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 don't know if there was one defining moment. I always loved to sing. When I was a little girl I would put on my white go go boots and sing "These Boots ArenMade For Walking" by Nancy Sinatra. I would use a hair brush for a microphone and stomp around the house singing. I don't think I ever stopped! I actually still perform that song when I play out
2 . When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of
your favorites?
I'm a huge music buff. I'm always listening to music when I'm not writing or performing. I love to listen to singer/songwriters first and foremost. Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams, Joy Lynn White, Darrell Scott and John Prine are some of my favorites. If the average person picked up my iPod they probably wouldn't have heard of most of the artists on it. I love discovering new music. I want to be able to hear the lyrics and I love story songs that pull you in. Most of mine tell a story.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record
or live?
Gosh. That's a hard one. I guess if I had to pick one moment that was true awesomeness for me it would be playing in a pro writers round at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN. I was invited to play a 2 hour show with 3 other pro writers. You can only play there by invitation and you have to go through an audition process. I was asked without having to audition. We played to a sold out crowd. In fact, I took some family and friends and there was no room for them to sit. We didn't know you needed reservations. I sold all of the CDs I brought with me that night. And, I was asked back to play another pro show there. It was one of my goals and I accomplished it much earlier than I had anticipated.
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 think music can change the world. It really depends on how you write it and perform it. You can touch people through music, even if it's just one person at a time. I wrote a song with my friend Jill Fair called "I Know". It's a song we wrote about an abused woman who ended up at a women's shelter and the help she found. I played it at a Festival once and a woman came up to me and say "Thanks, I'm going through that and your song made me realize there is help out there". She went on to tell me she was going to go to a shelter and I gave her information on how to do that. I also wrote a song titled "Real Men Wear Pink" as a breast cancer awareness fundraiser. It talks about that behind the scenes support person who is so important. I have had many men approach me telling me they didnt know what to do till they heard that song. It completely changed their role as caregivers to their wives.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected
your career as a musician?
Technology has been wonderful for me. I can now record a decent demo on GarageBand. I love it! You can copyright a song in 10 minutes. You can get your music on Internet radio stations. I have fans from all over the world thanks to Internet stations. Unsigned artists such as myself can finally get our music heard. And then you have the capability to buy digital downloads. I love that! I discover new music all the time that I would have never heard otherwise. And I always buy my music legally. Even as a listener and not just an artist, I love it. I really like going to Amazon or iTunes and pulling up an artist I like. Then I always scroll down to the section that says "people who bought that also bought...". I have found some fabulous unknown artists that way.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of
shoes would you be?
This is the hardest question. I had to think about this one. I'm a very grounded and down to earth person. I'm always the optimist and always trying to cheer someone else up. However I like a little bling and frill in my life too. So I'm going to say I'm a pair of leather yellow flats with a bow on the toe. Is that too specific? Ha ha. Being the shoe freak that I am, you kind of stumped me a little on this one. So am I ready for Barbara Walters now? Ha ha.
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?
1.From the time I first saw a violin at 2 years
old, I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I saw a video of
Itzhaak Pearlman playing a concert and something was ignited inside me which
told me this was my mission in life. I realize that’s a really early age but
from that moment on I never doubted what I wanted to do with my life. However,
there is one other moment that stands out in my mind as a moment that
re-affirmed my passion and assured me that I was on the right path. I was about
eight years old and Rhonda Vincent, a popular bluegrass artist, came to our
town in Mississippi to play a concert. We went to see her play and I was able
to go backstage and talk to her during the intermission. She had me play a song
for her on her fiddle backstage and was so impressed that she taught me a song
on the spot and invited me to come play it with her on stage. It was a sold out
crowd of a thousand people and that was my first real experience performing a
show. I remember being in the middle of the song and looking up and seeing the
shining light at the back of the theater. I don’t even really know what it was
I just remember seeing it and having this feeling of exhilaration that told me
“You’re on the right path. This is what you’re meant to be.”. From that point
forward I’ve never stopped pursuing my dream.
2 . When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of
your favorites?
Well I have a wide variety of musical interests
and inspirations. Some of the artists that have been most influential to me
are: Patty Griffin, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Willie Nelson, and
Ryan Adams. The artists that I currently listen to the most are probably:
Erykah Badu, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams, Tom Waits, Wilco, and
Ray Lamontagne. Other violinists and fiddle players that I really admire are:
Mark O’Connor, Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, and Vassar Clements.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record
or live?
Hmmm…there are so many incredible moments that I
look back on as some of the best moments of my life. I might have to pick a
couple! One that really stands out in my mind is performing when I was 12 with
Big and Rich at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville and the Tennessee Titan
Stadium for a sold out crowd of 60,000. It was an unbelievable experience. I
had been asked by ABC television to be in a special they were doing about young
and upcoming artists teaming up with big music stars. They chose me and a piano
player from NYC to fly to Nashville, meet Big and Rich, and be invited to perform
with them. I remember walking out on that stage, hearing the deafening roar of
the crowd, and feeling right at home. I never felt more comfortable in my life.
It was like I was meant to be there. The bass was booming really loudly wish
made my heart beat so fast. Seeing that sea of people was probably the most
exciting moment of my life. Again, I knew this was something I wanted to be
doing every single night! Other great moments were when I had the opportunity
to play both Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits music festival this year. At
my age to be asked to play those festivals was an incredible honor that I will
never forget. I was able to play with my band and my songs and sound. And I was
welcomed by amazing crowds at both events. It made me feel that all the hard
work is really paying off. I was so honored to be standing among amazing bands
at both of these festivals. There are tons more incredible moments but I really
feel that those three have stood out the most.
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 is one of the most
incredible tools that we have as human beings. Music, unlike anything else,
targets your emotion. You can be in a sad mood and then listen to your favorite
song and it can turn your whole day around. Music has an otherworldly
connection to our souls and has the power to change us as human beings. Music
more than anything else can change people’s way of thinking. So yes I believe
it has the power to change the world. If our entire world were to run out of
money tomorrow, everyone lose their jobs, crops die out, etc., we would still
have music. We would still have the ability to play music for people and make
them happy again. When you’re playing a concert, you have the power to reach
into people’s souls and make them forget about their crappy lives, if even just
for an hour. Music has the power to make people feel like they can do anything;
like they can turn their life around. It is one of the most incredible devices
that mankind has ever known.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Just like everything else in the world, music
will grow and change and develop. As technology grows and changes, our ways of
accessing music and listening to music will change as well. This is inevitable.
It’s pointless to try to stop it. It’s pointless to try to save the old ways
when new minds are being born and new concepts are developing every day. We
have to embrace the change and grow with it. It’s the only way to reach out to
the world. Youth is everything. And youths use technology. If we want to make
an impact with music, we have to reach out to them. And I don’t think the fact
that iTunes and other means of technological communications is a bad thing for
the music business. Record companies are dying out and it’s becoming about the
artist again. We’re not relying on rich executives to hire models and run them
through auto-tune in order to make a million bucks. The artist now has to reach
out to their fans themselves: through the internet. I think it’s wonderful. I love
having the ability to interact with my fans through Facebook, iTunes, blogging,
tweeting, etc. I think it’s gonna turn our ideas of how to “make it” completely
upside down. It’s an opportunity for us to grow as an entertainment business
and an opportunity for true music to stand out again.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Oh man this is tough! I would have to say
Converse. Not just because I wear them a ton, but because I’m not fancy, I love
to be comfortable, I’m unique and I want to fill your closets. Haha!
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 ofElvis 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 did not have a specific defining moment, I just liked to sing. I never sang out as a child, because my brothers would make fun of me -- so I stuck with piano. When I went to music school for college, it was a requirement to sing in the choir. My professor told me that I was good. That was the first time I even considered singing out...and my brother's don't make fun of me anymore (as much).
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
I am really into Elvis right now. I get on random music kicks, and Elvis is definitely king right now on my Itunes playlist. Dinah Washington, too. I also love Patty Griffin, Ray Lamontagne, Ricky Lee Jones and Grateful Dead. Texas artists like Bobby Duncan, Jason Eady, The Mystiqueros, Sam Baker, & Josh Grider are also high on my radar.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Playing with the band...in studio or live, is the greatest thrill of life. I honestly cannot pinpoint one specific instant, because we have had a lot of very special "moments"...and all musicians know what I'm talking about. The world stops, and everything clears, in real time. The more we play together, the more we tap into that presence, and the experience becomes increasingly more intense & deep & meaningful each time. It is beautiful.
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 100% believe that music can HEAL the world. I would not be devoted to this art if I didn't believe that to be true!
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
I dig technology. I think it keeps us on our toes, and it challenges us to maintain our artistry while staying current with how people communicate. We are forever evolving & growing & changing...like anything new, it is hard to keep up, but in many ways, technology gives independent artists an advantage to write music and grow their own business on their own. It also enables fans of music to spread the word, and share their thoughts to a larger audience, passionately & in their own words- and I believe that forum makes a huge difference.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Cowboy boots. Dependable, trustworthy, and they look cute with almost everything!
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 started writng the lyrics to radio songs when I was around 6. I had a book with all the tunes I loved written down, all the words. Guess I knew I would be a songwriter if I looked writng lyrics down at such an early age.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites? I am SO busy I don’t have much leisure time right now to listen, mostly in the car running to this show or that. Love Shawn Colvin, Michelle Branch, Patty Griffin.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? Definitely playing for a Race for the Cure show. Because my new album title track, “Urgency” was written after the diagnosis of my son’s immune disease, I feel such a strong connection with my music and survivors.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events? Because music is so personal to each listener and can strike them in ways that are profound, or soften them, or bring awareness through emotion…it’s more than just something to listen to. When each person is moved and changed, it changes things in a broader way in the world, one by one.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician? Technology continues to be astounding. I think it has affected music recording studios with the number of high tech home studios now. I loop some of my rythmn when I play solo, so that has made it easier for me as a solo to have a groove through great technology, which adds variety to my live show.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be? That MUST be a Barbara Walters question! I don’t know! Sneakers for comfortability I guess…
I continue to work towards sharing my music with chronic illness patients and awareness to immune deficiency illnesses…
I haven't heard a lot of Lauren Austin yet, but what I've heard I am enjoying greatly. She is a singer/songwriter from Nashville.
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?
Music has always played a major role in my life, but it wasn’t until I was about 14 that the idea of making a career of it entered my mind. I grew up a band and choir geek, so one day when my friend and I were singing along to the radio in the car, I thought, “hmm… why not do that for a living?”
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Everything. I’m really inspired by the diversity and creativity in music. I grew up in really small town, so for a long time I thought the only kind of music made was the country and top 40 I heard on the town’s two radio stations. When I moved out to Los Angeles, the variety blew my mind. One of my favorite radio programs became “Altville” which is a blend of Americana/Roots music. That turned me on to people like Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, and Lucinda Williams, and I thought it was about the coolest thing I’ve ever heard!
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
I would have to say experiencing that moment that every artist dreams of and hearing a song of mine on the radio for the first time. In the beginning of 2009 one of my goals was to have a song played on radio, and I just barely made the cutoff airing on December 31, 2009!
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Absolutely. I think music isn’t something we do or listen to; it’s a part of who we are as human beings. The state of music and the world are reflections of each other.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Technology has turned the industry upside down, and overnight. There are arguments on both sides as to whether that’s a good or bad thing, but that doesn’t change where we’re at. I see it as the new Wild West, and to me that’s an exciting advent with lots of opportunities.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Come on! I’m a girl and you want to limit me to one pair of shoes?? Well then, probably my boots. They’re made for work, but you can dress them up; they’re durable, versatile, and not a come-and-go trend, and as I face the long haul ahead of me in the industry, I hope to think that’s a lot like me.
Patty Griffin is an acclaimed singer/songwriter that gave one of the best performances of Jazz Fest. She's probably better known for some of her songs that other more famous people have covered. Dixie Chicks covered "Top of the World." Kelly Clarkson did "The Mountain" on one of those American Idol specials a few years back. I was surprised by the core group of her fans that were there. There was quite a group of people that knew her every song. It was a great show.
This week’s voice to hear has been recording since the mid nineties. She’s had a fair share of acceptance, her most recent album debuted at #34 on the charts, but she still is far from a household name. She’s Patty Griffin, currently living in Austin Texas and one of the most accomplished singer/songwriters currently working.
Her newest album Children Running Through was released in February of this year and a lot of magazine critics were already calling it the best album of the year, only two months in the year, but they felt it was such a strong album. Patty has always been a great singer, but on her new album her voice goes places she’s never visited before to bring the emotion for these songs. The album is more a stripped down affair, with some horns and strings, that bring to mind classic R&B and gospel music.
One of the songs from her new album “Up To The Mountain” was sung by Kelly Clarkson on the special edition of American Idol with guitar accompaniment by Jeff Beck. Patty’s songs have been widely covered by other artists. The Dixie Chicks have sung three of her songs on their albums. Other artists that have covered her material are Martina McBride, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmylou Harris, Solomon Burke and Bette Midler.
Patty was living in Boston waiting tables and taking guitar lessons when her teacher persuaded her to accompany him on stage one night. This helped her overcome the stage fright she had and enabled her to start performing in public. She soon landed a spot at A&M Records and her first album Living With Ghosts. The album was basically her stripped down demos released after trying to cut more elaborate studio versions failed. Her next album Flaming Red brought more sound to her songs and was somewhat of a surprise to her fans after hearing the more low key first album.
Her next album became a casualty of the ever changing world of the music business. The album was recorded in 2000 and was never released. Two years later she signed with Dave Matthews’ label and released the folk inspired mostly acoustic album 1000 Kisses. This was followed shortly by a live CD/DVD A Kiss In Time.
2004 she came out with a new album entitled Impossible Dream. “Top of the World” from this album was covered by the Dixie Chicks and the song “Kite” was used in the television show Joan of Arcadia in one of the best uses of a song for a show I think.
Her current album came out at the start of this year and is considered to be her best music to date. Her singing has never been better and the album finds her mixing gospel and R&B influences with her folk leanings. While I think it is too early in the year to call it the best album of the year like some critics have already done so I will safely concede that it will be one of the top albums of the year.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uhV6w4lE1sVJGCxRVHculQaUfYBKOOaRQi6HTG0Ku1-EHXBc_3Mw2BYI1R4gyjLoE1GXb0gV2ooGh274a8FN5D76NCRMcur_5O4G9RSpCkQKMfFPTE0ElCl-Zbx-Csg17PrmIW16clGFXvgM89zWk=s0-d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uYx7a7TcU36nqLCmKoe8AlPbw1-LYBRhu0Tf7w-dOLyH25bf8UjQQlyisC88Fqs6y5-AWTqyZusnafh85IpgPlO8U6Kh9OHlpyWIjNNOIRrVUuezvlBBcA-kiIzIXYAukIlBQd1OAK2tb210WysFs=s0-d)
