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: Susan Picking

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 think back to when I was in elementary school and I loved vocal music. My favorite teacher was the teacher who had us sing everyday.   My mom took me to musicals and inside I thought I could do that, and would be fun.....and yet as a kid I studied piano and cello.

About 15 years ago in Long Beach CA, I was hitting some tennis balls with a 7 year old girl.  She sang a song for me on the court and told me she was taking voice lessons.  I got the name of her teacher and immediately started to study voice.  I was working as a flight attendant at that time, and could easily bring my voice along on my trips and practice singing on my layovers.  I would practice vocal exercises into my pillow in my hotel rooms.  As crazy as I knew it was, it was so energizing and fulfilling.  I continued private lessons and studied music at Long Beach City College.  It was at this point that it hit me. “ I realized it was my passion, when I could practice for hours in solitude in a college practice room and lose time and forget to eat.” At that moment It wasn’t about performing, it was connecting to my voice and my passion and realizing I’d found it,  both my voice and my passion. 

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


The    favorites list is sooooo long.  There is so much good music out there.  I love just about all genres from classical, to native ethnic, to any Americana, jazz, gospel R &B , hip hop to country. MY BIGGEST INFLUENCE IS  70’s folk rock.....Carole King, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits.  I also LOVE Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.  A few female jazz icons whom I adore are Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone.  Contemporary Artists that I listen to are Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer, BrandyCarlisle, Cheryl Crowe, Alison Krause, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper..... I love to hear anything live, and listen to a lot of local Just to name a few......

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


There have been a couple of pivotal moments in my career this past year that confirm that I’m heading in the right direction.  One was my first appearance on eightWest  WOOD TV 8, an NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids MI.  It opened a lot of doors for me in Grand Rapids when I first moved there.  People took me more seriously as an artist.  Another one was being selected as a Top 10 Summer CD release in Grand Rapids by John Sinkevics writer for the Grand Rapids Press.  In Live performance there are always moments of feeling deeply connected.  One was performing as a vocal soloist and played the Bodhran,  with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra.  I performed a Traditional Gaelic Irish Tune with a Celtic group.  Another experience that was moving was having a Developmentally Disabled elderly man come up to me after a show and tell me that my performance raised his spirits.  That’s why I do it.

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


 Change starts from within on a singular individual basis. In other words, change happens when people change.  Societal or cultural  climate change occurs when collectively humans come together and create a shift.  Music can definitely influence a mood or a state of mind which can then influence change. Musicians and Artists are often at the forefront in leading this type of movement.  Historically musicians and artists have been visionaries who suggest different ideas and different ways of being through their art. Music can be inspirational and can inspire people to create change in their worlds.  It is also just something to listen to, if you are not open for change.  ;)

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


Technology has had a huge effect on the music industry.  From recording technology we have gone from very expensive studio recordings to DIY in home computer studio recordings making it affordable for all musicians. With DIY recording being so accessible to any musician......one does have to consider the varying expertise of this accessibility.  Technology has also made free music accessible corrupting the ability of musicians to make money off of their art, with piracy.  Technology has also made it accessible for the creative Indie Artist to make a living through various streams of social networking.  It has definitely assisted me through social networking to be able to reach larger audiences through the internet and social media.

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


I like making a statement while also being sensible.  I like a versatile shoe that is comfortable for the miles that I walk through life, as well as exhibits some personality of the wearer.  Ultimately I like it to have a lot of SOLE.  Chuck Taylor meets, Born, meets Manolo Blahnik, all with a reasonable price tag......DSW or Zappos.

Simply Six: Savio Rego

Savio Rego is an artist from San Francisco and Berlin.

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?
Peoples Reactions - I performed at several open mic, little shows in cafes and wine bars performing cover songs and a couple songs I wrote merely to test the reaction it would have on the audience. The reaction was people would come up to me after the show and ask if I had a CD for sale. That was the defining moment for me.


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Recently I've been listening to new material of Sade, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Norah Jones as well as a lot of Lounge music by various artists and then the occasional radio stuff when I'm driving.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Listening to my music on Commercial Radio. As of 1 week now, my song "Miss You" is played on BB Radio in Brandenburg, Germany.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Certainly, as a music lover and listener, it has changed things in my world. I think it's a very powerful and an effective way to communicate. For instance, listen to "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson and you realize it has a deeper message and crosses the boundaries of music made for just entertainment. So I say music can have a great impact on listeners if the contents resonate.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Immensely, you can pretty much find new listeners and make new fans online with social media and other online outlets such as blogs, podcasts and so on. I would attribute as little as 100% of my success to technology. From starting a little myspace music page to growing by fan base to networking to touring in Germany to hearing my music on Commercial Radio, all happened via the Internet. Of course it's the people that make it happen for you but without technology you wouldn't even find these people. The only downside is there is a plethora of music these days and with so many choices and options you really have to have something that would make a new listener want to invest their time listening to your music. And the answer is simply.....good music, So I think if you can start it right by writing music that will resonate with people, from there technology can work in remarkable ways.

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

SPOTLIGHT: Jeannine Hebb

Jeannine Hebb graduated magna cum laude from Berklee College of Music at the age of 20. She's been singing since she was 11. Her home base is New York City.

For two consecutive years, she won both the Berklee Singer/Songwriter and Songwriting Showcase competitions. She was chosen as the recipient of the Frank E. Remick and E. Ione Lockwood awards for excellence in music and vocal performance, and was honored with the Susan Glover Hitchcock scholarship for outstanding musicianship. Upon graduation, Jeannine received the Scott Benson scholarship for performing songwriters - the highest honor in the Berklee songwriting department.

Her style has been called pop/rock but it owes a certain amount of debt to jazz. She's been compared to singers such as Fiona Apple, Laura Nyro and Norah Jones. In 2007 she released an ep of new songs titled "Too Late To Change Me." She is currently at work on a new album that should be out before long.

Currently she plays in many of the more well known clubs throughout the Northeast. She has played with many Jazz greats and opened for Grammy nominated Tracy Bonham.

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