Video Wednesday

Today we feature Irma Thomas with "Wade in the Water."

SIMPLY SIX: John Michael

John Michael is the leader of the band MyNameIsJohnMichael from New Orleans.

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 ten years old, I wanted to be a professional athlete as many kids do. I was the smallest kid on the playground and my father informed me that small kids like myself don't make it as professional athletes. This crushed me frankly. He told me that there was something that I could do in which it didn't matter how tall you were. He bought me a guitar and I haven't stopped playing music since. 

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

People are often surprised to see me at a Jay Electronica show or to see me tweeting from the Grand Ole Opry. I love all types of music. As a matter of fact, I'm a music junkie. I've been recently listening to New Orleans bounce artists such as Big Freedia and DJ Jubilee(if you don't know what this is, you should find out), "Blood and Chocolate" by Elvis Costello, The National, Delta Spirit, Dolly Parton, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Debussy, etc. I dunno. I really love a lot of music. 

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

I think there are a few: 

a) the 52 project where I wrote, recorded, and released a song a week for all of 2008. It's the thing that started this band. I'm forever indebted to that experience. 

b)I think our next record that we are recording in June is going to be the high-water mark for us on record. 

c)Live??? It's a pleasure to share the stage with these guys every night. They truly are a magical bunch. I particularly love our experiences in NYC. 

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 that music can change a person's life as an individual. I think music can create ideas and idealism amongst people. That said idealism may not translate into actual results or change. The 60s taught us that. To say that music could create world peace is a bit ludicrous. It can propose the idea. I just want music to effect people the way it did for me, ya know?

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

Without technology, we wouldn't exist. Plain and simple. We were born out of a web project where we used Pro Tools, etc. That being said, I like the sound of vinyl records and the sound of analog tape in a studio. Nonetheless, I'm not going to go on a rant about how the internet and piracy has ruined music because it hasn't. Music is fine. The business of music is a bit strange right now, but just as the cassette tape didn't "kill music", neither will the web. Technology is essential to us. It's what we stemmed from.

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

I like this question. I would hope to be a pair of brown wingtips or penny loafers. I wear these shoes more than any other; and hopefully, I, like them, will never go out of style. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Chilluns

New Orleans has long had a tradition of musical families, the Nevilles and the Marsalis being the prime examples.  But a band I caught at last year's Jazz Fest follows that legacy.  Honestly I thought the band was more or less a one time chance for some musical family members to get together and play some great tunes, but here we are almost a year later and the group is playing Tipitina's this Friday night.  All the members have day jobs, so to speak, in other musical acts, but it's nice to see them continuing on in this form.

                                                                              The group is called The Chilluns and its members come from three New Orleans' musical families, from both generations.  The groups consists of the musical Fathers and their musical offspring.  The Fathers are Dave Malone, Spencer Bohren and Cranston Clements.  The offspring are Johnny Malone, DarcyMalone, Andre Bohren and Annie Clements.

Dave Malone is a founding member of one of New Orlean's best loved bands, The Radiators.  As a group they have recorded over a dozen albums and tour constantly.

Spencer Bohren has recorded over a dozen albums under his own name and many more with other artists.  He has performed on A Paririe Home Companion and teaches.

Cranston Clements is another long time guitarist that has played with many other musicians such as Maria Muldar and Irma Thomas.                                                                 

Even though all the 'kids' sing in the group, Johnny Malone is more of the front man and handles the majority of the singing chores, sharing them with his sister Darcy and handing off some songs to Annie Clements.

Darcy sings in a local band called The Tangles with her husband.  She has sung with the Radiators, The Pfister Sisters, Theresa Andersson and others.

Andre Bohren is the drummer in the group, which he also does for the group Johnny Sketch and the Dirty 

Notes.

The final member of the band is Annie Clements.  Currently Annie is a member of the country group Sugarland and tours with them.

The group does mostly covers of British invasion hits and songs from Motown, but throws in some songs from the various members.

This is a group that the members come together for the fun and joy of it and the audience can tell.  Where they go with it from here, if they even want to do more than just get together irregularly and play is up to them.  With this much talent in one group they could produce some really amazing music on their own if they wanted to.

Interview: Michelle White

Michelle White is a singer/songwriter and the daughter of legendary Tony Joe White.

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?


Hearing a new song as a little girl, by my father in the mornings over coffee. He played very quietly, with an acoustic. And I loved that.
Also, Roberta Flack's voice singing "That's the Time I Feel Like Making Love".

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

I listen to everything...currently Van Morrison, the Rebirth Brass Band, Peter Gabriel's new tune, Pat McLaughlin, Mary J. Blige's version of ONE with U2, Backwater Blues by Irma Thomas, Tony Joe White's crazy new album, DEEP CUTS and I have been revisiting some Waylon and WIllie and Stevie Wonder... and Bebel Gilberto, Sinead O'Conner,..telepopmusic has a great song, Buckley, Jason Isbell, soundtrack from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, ...peaches.

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

Playing The New Morning in Paris with my friends in the band, my cousin on guitar, and my Dad joining me...complete with a horn section from France. It was a perfect night.

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

Music changes everything. Music influences most of us every day. I think everything we say or do has an effect like a stone in a pond...rippling on and on- so what we create in music....does this in a profound way especially those artists who are listened to by the masses. I hope artists realize this...many I listen to are very aware of their effect. Just listening to Peter Gabrielle's song from Wall-E lifts my spirits and the molecules in my body.

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

Technology has given me quicker access to new music. Unfortunately it has all but stopped the income of small or middle ground artists like myself. Many of the greatest musicians and artists of my generation had to quit music as their full time job because there was not enough money generated due to the pirating of music. It is not in good shape and very disheartening. I wish that consumers understood that if they do not pay for their music, then many of the artists cannot continue doing music. Only the hugely successful and very young and willing to starve survive this industry right now.

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

I go barefoot.