive in this business.  I feel it’s a curse in some ways, because it’s changed the music scene of today & over the past few years, as the music industry has become so electronically driven.  We are starting to see a rise again in live musicians & I think that’s a great thing! I used all live musicians on my debut EP, “Amancipation”, as the players on my album are some of the best in the music scene today!

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

Wow, this is such a great question, especially since I’m a shoe addict; no joke, I’d rather buy shoes than eat a meal!! You can even see me lying in some of my shoes, in the picture on the back of my album cover (see below).  Well I must admit that I LOVE my gray Rainbow sandals & chocolate brown UGG boots, but one of my favorite pairs of shoes are my champagne color Via Spiga heels, as they are comfy, classic & even have rhinestones on the straps!  These shoes are simple elegance with beautiful craftsmanship from Italy & a must-have for any shoe lover!! J

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