Simply Six: Robin Roberts

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?

For me....it began with Ricky Nelson way back in the days where he was featured and the end of "The Ozzie and Harriet Show" ........I would wait patiently every week hoping that he would be playing a song at the end of the show. I was just a little kid from a small Kansas town who fantasized about actually having a real guitar.....then it was Elvis...and then....THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!!!!!  As it turns out....... I've been playing and singing now most of my life...........

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

Growing up in the 60's I was always hooked on Rock'n Roll from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and all the rest........  and became a Bob Dylan fanatic the first time I heard "Like a Rolling Stone"....in the 70's I was lucky enough to get turned on to the songwriting of Hank Williams senior.....and that totally threw me in a different direction........I've played the guitar most all of my life....but got struck by the banjo bug real bad after hearing a guy picking at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas a few years ago..... these days....... I still love and listen to all kinds of music...but listen to a lot of bluegrass like "The Stanley Brothers", Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Allison Krauss, Bill Monroe and all the rest.........  very good stuff.......

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

I've played a lot of gigs with the folksinger Billie Preston since 2008 and it seems the high-light of our year the last couple of years has been playing Stage 5 at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas....it's a great crowd ....and a real good feeling.......to be playing there......and have a lot of folks singing along......with our songs.... 

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 believe music can change the world........   from Woody Guthrie singing "This Land is Your Land", to Crosby Stills and Nash singing "For What it's Worth", to John Lennon doing "Imagine".....and the beat goes on ...............

And yes, I believe music does influence current events by bringing a strong message to the masses...........whether it be about social injustice......... or the terrible costs of war........or the love felt in the spirit of Christmas

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

Technology has changed the music industry forever.... in gigantic and unbelievable ways.....from the simple things like electronic tuners.....to digital recordings and photographs........to the internet and each of us having our websites.....and Facebook.....and the ability to get our music out to the whole world from right here in Wichita, Kansas...... ...it's a crazy big world out there..........and it's just a click away.........

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

That would be a pair of nicely worn black and white Converse, Chuck Taylor basketball shoes............:) 

 

Simply Six: Jeremy Schonfeld

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?

 Not sure if there was one such moment for me. My mom says I began tinkering around on the piano and writing little songs at a very young age, 4-5, something like that. Of course, lyrics didn't really come together 'til much later, but I always sang along with what I played even when I didn't have much to really say!

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

I tend to go back to certain favorites. I really love the sound that Alison Krauss and Union Station get, just lush, achingly beautiful stuff. I love my 70's rock, especially when I'm in a car or driving. Bad Company, Skynard, Thin Lizzie, Boston, etc. and then there are the storytellers like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Of course, no piano-man can deny the influence of Billy Joel or Elton. I think I've always leaned towards the Billy Joel side of that argument because of the stories he used to tell and how expressive the music was in helping define those stories....And then there's the British side of things: Beatles, Stones, Who, Zep etc. Not much new in there unfortunately.

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

Been fortunate to have a few, and there are still many to come hopefully. I would have to say the whole process of recording my latest record, "Iron & Coal" in Vienna this year was a huge and emotional achievement. It's just the biggest, most detailed production I've ever done, and the experience of recording (then later performing) in a former Third Reich country really helped deepen an album that was already steeped in my personal family history. Performing for the opening ceremony of the first Maccabi Games held in a former Third Reich country this Summer in Vienna and Music directing/performing for the opening ceremonies two years ago at Madison Square Garden were both pretty cool moments as well.

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

That's a good question. I worry sometimes that we live in such a fast-paced, soundbite world where everything is streaming everywhere 'right now', that it's difficult to get anyone to focus on anything for very long. That, and the fact that we process music so differently now make the answer less obvious than it was, say even 10-15 years ago. Music and art in general should be able to change the world. But the world has to find a way to slow down, focus, and take it all in. On a personal note, songwriters need to go back to crafting songs again, and the industry at large needs to step away from the dance floor - but that's just me.

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

Plus and minus on this one: Plus side, it's so much more accessible now, which makes recording and creating infinitely easier for many artists. You don't have to be rich or get a big record deal to create cool exciting music. Hell, you don't even have to be in the building! People can collaborate all around the world without ever having to jump a flight etc. So that's good. On the downside, I think there are a lot more untrained musicians making music now because they can. Who needs to actually learn to play an instrument when all the technology does it for you? Singers don't have to really sing if you can fix everything in the studio, right? So, it's a definite mixed bag.

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

I gotta pair of vintage Frye round-toe cowboy boots that look great and are unique as hell. I get 'em re-soled every year or so, but they still get me where I need to go.

Simply Six: Van Muller

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?

 Well, I've been singing since I was a kid and I've had a few bands growing up, but for me my defining moment as a singer was when I saw this scene in the Scorcese's documentary about Bob Dylan, when he had just turned electric and people were calling him ''judas''. That scene touched me in so many ways and it felt so inspiring  watching Dylan breaking boundaries and facing the crowd, who felt totally betrayed, and yet he was absolutely passionate about it and believed in whatever he was doing and opening doors for. That was when I sad: That's it for me. That's the life time inspiration I needed to make sure I wanted to become a real artist.

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

Well, I kinda dig  classic, melodic rock and folk music, so you'll always hear me mentioning The Stones, Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow. But I also like to hang out in the Lower East side and listen to what's new, find new bands and new favorite songs. Depending on my mood I even listen to Coldplay, Jeff Buckley, Oasis, what I listen is directly related to however I'm feeling in that particular day. But I guess I really dig music in a general way.

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

 I would say both: having the chance to work and co-write songs with my amazing producers (Ken Rich and Tomek Miernowski) and share the stage with these awesome musicians that have been teaching me so much along the way. 

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

I'll take Friederich Nietzsche's quote for that: Without music, life would be an error. Music is inspiring , it's such a magical tool that has the power to heal people, it brings them hopes and dreams but just like any other kind of art, it could express bitterness, darkness and take emotions to a very obscure path. Well, that's why we're fortunate enough to have freedom to express ourselves, I just think that artists should know better how much of this wonderful power they hold in their hands, so that they could try to make a brighter and more colorful world out of it. 

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

These are revolutionary times in a way, internet, itunes, mp3, social networks. So it's really about making the best of it, using these gates to expose something good about yourself and your work, so that your fans will get to know you better and they will respect and support you even more for that. It's not about exposing yourself , it's about sharing the dream with as many people as you can. I don't see this revolution as a bad thing for Indie artists at all. There has never been in history of music so much freedom to create and expose your work the way we can do now, so it's really a matter of how you manage all that.

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

 

Oh I love this question! I would be a pair of country boots for sure! I have quite a collection of them, I really love it

Simply Six: Charlotte Sabina

Charlotte Sabina is a ten year old wonder from New York City.

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 actually didn't want to be a singer at all.  I just wanted to write music, and that I wanted to do ever since I started playing.  I used to make up classical pieces and play the piano at school during choice time and my class would listen and I liked having an audience.  They and my teachers are the ones who wanted me to add lyrics and make them into songs and sing them. Now that I do sing, I love it.   

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

I listen to lots of different kinds of music including classical and old time country and some punk rock music, but rock and roll and pop music are my favorite.  I like girls like Katy Perryand Taylor Swift a lot because they write their own music and they work really hard.  But I also like older music that my friends can't stand like Guns n Roses, Joan Jett and Fleetwood Mac.  I listen a lot to Coldplay, Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Elton John.   

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

When I played "Partner in Crime" for my little brother David.  I wrote the song for him and as soon as I played it he knew it and gave me a big hug.  

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

Did you see Beyonce and Chris Martin perform Halo in the Haiti relief concert?  Just him on piano and her singing, nothing else, not even an audience.  I think that song changed the world.  Artists who become successful can do a lot of good with their influence and many do.  I hope I can some day.  I do give money to Doctors Without Borders.  I hope that helps a little.

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

Jeff, my producer, tells me stories about the old days when it was harder to record. Maybe if I were a musician a long time ago I wouldn't have been able to record my music, which would make my life different. I don't know what people did before the Internet because I use it all the time to learn new chords or to listen to different songs, and to send my music to my family and friends.  So I guess the technology is good.  But there's always another side of the story. I know it's harder now for artists to make money because people listen to so much music on YouTube and don't always buy the songs.  

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

Converse sneakers that I could paint and design however I want. 

Simply Six: Israel Nash Gripka

Israel Nash Gripka is from New York.

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 it was my first performance of an orginal song.  I was in 7th grade singing this, well, 7th grade-minded pop song I had written.  Me and an acoustic guitar.  I thought, wow people dig this.  That was a rush and it was done for me.  I don't know where those recording went, but if you have them, we can negotiate.

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

I listen to a lot of Rolling Stones and Neil Young these days.  I have been amassing a pretty nice vinyl collection and have every Waylon Jennings record ever made.  I'm also really digging into Nilsson lately.  Timeless.

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

  I think it is always important that moments like that are happening regularly.  You know, I don't want to have my best moment be 2 years old.  These moments are happening all the time, but one of the best ones yet was definitely recording the new record.  It was just the closest people in my life in an old barn in the Catskill Mountains in June.  Late nights, bonfires, beer, guitars.  I don't think it gets better than that.

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

Well, I don't know if music can change the world, but I do think it is much more than something to just listen to.  I hope my music can affect people.  Kind of like individual reflections or movements.  I really want people to feel the music more than they hear it.  That's what exacts change, I think.  And it might not be a global change, it might just be an individual change, but to me, that is just fine.

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

Technology is real and I think a lot of people had been complaining about its adverse affects when the real discussion that some innovative people said was 'hey, this technology thing and global connection idea is cool, how can we use it?'  Sure, illegal downloads will happen and software makes it easy for anyone to make a record, but technology is not the white elephant in the room anymore.  Harnessing it to connect to your fans, giving them cool opportunities, special content, all of that.  Technology makes that happen.  Companies like Topspin and other innovative people are on to something really good.  

6.  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Cowboy Boots. They look good all the time.