SIMPLY SIX: Phoebe Sharp

Phoebe Sharp is a singer/songwriter from Tennessee.

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?

To be honest, I can't remember there being a specific defining moment where I suddenly decided that I wanted to be a singer. I definitely don't have such epic memories as watching Elvis or the Beatles for the first time. Music was just part of who I was from birth. It just came naturally. Although none of my family is musical, I for some reason had this overwhelming desire to create music. From about 3 or 4 years old I started to create little songs, granted they were certainly not grammy winners! I always wanted to create music, however I think the moment that I realized that being an artist was not just a dream but a very real possibility was when I met the band Pairadeux from Denver, Colorado in 2006. They taught me a lot about songwriting and helped me to record some of my songs. They also introduced me to the Kaua'i Music Festival in Kaua'i, Hawaii where I made some fantastic industry contacts and got introduced to my producer in Nashville, Cliff Downs. Another little fun fact that has always stuck with me may sound crazy, but my Mom got talked into seeing a psychic by her friends when I was only a little baby and the psychic told her that I would travel the world because of music. Quite the freaky coincidence that I am actually pursuing music! :)

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

When I'm not creating music, I absolutely love to listen to the greats like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Eagles, and Michael Jackson. I also love some more current artists such as Ben's Brother, Sara Barielles, Coldplay, The Fray, Demi Lovato, and U2! I basically love any type of music so I listen to a lot bands, but it would take way too long to list them all!

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

I would say my greatest moment as an artist so far was not from performances, but actually happened just recently online. I have been getting a ton of support from fans on my myspace page and they have been sending out bulletins to their friends trying to spread the word. Just recently I discovered that two of my fans made videos telling people how much they loved my music and telling everyone to check it out! They are even making videos to my songs. I think that's the most rewarding moment as an artist to know that your music touches people and that they care about it so much that they are willing to do whatever they can to help you out and tell everyone about it!

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

I definitely believe with all my heart that music can change the world. Music is the universal language. It speaks to people in a way that words alone cannot. It reaches deep into the soul and can draw up overwhelming emotions in people. It can inspire them to do things that they never thought were possible. Music can be very powerful and if used in the right way, can help spread the word about making our world a better place.

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

Technology has definitely affected my career as a musician. It has allowed me not only to have the ability to record tracks in my own home, but has also allowed me to create instrumental tracks in the studio that I would normally not have had access to. It allows you to create an entire orchestra with only a midi hookup and a keyboard, although nothing can beat the real instruments of course. It also has allowed myself, and other artists around the world to create new unique, synthesized sounds and effects to fully convey their concept for the song. With the new technology, there are almost limitless possibilities to the sounds that can be created. But there is more than just recording technology that has forever changed the music industry. The internet has become a huge force recently, allowing artists like myself to promote, share, and sell their own music independently through sites such as myspace. It has allowed me to share my music with people from around the world who normally would not have been able to hear it! Technology is fabulous! However with it comes disadvantages such as illegal downloading of songs which is really affecting the music industry and artists! I tell everyone I can to please support their artists and purchase their songs :)

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

Wow, this is probably the toughest question yet! :) Hmm...I would have to say that I would be a flip flop. I absolutely love flip flops, especially because I am obsessed with Hawaii and that is definitely the official shoe over their (although they are called "slippers" there!). :) Flip flops can be fancy and cute but they can also be comfortable and easy going. I guess my personality is sort of like that :)

Will Hoge In Accident

We don't report too much on the news here at Voices to hear, but felt like we needed to pass this along. Our favorite Will Hoge was in an accident in Nashville earlier today. His scooter was struck by a van failing to stop at an intersection. Will was returning from the recording studio where he was working on his new album. He is listed in critical condition but the doctors say they expect him to recover. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Mr. Hoge and his family.

Shelby Lynne

Shelby Lynne Moorer is the sister of the country singer Allison Moorer. She goes by the name Shelby Lynne. She started out as pretty much a country singer, but over the years has moved more towards soul and r&b without completely forgoing her connections to country music.

Today as I write this, Jan 29, 2008, Shelby is releasing her newest album. It's entitled Just A Little Lovin', subtitled "Songs Inspired by Dusty Springfield". Nine of the songs on this album are songs Dusty has made famous on her albums, one is an original. Dusty's music has always been very lush, full of strings and accompaniment. For her album Shelby decided that it wouldn't do to try and compete with these arrangements, she has stripped the sound down to just a spare piano and guitars and her wonderful, thrilling voice.

Shelby's early life often over shadows her music. As children, Shelby and her sister Allison, lived in a house with an alcoholic father. One day the father came home and shot his wife and than himself. The two sisters moved in with a sister until Shelby reached the age of 18 and married for a brief time.

Shelby moved to Nashville and secured a recording contract. Her first album Sunrise contained a duet with George Jones. The next year she released Tough All Over and the year after Soft Talk. Even with winning the ACM's Top New Female Vocalist in 1990 none of her albums made much a impression in the music industry.

Being fairly strongly opinioned about the course her music should take and not liking the fact that she had little control with a big label she left Epic and moved to the smaller label Morgan Creek and released Temptation there before it folded and she released Restless from Magnatone.

For the next three years she released nothing. Than in 1999 she released I Am Shelby Lynne. Released in England first the album became a big hit and didn't come out in the USA until the next year. This was a new sound and look for Shelby and the album became a critical and commerical hit. This is one of the best albums of the decade.

She's released a few more albums since than, but none have reached the heights of that album either commerically or critically. In the Johnny Cash bio movie she played Johnny Cash's Mother.

Shelby is an artist that in not content to rest on past accomplishments and continues to look for ways to advance her talents.

The song is "Your Lies" taken from her I Am Shelby Lynne album.

Buddy Miller

This week’s voice to hear is Buddy Miller. Buddy calls Nashville home and is an in demand session player and producer as well as a superb songwriter and singer. He also records with his wife Julie. Besides country music Buddy considers himself a Christian singer, though it might not be quite the church music you’re used to.

Buddy started out playing in a bluegrass band in high school. After traveling the country playing his guitar he ended up in New York with the Buddy Miller Band with a young Shawn Colvin singing and playing guitar. After a few years of this he ended up moving to Nashville. Along the way he met and fell in love and eventually married Julie.

Buddy is the leader of Emmylou Harris’ band and has helped produce her more recent albums. She has called Buddy one of the best guitar players of all time. He has gained fame as a songwriter, with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn covering his songs.

Buddy is not just a behind the scenes person though. He has stepped out front to write and sing his own songs, as a solo act and with his wife Julie. He has released 7 albums between his solo career and with Julie.

His most recent disc is Universal United House of Prayer. It’s a country album that rocks, a protest album, a gospel album…there are many things this album could be called, among them I would call it great. This is a theme album and the theme is the soul. He writes of the problems the word is facing today and their impact it has on the soul. The centerpiece of the album is his covering the Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side.”

Even more recent Buddy has produced a new album for soul great Solomon Burke called Nashville. His album Universal United House of Prayer won the 2005 Album of the Year award from the Americana Music Awards.

Buddy is widely sought after for his musical skills and knowledge, both as a guitar player and a producer in Nashville. He continues to tour with Emmylou Harris and record with others as well as put out his own music and record with his wife Julie. It’s been a few years since he put out his last album so hopefully he has something new coming out soon.