Simply Six: The Weekenders

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 always been a drummer and guitar player that focused on instrumental projects simply because we could never find the right singer.  One day I was singing in the car and my girlfriend  told me I should sing. It took some convincing and practice before I felt comfortable but I think she was onto something. 

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

Medeski, Martin and Wood is my favorite band of all time. Their approach, style, mindset, talent and groove is unmatched. After 20 years they are still exciting to me. 

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

Everytime we play live and it clicks is the greatest moment. It keeps getting better and better.

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

Music sets the mood, affects the culture and has proved to be a catalyst in many movements.  I'd like to see some sparks fly again. I think it's been a while since a prolific artist has really stirred the pot. 

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

Technology allowed me to build my own recording studio with a few thousand dollars.  I recorded the entire album in my spare bedroom and never felt hindered by the quality of my gear.  It's crazy what a few decent mics and a computer can achieve. 

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

Saucony Jazz.

Simply Six: Mark Etheredge

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?

In spite of my brief love affairs with 70's pop acts like Captain & Tennille and Neil Sedaka, I was drawn deeply into the songwriting of Lennon and McCartney. I got so lost in the records of The Beatles which my brothers played when I was growing up (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, Abbey Road). I wanted to create music with that kind of story, depth and emotion. Singing would be part of it, but I wanted to write and record (produce) the songs as well. I think I may be a control freak.

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

I have a pretty wide range of musical taste. I still like Steely Dan and Donald Fagen's solo stuff. I think his Morph the Cat album is brilliant. I'm also digging Katy Perry, Adele, Foster the People, Coldplay, Scissor Sisters, Jamiroquai, Monkey Majik and lots of others.

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

I think back to some gigs I played Hammond B3 organ for a weekly gospel gig at a church in SF in the 90's. There was some pretty intense musical moments there. But I'd honestly say my work on Change Coming represents my best so far. In spite of the fact I'm not religious, some of the gospel sounds made their way into the album.

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

Music is powerful. What we listen to influences our perspective, either in a healthy way or not. I feel that the music I create comes with a huge responsibility, and I take it pretty seriously. Musicians can and do influence current events. Look at Bob Dylan and his involvement with the civil rights movement. Look at Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) and his educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. Look at the Dixie Chicks--they raised awareness with their stance against war. The music is important, but it's also about what's behind it, what the musicians care about, and that has an effect in raising awareness. I believe musicians have a responsibility to speak their minds.

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

Wow. Things have changed so much in the last few years. There are many great DIY tools for musicians now, and the playing field is more even. It also means more people have software apps that make recording easier, and there's a temptation to try to do everything yourself. On the social side, musicians need to put in the effort keeping up with social networking sites or find help to manage it. To me, the best part is that it's easier to keep in touch with fans. I love interacting on Facebook and Twitter.

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

Converse All-Stars. Easy going / funky / retro.

Simply Six: Jesse Terry

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?

Man I wish I could say it was as cool as the Beatles on Ed Sullivan!  I always loved singing but I didn't really fall in love with it until I started writing songs; because I knew that working on my singing was going to have a big impact on getting my songs across..  I started writing songs at around nineteen years old and I started learning everything I had grown up listening to.  I learned every Beatles song and every James Taylor song.  I think learning all of those songs and emulating all of those great artists made me a better singer and songwriter  hopefully I soaked up just a tiny bit of that genius. 

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

Oh so much music..  Always listening to the classics, from Frank Sinatra and Buck Owens to Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne.  I just love great music.  I listen to a lot of my peers too..  lots  of indie artists that aren't household names (that really should be!).  I just played some shows with Beth Wood and James Casto that were so inspiring..  I have some shows coming up with Michael Logen, Lizanne Knott, Liz Longley, Tony Arata and Angela Kaset that I'm so stoked about.  As far as household names I'm really digging on Grace Potter, Brett Dennen, Kimbra, Brooke Fraser and Ryan Adams right now.

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

Both of my CD release shows have been EPIC!!  Great moments...  The kind of moments you work for, sacrifice for, save for...  I love being in the studio and making records... love being around the players, engineers, producers etc and witnessing a recording's birth...  beautiful accidents happen and you can never predict exactly how it will sound.  I wish I could make a couple records a year.  It's such a great hang with my bunch of guys and gals.

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

Absolutely.  But I think it's important not to take it too seriously either.  It's our heart and soul..  It's our fears, our hopes, our desires, our losses, our love, our failures on display...  But, it's also supposed to be fun!  I always try and remember that before a big show or showcase.  HAVE FUN!!  But yeah, music can change the world.  I know because it changed mine.  It literally turned me away from drugs and negativity and gave me an incredibly positive outlet.  Music in public schools reduces crime, increases intelligence, reduces drug use, reduces violence...  That's been proven in various studies.  So I think that's world changing stuff.  The higher my star rises the more I can help causes.  It's part of what drives me to be a household name.  I think music can influence current events too.  We're not really in an age of protest music but music is powerful and we know how it can influence people.  That's why they get folks Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder and James Taylor to perform at political events.

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

HUGE question!!  It's completely affected the music industry.  It's made some things much better, like the ability for folks like me to make a world class record and spread the word about my music.  It's leveled the playing field in some ways and eliminated the record label gatekeepers.  But it's also made things really hard for some folks, mainly the songwriters who don't perform live and never intended to..  the majority of their royalties are being stolen by piracy and that's how they used to feed their families.  Is that right?  Isn't there ample advertising money that can be distributed to these folks, just like radio distributes money to songwriters?  I don't know the answer now but I know a lot of these songwriters and I feel for them.  It's a changing industry and generally I embrace what's going on and find out how to adapt to it.  As a performing artist I can always make money by performing live.  Folks still value that and will pay for it.  I'm so grateful for that! I do think that music has been de-valued a bit and I do believe that art still has value.  I think a record costs about as much as it did twenty years ago, right?  I choose to give away a lot of my music away for free, in exchange for email addresses... but that's MY choice.  As a touring artist, an email address can be more valuable than an iTunes download.  I love my fans and want to connect with more folks out there.  Technology helps me there.

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

I'm a flip-flops guy in summer, chuck taylor guy in winter..  I like to keep it casual and chill.  I'm a musician and even though I work my ass off I don't want this to ever feel like a real job!  Cheers and keep in touch..  Thanks for the interview, Jesse  www.noisetrade.com/jesseterry 

Simply Six: October Project

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?

JULIE:  YES I wanted to be the girl in Jesus CHrist Superstar who sang "I Don't Knoow How To Love Him" - I think her name was Yvonne Elliman.  Either that, or JUDAS from the same musical - when he would sing, "JEEEEEEEEESUS!!!!! in this CORD-RIPPING crazy scream."  I was never sure if I wanted to sing the Man Part or the Lady Part because my voice goes so LOW.  I actually TAUGHT myself "I don't know how to love him" and SANG it into the family tape recorder one day when I was 7 and my brother and his High School friends came and FOUND MY SECRET TAPE of PASSIONATE self-confession and ACHINGLY sincere 7-year-old love and I heard them playing it in the kitchen and laughing til their pants were wet.  THAT WAS THE ABRUPT END OF MY SINGING CAREER - in fact, I think I was mute from THEN until I finally started Living The Dream again at 40.

MARINA:  My mother was an opera singer, so when I was really little I used to imagine operas in my head and walk around the neighborhood singing.  I am also a bit embarrassed to admit that I REALLY loved The Carpenters and imagined myself as Karen.  But my earliest inspiration had to be the Beatles.  I used to love to trade off singing all the vocal parts, melodies and harmonies, and often wasn't sure which was which.  I was a big Monkees fan, as well :)  As for a defining moment or moments, I'd say it was any time I came across a song of such tremendous beauty or impact that there was no better way to get its particular message across other than by singing the song.  Songs in that category for me would include Ani Di Franco's "Sorry I Am" and Billy Joel's "And So It Goes."

EMIL: Singing solo in public was never in my playbook, and it still isn't. However, the most ecstatic joy I will ever likely experience is the singing I do every time I compose.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?

JULIE:  Yesterday I listened to Antony and the Johnson's weird "Cut The World" (with Willem Dafoe in the video getting his throat cut) about 100 times.  I am like that.  When I love something I gorge on it.  Unfortunately, my sixteen year old was (unbeknownst to me) overhearing me and going Out of His MIND!!! (Not an Antony fan, I guess - go FIGURE!)  Anyway, I listen to a lot of Paste Magazine -type favorites -for new music.  I listen to ANYTHING someone else tells me they love. I LOVE other people's playlists.

MARINA:  I am grateful for JULIE's playlists!  I am a recent fan of Feist and her Metals CD. I am also ASTONISHED by the mulit-layered vocals of Imogen Heap ("Hide & Seek!").  I have also recently unearthed my collection of  classical CDs from storage and am excited to start introducing my favorite pieces to my twins.  

EMIL: Any one of the internet opera networks. A good aria slays me, turns me into a faucet. Without fail.

Who are some of your favorites?

JULIE: My own favorites - LOVE Heather Nova and want her to put out new music. Love Dave Matthews.  Imogen Heap.  

I also love Pop and will listen to Elli Goulding or Kelly Clarkson or some of the American Idol people even - especially when they do covers of great songs.

I think I"m really more of a SONG person - if the SONG is good and compelling and mysterious I will like the artist.

MARINA:  I think I've had Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush" in my CD player at home for months!  I love CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan but also U2, Keane, Coldplay.  I love harmonies in music, especially, and have to admit that I take in the music first, lyrics second.  I take the lyrics in more gradually.

EMIL: I sacrifice a fatted calf weekly on the altar of The White Album.

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

JULIE: Oh, DEFINITELY my finger cymbals playing on our first album.  FIRST rate.  I am an AWESOME finger cymbalist.

I love cymbolic things.

Okay, but seriously, I am very proud of my Spoken Word appearances with October Project - "I give good word"

and I am REALLY thrilled with my SINGING on UNCOVERED.  I started singing so LATE IN LIFE (see above traumatic experience from Question #1) that it is a true victory to be singing with as accomplished a vocalist as Marina and OMG WE HAVE ALMOST NO REVERB!!! HELP we are WAITING for some nice big fat REVERB on the album!! I am very proud of these "freckles and all" recordings.

MARINA:   Performing in Bali with Andreas Vollenweider was a peak moment, but I'd have to agree with Julie that I am especially excited about the Uncovered recordings.  If you want to know what we sound like, there is no better example than the songs on these two EPs.  Touring with Sarah McLachlan was also a peak experience, especially our first performance with her Penn's Landing in Philadelphia before 10,000 people or so.

EMIL: The string session for the first OP album. Incredibly moving, and I don't really know why.

 

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

JULIE: I think some  music DOES change the world and that is why certain religions and politicians have FORBIDDEN music.  Music is very powerful.

Music gives VALUE to so many other forms of art and commerce.  Music moves ideas.  

HOWEVER, SOMETIMES music is just there to make the day better!! for one person and HEY that just changes the world for one person, but One Person can be tremendously differetn from music and then effect MANY others.  

MARINA:  Music HAS changed the world!  I have been reading "This Is Your Brain On Music" which is filled with incredible information about how formative and significant music is to human beings.  Julie, Emil & I did a Workshop a few years back at the Omega Institute called "Good Vibrations" in which we explored the ways in which using the human voice to emanate sounds relieves stress, promotes well-being, and literally changes the 'vibe' in the room.  There is no question that music is VERY IMPORTANT and can have a positive, healing influence on both individuals and groups.

EMIL: Art changes the world, because it helps define the world -- and music still counts as art (despite all the music).

5. How has technology affected the music industry?

JULIE: It has completely changed the way we create, record, listen and share.  It has changed the landscape to be absolutely unrecognizable from its previous ways of being.  It has also changed the economics of music as a business, in some REALLY terrible ways for writers and some really POSITIVE ways by opening gateways of sharing music that didn't exist before.

MARINA:  Has there been a more rapid and dramatic transformation of an industry than what has happened to the music industry in the last few years? Napster appeared a dozen years ago and I-Tunes was launched ONLY FIVE YEARS AGO. While the rampage of unpaid sharing of music files begun by Napster was hard to stem, there seems to be an understanding now that one ought to pay for music at least SOMEWHERE along the line.

EMIL: It took an enormous shit into music industry's mouth, and killed it. But it was worth it, because now we have "Charlie Bit My Finger."

How has technology affected your career as a musician?

JULIE: So much more is possible - and in our own hands.  That is a good thing..

File sharing, however, has made it very difficult to make a living for writers.  So, for most if not all musicians, the idea of making money FROM MUSIC is challenging.

On the other hand, technology invites and facilitates creativity - so we just try and extend that creativity not only into the work itself but to how it will now move in the world.

MARINA:  Technology has been in the service of music for quite some time now. The move to the internet has made EVERYTHING accessible, but because there is so much music available there now, it is harder for any particular music to break through.  One very positive effect of the internet is that bands and records can have an infinite afterlife.  Even when physically absent for a period of time, one remains digitally ever-present.

EMIL: Imagine it's 1908, and you just spent your whole life apprenticing to become a blacksmith, and spent your life savings on an anvil and a furnace and a place to hammer, believing "There's always gonna be a demand for guys like us in world full of horses!" Then Robert Moog builds the Model T!

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

JULIE: a pair of Manolo Blahnik high heels

MARINA:  white patent leather go-go boots

EMIL: Horseshoes.

Simply Six: Eric Erdman

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 know it isn't as romantic a story if I say I've always loved music and performing but that's the fact. One of my earliest memories is being 3 years old and crawling on stage at my cousin's wedding reception and singing with the band (I knocked 'em out with a rendition of "Zippety Doo Dah" by the way). And I've really been singing, writing, performing ever since. 


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

Oh man. I listen to so much music it's hard to narrow it down. 
There are artists who greatly influence me and inspire me, like James Taylor , Jim Croce, David Wilcox, Mac MacAnally, Sting, Rodney Crowell that will always spring into my rotation. However a lot of times I'm listening to people I've written with or toured with or just encountered while touring. Some examples are : Ross Newell , Kristy Lee, the Hussy Hicks, Amanda Williams, Wes Loper, Josh Ewing , Les Hall , Gregg Fells, Ryan Balthrop, Beverly Jo Scott, Lisa Mills, Dale Drinkard Jr, 
Hank Becker, ....I could go on for days. These artists are incredible.

I listen to the people I idolized when I was younger and it reminds me of the magic music can possess, but I listen to these new fresh artists and their songs excite me like nothing else. 
    I guess I feel like when I listen to my Heroes (David Wilcox and the like) I feel like I want to go fix, edit and polish my songs. When I listen to my colleagues and contemporaries I want to go write more songs. 
    Each is inspiring in a different way so I try to make my playlist full of a healthy dose of each. 

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

I'm going to cheat and give you 2 moments: 

First, About a month ago I was asked to do a Tribute to Woody Guthrie in Brussels at an amazing outdoor festival (Brosella Folk and Jazz Festival). The surroundings were wonderful (it was in a lush green amphitheater basically underneath the Atomium) , the other musicians were great (I played with Beverly Jo Scott and her amazing band, and Rick Hirsch), and the whole thing just felt good.
    Musicians often speak of the energy of the crowd. Well that day at Brosella I felt it more powerfully than I ever had. My songs meant something to that crowd of people and I could feel it. It was definitely a special moment for me. 

Another special moment that had extreme importance to me was playing the July 4th celebration at Pearl Harbor. I have played 3 USO tours and there are thousands of special moments from those tours which I'll never forget.  Easily one of the most powerful of these moments was being on a huge concert stage with the US ships as our backdrop and 10,000 service men and women in attendance....I still get goosebumps from that one to this day. 

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

I'm always writing down little snippets of phrases or things that strike me poetic. Here is one of my snippets from last week:

"If these songs can't stop wars, let's write more songs"

I'm sure I will weave that into a future song or blog post or book, but I say it here because I think it illustrates my answer to your question. I believe there is immense power in song. Absolutely there is enough power in songs to change the world. I have zero doubt of this. 

I always go back to the simple but accurate phrase "music is a language". That is 100% true. And it is a language that can often speak across borders in a way traditional language cannot. 
So with that being said , what problem can't music help solve? 
Armed with music we can make connections and communications with other cultures which would be impossible otherwise. With enough of that communication and connection I believe most human conflict can be eliminated. It may sound too "pie in the sky" or utopian but I believe it is true. 

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

   Wow. This one is a monster. Technology has almost changed the music industry to a point it should be called something else. 
   From a creation standpoint, technology has lowered production costs unbelievably. It is now possible for an artist to posses his or her own studio, make broadcast quality recordings, subsequently market and distribute that music to the world. In this sense technology is freeing the artist. 
   Additionally technology ( the Internet ) has allowed things like drastic capitol generating (via kickstarter.com or pledgemisic.com, etc) , it has created alternate performance options (via online shows through sites likeStageIt.com) and it allows artists to cheaply garner an actual PR firm (i.e. Ariel Publicity) to do a global marketing push. 
  These things weren't options before recent technological advances. 

   Of course there is the other side to the coin. Technology has allowed people to very very easily illegally download music for free. The numbers have been so often documented it doesn't really need repeating but suffice it to say this action has drained billions from the music industry. 
   I don't want to write a novel about it (I'm sure you have a word limit. So i'll at least try to be brief Hahaha) 
  This creates a very peculiar state of affairs. 
   I'll use myself as a hypothetical example. I make an album. Let's say it costs $30,000.  Person A loves my album. They illegally download it. They love the album and therefore decide to buy two Eric Erdman t shirts, an Eric Erdman bumper sticker, a pair of Eric Erdman underwear for their girlfriend, etc.
   Person A has purchased things that put money into my overall business. This is good right?
What's so strange about that?

I'll tell ya.  

This leaves us with a massive group of consumers who have decided collectively to devalue the actual product they enjoy (songs) and are only willing to purchase products (stickers, shirts, etc) that are indirectly related to what they love (music). 
    This is weird and it changes everything. There are a bunch of musicians and songwriters who are unimaginably talented at making music and songs. That's what musicians are supposed to do right?......not anymore. 
Now society has basically looked at the musician and said " We know you are a musician, and we love your music ......but aren't paying for it, 'What else ya got?' ."

    It's just strange to me. Imagine a similar thing happening at a tire store. Every customer comes in and says, "Sir, you have incredible tires. We love your tires better than all the other brands. We are going to steal your tires. But we love your business so we will buy some wiper blades and air fresheners to help support your business." 
It reminds me of a Monty Python skit or something. 

So to try to finally answer your question, technology has freed the artist to create and distribute cheaply but it has also caused a strange shift in value. 
It has most definitely affected the industry. 


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

I'd be the pair of bright red sneakers (no laces) which I am currently wearing. I recently had to replace a wardrobe because an airline lost my luggage while I was on my European tour. Probably due to sleep deprivation I bought the loudest, most ridiculous shoes I saw in the airport. I then promptly removed the laces. The shoes do not go with anything I own but I have been wearing them a lot. 

These shoes survived strife and lots of travel and they are just odd. Just like me. 

Simply Six: Patty Mattson

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?

  Yes, I'd say as far as performing, It was when I was 6 and felt compelled to Imitate Lily Tomlin's Characters Edith Anne and Ernesdine which I saw on TV. As a Singer... it was definitely seeing A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand. I listened to that record to death and sang every note with her. I loved it. I knew then, that was it for me.

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

  Wow, that's hard, I have an array of all time favorites, and I listen to popular radio, (I feel radio is still vital to reaching the listening public), as are the new popular online sources like Spotify. I put my top fav 50 records of all time on my blog if that helps at all. http://pattymattson.com/42-of-my-top-favorite-albums/ 

My interests are somewhat broad as I get in the mood for different stuff, so I might listen to a Jazz station, then R&B or top 40 or Country, and then my own record or a classic Fav. Station wise, XM Satellite Radio's Classic Rock Station, LA's 100.3, 103.5, Country 105.1, 95.5, 93.1, 97.1, 104.3 & 102.7, in Minneapolis KQRS, Cities 97.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? My musical dream was to do CD of my original material that was world class, to hear my songs on Radio TV & Film, and go on tour if possible. Once I got the first Record done I just wanted to keep going....see my creations come to life and know they touched someone's heart or helped their life in some way. Completing "The Road" was huge for me....

I'd say my greatest moment...may be yet to come. My Christmas EP will be out Nov 1 and there is some amazing stuff on it. I also have all the songs for my 2nd CD ready to go. As for my greatest Live moment...I'd say it was with a little band called The PainKillers at Windjammers Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey. No pressure, just a bunch of A players having a great time. It allowed me to really have fun.... It wasn't about money there, or fame, just enjoying playin' and sharing your gift with a small group of folks that support you. Lots of love in that room.

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 believe music can change the world because each of us as individuals, are the key to that. We all listen to some kind of music and it has the power to do a lot of things, most positively and importantly; uplift, inspire, motivate, soothe, encourage, comfort and drive us on with a broad range of stories that touch someone's heart beyond the writer. Music completes film and conveys a level of emotion that only music can and on so many levels. Plus, we R one. Change starts with each of us doing...even a little something. Music inspires that motion.

I wanted to leave something behind that would help someone. I think I may have now.

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

   Technology is inevitable, we, most mankind, hunger to grow in some way, to learn and to reach new ground/evolve. It's a good thing in many respects, as it allows artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs a chance to get their work out there, in ways that 10 years ago they could not. This gives many opportunity, which is wonderful...Yet... not so wonderful, as there is more out there for all of us to sift through, much of which, is not good.

Also, with the advent of music being given away for free, (when a world class record costs 10's of thousands to make and even more to promote, which is often the reason many artists have to stop, as funds run out), is really, not good. 

Imagine for a moment If you spent countless hours crafting an amazing book, $25K finishing & printing it, $10-15K on packaging and a little promotion, (all of it using your OWN money), only to find out all your neighbors got a copy from a friend for free, made copies and gave them away, or sold them at a discount in another country while you didn't clear $80.00. How would you feel? 

If you were able to make a living off the book, in some other way, then the giveaway would be cool with you, as you'd also want folks to read it, and enjoy it. 

But if you can't write any more books when you are REALLY good at writing books, because you can't make enough money to even cover the costs of writing the first one....You'd have to quit. Not Cool. Especially for those that ARE really good at writing books and it's their gift.

It's a difficult conundrum.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be? Ha ha ha ha ha, you're funny!!

  Shoot, I only get to pick 1?....I'm a Jacket and shoe person so....Cool stylish boots VS my camper high healed tennis shoes in every color..... Camper High healed Tennis shoes in every color. (BTW I've been trying to contact that company to get more as I only have 1 pair in Dark blue that I've repaired to death. I've gotten no response. If you have any Ideas on reaching them I'd be psyched!!)  : o )

Simply Six: Shannon Haley

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 I had a series of moments like these that built on themselves. The first one I can remember is when I was very young, probably around five years old because it was right around the time my parents were getting divorced, I was in the car with my mom with the windows down and we were singing at the top of our lungs to James Taylor. I remember having a feeling that I couldn't verbalize at the time, but I knew I felt connected to something deeper, almost spiritual. I knew I wanted to be singing with James, but just not from the car. This feeling has stuck with me and it's probably the reason that it seems to be literally impossible for me to walk away from making music. The other moment that sticks out for me is the first time I wrote a song. I was in 3rd grade and I felt like the song hit me from out of nowhere. I just started singing lyrics. Writing songs is one of the biggest parts of why I want to sing, and it is my main fuel.

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

I still don't go for longer than a week without listening to James. Right now I'm listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter's new album. My favorite go-to artist who I will never stop loving is Sheryl Crow. I also love The Script, The Fray, and the occasional country song from the 90s. 

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

Right now I'm most excited about a song that I wrote for my duo project, "Haley & Michaels", with my friends Ryan Michaels and Tova Litvin. It was the first song that Ryan and I sat down to write together as a duo and I felt something really magical happen that day. I think one of the greatest moments for me as an artist was on stage at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles when I finished  playing the song and realized that I had been completely gone, absolutely lost in it. It is so fun to get lost in a performance and that was a really special 4 minutes of my artist career. The song is called "The Price I Pay" and you can hear it at www.haleyandmichaels.com

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

I know that music can change the world in the sense that it can change people, or help people. I think that changing the world would certainly have to begin there. I know this because music has helped me during some very difficult times in my life. I think that music gives people a chance to go somewhere emotionally that they might not be able to go themselves. Possibly to a place that they need to go. I think that it can help people open their minds and think about things in a new way, if the lyric or melody can provoke it. Music is a way to get messages out to people, so with regards to current events, I think that if you have the power to say something you believe in, it's something to take seriously. You never know who you might reach...

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

In a certain way, technology has been incredible for me, as an independent artist. I can now make fans by putting songs up on the Internet, I can reach fans directly and communicate with them often, all over the world. So many doors have been opened because the internet has given us the reach. Even as a listener, I find new music I like all the time through music blogs or online stations. I like to say that in a certain way, the internet is turning the music industry into a democracy. It is giving people more of a chance to choose who they listen to, to a certain extent. It's hard not to be grateful. At the same time, music is so readily available that it's value has changed. A lot of people expect it to be free. The single song download is available so many people have stopped buying albums. As an artist trying to make a living, this can be a challenge. As a consumer, I guess it kind of depends what type of music lover you are. The good news is, it is still possible to buy albums, to pay for music, to respect it. 

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

Aha! This requires me to know the names of shoes! Hmm, I would be a gray or brown leather boot with a zipper and sturdy heel. :)

Simply Six: Chris Daniels

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 was more about guitar first ... I was more like George Harrison -- guitar came first -- and the three players were Spider John Koerner, Dave VanRonk and James Taylor .... as far as singing ... that was probably Dylan ... now I know lots of folk think of Dylan as a bad singer - but go back and listen to his power and phrasing on 'Like A Rolling Stone' -- wow, it is straight punk phrasing -- the Clash learned their phrasing from him -- it's all right there -- the other is the greatest -- the reason we ALL sing the way we do, Louis Armstrong -- check out his phrasing on Dina -- he reduces the whole melody to one note and swings it like a mother - damn, that is the stuff. Last but not least on singing is Kris Kristofferson -- he is the most honest singer -- again not great tech singer -- but it is so damn honest -- like he's getting up from the street where he just got beat up and singing "that sucked but I'm getting up'...... wheee honest!

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

Well some of the old cats above but I'm thrilled with the new music that is coming up. I teach at the University of Colorado and I have had members from all these great new bands in my classes, folks from Air Dubia and John Common and all these great new bands. Right now I'm listening to a great young horn band called Bop Skizzim.

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

I'm blessed, because there are so many. Getting to sing with Bonnie Raitt, getting to sing with Richie Furay, getting to do a banjo duet with Bela Fleck, getting to sit in with Little Feat, getting to tour with Sonny Landreth or Al Kooper or David Bromberg as their band ... those are all knock outs ... getting to tour the world....but one of my favorite nights was sitting in a little restaurant in Holland on our very first European tour and thinking to myself, man, this all happened because I fell in love with the sound of playing a guitar ... now there are 10 musicians, a record company president and our crew here, just cause I picked up a guitar ... wild, just totally wild. I didn't plan this at all, it wasn't my dream ... I just loved playing the guitar and look where the flip it took me...holly crap!

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

I wrote that in a song that turned into a video for VH-1 back in the 80s -- kind of funny and weirdly prophetic -- "Come Back To The Record Store" about people being changed by music -- and we need to get back to that -- but it does -- there is an amazing and true story about one of the Supreme Court Justices hearing Louis Armstrong in Texas when this guy was a kid in the 1920s, and having his mind blown ... here was a man he was being taught by his white friends ... was supposed to be inferior -- and what he heard was pure genius -- it changed his thinking completely -- and he went on to be one of the Justices that ruled on Brown Vs Board of Education that began the ending of segregation in schools -- so yeah, music can change the world.

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

Oh Jeez -- well I'll give you one fact, because this is what I teach: in 2000/2001 CD sales were around 14 billion dollars a year and one record sold 4 million copies in one week. This year the industry will sell less than half that number and digital sales (never mind all the stuff stolen) will account for more that 50% of all the revenue made from recording sales. So the tech changes are huge, from studios to Youtube to internet possibilities -- it has made entry into the market place much easier BUT it has made being noticed by the market place harder. This year only about 1,500 artists will sell 1,000 "units" or more -- out of 75,000 with records out that have bar codes ... it boggles the mind ... and the odds are better for a lottery win... yet with all that ... there is more music being USED than ever before on the internet, cable, you name it ... for me, I love technology. I teach an online class at CU Denver and it means I can use videos I make podcasts, live chats and all kinds of things that make my online class come ALIVE ! --- it's really fun stuff and you can even find some of those videos for my classes on Youtube!

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

Oh, that is easy, I would be an old comfortable pair of high-top sneakers, Keds or Vans, kind of raged, but still solid... the kind of shoes that would make you WANT to put them on and head out the door for an adventure, just for the fun of taking them out for a walk-about ... shoes that have seen it all and still really hungary for more.