Alan Mercer's PROFILE

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It is almost impossible to capture the remarkable life and career of Bebe Buell in a few paragraphs. Her lengthy and respected musical career has shown her to be an important artist with razor sharp musical instincts; a singer, songwriter and performer with a power and command rarely seen in entertainers. Bebe has the unequaled gift of being able to delve into a song and spark it to life with immediacy and poignant raw emotion; whether performing her own works or her always groundbreaking choices of songs by other writers.

Bebe's unique, multi-faceted talent manifested itself at an early age. At ten years old she began singing in the Villa Maria Academy choir sporting an "alto" a very unusual, deep vocal range for a young girl, that caught everyone's ear.

Upon graduating from high school she was discovered by super- agent Eileen Ford of Ford Models. She was whisked away from Virginia Beach to New York City and hit the Manhattan music scene as soon as she arrived. She soon became involved with legendary rock musician Todd Rundgren. At the time, she was living in a woman’s residence run by nuns.

Affectionately called "Friend To The Stars", Bebe earned that title because of her closeness to everyone from Jack Nicholson to Patti Smith, and her carte blanche access to rock's elite royalty. She was frequently dubbed a "legendary beauty" by photographers and peers alike. Mick Jagger was once quoted as saying that he could bring Bebe "when I dine with royalty."

Bebe's musical career jumpstarted with her first release, ‘Covers Girl’ in 1981 produced by Ric Ocasek and Rick Derringer. It was a four song EP of obscure cover songs featuring legendary group The Cars backing her on two of the tracks, which was also, coincidentally, Rhino Records first release. Bebe's pure love of music and natural sense of cool come through on these recordings.

When Bebe's daughter Liv found out her father was really Steven Tyler, not Todd Rundgren, 1991 became a year of big changes. Well documented in the media, Bebe has said in interviews that she didn't want to tell Liv who her real father was because of Steven's heavy drug addiction at the time. Todd had known that he was not the biological father of Liv but had kept the secret in order to give both Bebe and Liv some semblance of a stable home. Steven got sober and the news of Liv's parentage was no longer a secret.

In 2000, the Oscar winning film "Almost Famous” was released. Writer/director Cameron Crowe based the film on elements of Bebe's life. Some of the film's dialogue is directly taken from quotes of Bebe's that Crowe had remembered from their friendship which began decades earlier in 1973 on the road with Todd Rundgren.

Bebe completed her autobiography, "Rebel Heart; An American Rock And Roll Journey" (St, Martin's Press) in 2001. It quickly became a New York Times best seller. The following year she married Jimmy Walls of Das Damen and Vacationland fame. In 2008 they bought a house in the New York City area and began the concept for Bebe's next musical chapter. The result was two critically acclaimed albums "Sugar" and "Hard Love" and performing for capacity audiences in New York City and the Northeast United States.

The singer/songwriter and pop culture icon now calls Music City home. Bebe, dubbed the “Mother Of Rock & Roll” came to Nashville in 2012 to sing on an Eddy Arnold tribute album for local label Plowboy Records. Being a Southern girl at heart (she was born and spent her childhood in Virginia) Bebe immediately fell in love with the city.

In her short time in Music City, Bebe has graced several local stages including three sold out shows at the iconic Bluebird Café and recorded at famed studios, RCA Studio B and Sound Emporium. She has also been songwriting prolifically, including a duet with Crystal Gayle (who joins her onstage regularly).

This year is shaping up to be one of Bebe Buell's most exciting yet. In addition to her new music, band and stage show, expect projects in film and a return to the literary world. Bebe has never allowed herself to be stereotyped or pigeonholed. A musician, mother, muse, model, celebrated lover, manager, best-selling author, and pop culture icon, music has always held her deepest passion.

Scarf designed by Manuel Hat designed by Ivy Silverstein

AM: Bebe, wasn’t it two years ago on Mother’s Day that you did your first sold-out Bluebird show?

BB: Yes, Mother’s Day 2014 was my LIVE debut in Nashville. So Mother’s Day holds a very special place in my heart, not only because I’m a mother and I have a third grandchild coming in July, but because I had an epiphany with my first live show at the Bluebird Café. And I got my first break here at The Bluebird thanks to Erika who gave me a shot. I’m very connected to the spirit of Mother’s Day.

AM: I’d say so.

BB: Another thing I like about Mother’s Day is it's an empowering celebration of women- the Mother. A tip of the hat to childbirth. Not everyone can grow a human being in their body! And then give birth to a new life.

AM: What is your message to your audience?

BB: My message to people is you can do anything for as long as you want, as long as you do it well, as long as you have something to say. Some examples of people I can think of now are Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Jane Goodall and your friend Mamie Van Doren. There’s a wealth of knowledge that comes from a woman who’s lived a full life. You don’t have to ever be jaded. I still feel like a child when I see things for the first time. I continue every day to see things through fresh eyes. People say to me, “Oh you’ve seen it all. This isn’t your first time at the rodeo!”

Well, I’ve never been to a rodeo. Each thing that happens to me is a new experience. Even if there are similarities to something else, it’s still something enlightening and new. My message is the empowering of the human spirit to keep going even in the eyes of adversity.

AM: That’s a great message.

BB: Sometimes that attitude makes people jealous but I’m trying to stop that. I don’t want people to be envious. I want them to be empowered. I’ve also been called the Mother of Rock & Roll for years and years.

AM: Who was the first to call you that?

BB: Maybe it was Jack Nicholson, I’m not sure. Joey Ramone came up with "The Girl With Windex Colored Eyes" way back in the late 80's. And I've always been a "Rebel Heart".

AM: That is a great moniker. Why do you think people think of you as the Mother of Rock & Roll?

BB: I think I got it from being so motherly to all my friends. I love taking care of people, cooking for them, inspiring people and helping them come up with ideas. That will always be part of who I am even though my own art is very important to me. Then I can go up onstage and my Bebe Bad Ass comes out... my healing continues with my music and message. My strength continues in my persona which embodies my inner courage. I find so much happiness from performing. Entertaining people is in my DNA for sure!

Scarf designed by Manuel

AM: I know you released a single called ‘Secret Sister’ and ‘Hello Music City.’ Of course I own and love them both! Do you plan anymore recordings in the near future?

BB: I wrote those songs when I first came to Nashville in the summer of 2013 with my husband Jim and Jon & Sally Tiven. Jon was really helpful in getting me started on a fresh path and I'm eternally grateful. I'm writing constantly but what I'm working on right now is a big passion for me. My One Woman show I'll be calling "Rebel Soul". Yes, it's a continuation to my New York Times best selling bio "Rebel Heart", which came out in 2001.

AM: Are you going to be on stage by yourself?

BB: Even though it’s called a one woman show I’m going to have a couple people up there with me. It’s a stripped down show with only a drummer and a guitar. I’ll be telling stories about my life and singing songs.

AM: I am excited about your one woman show!

BB: I’m traveling light with a drummer and a guitar player. My drummer will also sing so there will be harmonies. Of course my husband Jim will be the guitar player. He’ll be able to handle that very well all by himself. I love two piece bands anyway, and as much as I love bass guitar, you'd be surprised at the things my husband can do on a guitar. He's got game and then some!

AM: Who is your drummer?

BB: I haven’t decided on the drummer yet although I have a couple of candidates. I’m hoping it can be a woman actually. I would love that. Jim and I are forging ahead and getting all the material together so whoever we bring on board will feel comfortable and be ready to jump right in. I love the drummer I've played with for almost three years, Shannon Pollard, but he's got an empire he's running and won't be able to tour so we've got to find someone who wants to hit the road.

AM: What made you decide to do this show?

BB: The reason I’m doing it is because I’ve been in loud Rock & Roll bands my whole life and a lot of people tell me it’s the story telling and the healing aspect of what I do that they get so much benefit out of. So it dawned on me that I need to go back into the Bluebird in a stripped down format. You can lay your soul bare in that magical room. The Bluebird is very intimate.

AM: Are you ready to debut the show yet?

BB: I’m going to be working on this presentation for at least another month or two. It’s a big deal. There’s a lot of dialogue. People may not realize that when you put on this kind of show there is a formality you have to follow. And when I take it to bigger stages there will be a little movie and slide show that runs along with it.

AM: Is it like writing a script?

BB: Sort of. When you write it yourself it’s so submitted to memory you don’t have to learn it like a script that somebody else wrote. It does have to have an order and a structure however. I'm sure each delivery will have wonderful spontaneous moments, too. That will be part of the fun.

AM: Will you still play with a full band occasionally?

BB: I played my last full band live show this past February 18th at Third & Lindsley. I won’t be doing a full band show again for a while.

AM: Oh bummer.

BB: I'm not stopping- I'm just trying new things. I’ll still get up on stage and sing as a guest when I’m invited. My favorite Nashville band right now, along with The Blackfoot Gypsies, is Thee Rock N' Roll Residency. They play every Tuesday night at the Harp & Fiddle. They’ve created this incredible scene over there along with Brandy Goldsboro. The place is packed to the gills every Tuesday. They play all covers but they put their own spin on everything making it sound fresh. They always have guest signers like Robin Zander from Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Lzzy Hale, Hannah Firelight, to name a few, and I recently got up there and sang with them. I'm smitten and hooked so I will continue to do that when I can. I want to stay relevant in my musical community. I like the little pockets of scenes they have here in Nashville. I will always like singing with my friends, The Long Players, the brainchild of the brilliant Bill Lloyd. They take an album and recreate it with guest singers for the various tracks. The last show I did with them was The Rolling Stones ‘Some Girls.’ I sang ‘Beast of Burden’ and then I came back and did a favorite that isn’t on the album, ‘Paint It Black.’ We ripped through "Satisfaction", too! One of my highlights with The Long Players was The Bowie tribute at The Frist Museum. Singing "Moonage Daydream" and "Rebel Rebel" under a full moon is a memory I'll treasure forever. This was before Bowie's passing so the emotional connection is profound for me.

AM: Any other projects you can talk about?

BB: I just shot a sizzle reel for a show called ‘Routes of Rock’ here in Nashville. The format would take me all around the world to locations where all the great music was created and inspired. The show's creators want me going everywhere from Kashmir to Loch Ness.

AM: Wow Bebe!

BB: I’ll be the female Anthony Bourdain without the food. Ha! Each episode will feature a different artist or band. We’ll go to various locations where they would hang out- their haunts or childhood home, and I’ll talk to the people behind the scenes. It’s being submitted to networks as we speak. I also wrote a movie eight years ago that I never thought I could get made because when I wrote it I lived in NYC and it's set in the South. But now that I’m in Nashville, I can shoot it right here. Isn't fate interesting?

This movie is my baby. I can hardly wait to release the details, the cast and everything about it. It's going to have an epic soundtrack to boot. I'll keep you posted on both projects as we move forward. I have to say, this is the most exciting time of my artistic and spiritual life and growth!

AM: You really are doing a lot!

BB: I’m expanding my brand. I’m going beyond music and incorporating film, television, storytelling and healing into my message. I want to travel and do as much good work as I can until I go to wherever Prince, Bowie and Oscar Wilde are hanging out. I definitely want to go there.

To learn more about Bebe Buell visit her web site http://www.bebebuell.org/

Follow Bebe Buell on Twitter https://twitter.com/BebeBuellBand

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Country singer/songwriter and actor Waylon Payne is the son of Jody Payne, a guitarist in Willie Nelson's band, and Grammy winning Country Music singer Sammi Smith. He was named after his godfather, Waylon Jennings. He began his career writing songs and playing with other musicians. Notably, he placed ‘Elvis’ and ‘Sing Til I Stop Crying’ on Pat Green's album ‘Wave on Wave’ in 2003, also singing and playing guitar on the disc. He had already finished recording his own album, ‘The Drifter,’ without a label deal and was playing with Willie Nelson in New York when Green suggested he play the record for Green's label, Republic/Universal.

Waylon Payne was signed to the label, which released ‘The Drifter’ on June 22, 2004. It attracted critical praise and was tapped by other artists for material. Django Walker put ‘Her (She's Gone)’ on his album ‘Six Trips Around the World,’ and ‘The Bottom’ was covered by both Keith Gattis, producer of ‘The Drifter,’on ‘Big City Blues,’ for which Waylon sang background vocals, and Charlie Robison on ‘Good Times.’

Waylon was cast in the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the Johnny Cash biopic ‘Walk the Line,’ which opened in 2005. Waylon's appearance on the soundtrack album allowed him to share the Grammy Award won by the disc. He was next cast in the starring role of Hank Garland in the 2006 biopic ‘Crazy.’ In 2010 he played the bad guy in ‘Road To Nowhere.’ In 2014 he has also starred in ‘The Identical.’ It’s loosely based on Elvis and the cast includes Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd.

Coming up in 2017 is a documentary titled ‘The Drifter: The Waylon Payne Story’ about his time in Los Angeles recording ‘The Drifter,’ his decent into drugs and the loss of his mother filmed from 2002 to 2005. His critically acclaimed album ‘The Drifter’ was reissued on March 11, 2008.

AM: How are you Waylon?

WP: I’m good buddy, how about you?

AM: I just got back from working in Los Angeles.

WP: I need to go out there and work soon.

AM: Yes you do. Everyone loves you out there.

WP: I love it out there as well, but I’m trying to get myself together here in Nashville.

AM: I think that’s the smart thing for you to do.

WP: I think so too. Hollywood will always be there and provided I don’t get any older I’ll be alright (Laughter)

AM: You’re a man so you can work the rest of your life.

WP: Well from your mouth to God’s ears.

AM: So are you focusing on music while you’re in Nashville?

WP: Right now I’m in the studio with Frank Liddell.

AM: Didn’t you just record a new album?

WP: I’ve got this album called the ‘Prodigal’ that’s kind of cool that I recorded in Texas. It’s all about me getting sober, dealing with the death of my dad and being a forty something year old man. I think it’s on the back burner just for a slight minute because Frank Liddell wants to do a new record on me.

AM: How exciting to have Frank Liddell want to work with you.

WP: I’m going to let myself be steered a little bit and give myself a real shot. I don’t know if it’s selling out or cashing in. (Laughter) I figure I’m on this path and doing really well. I’m making some strides. I’d like this next project to be the best that it can possibly be.

AM: Is there anything else you are working on?

WP: I’m focusing on writing now. I’ve got some songs coming up on some other artist’s albums but I can’t reveal who yet. It’s very exciting. That’s what’s going on. I also play and sing harmony in Lorrie Morgan’s band now, which is a dream come true. I’m staying busy in Nashville and seeing what’s supposed to be next.

AM: That’s great. What about any movies?

WP: I have a film called ‘Turnabout’ and it’s playing in a lot of film festivals right now. It’s screening in LA for the Cinefest. You never know, it could be a hit. I really enjoy working in films. I actually treasure the experience.

AM: Your film career came out of nowhere, right?

WP: I had a bad experience in high school with a drama teacher who told me I should probably be doing anything in the world except acting. Then I realized later on in my life that all I’ve ever been doing is acting. (Laughter) You put on different faces for people to let them see what they need from you. I really enjoy the technical side of acting.

AM: Who are your acting heroes?

WP: Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and anyone who is excellent at their craft. I like to go on set and pretend that I am a Hollywood legend and try to give it my all.

AM: I’ve seen most every film performance you’ve ever done and I always love you.

WP: (Laughter) I’m so sorry about some of them.

AM: You are always good no matter what, but I’m really excited about you recording a new album with Frank Liddell.

WP: He’s one of the biggest producers in Nashville. He produces Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack. He’s a great man. We’ve known each other for twenty five years. He was my publisher in 2006 when I went through my journey to get sober. He welcomed me with open arms when I came back. He gave me my job back. He’s a saint.

AM: People are good to you because beyond your talent, they can see a good soul with a beautiful heart.

WP: That’s what I strive for. All I want to do is be a beacon and an inspiration.

AM: What about the documentary about your life. How is that coming along?

WP: It’s called ‘The Waylon Payne Story’ and it’s coming soon. We just teamed up with another group of folks who want to take this thing worldwide. They think that telling the story of overcoming amphetamine use is an important one to tell.

AM: I have to agree with that. So you are happy with the film?

WP: The best thing about this documentary is it captured my entrance into music and film. We started shooting it in 2002 when I just got to Hollywood and decided to make a record with Keith Gattis. We got the recording of the whole album on film. They followed me on a daily basis from 2002 until 2005 when my Mom died. They got the birth of this guy trying to be a Country singer and also getting into a heavy methamphetamine problem. They captured the whole crash to the bottom.

AM: Wow, talk about timing.

WP: The best part about it is they have the whole rebirth too. We’ve turned it into something that will help folks understand what methamphetamines do to people. The doctors come on and tell you exactly what the addiction is.

AM: That is so important. It will help many people.

WP: They’ve got me living through it. I’m extremely proud of it and I hope that people get something good out of it. It was a journey that almost killed me a few times. I’m really glad that I’m alive!

AM: I am too Waylon. You are a very special person. Keep shining your light!

WP: Like I said, I just want to be an inspiration and a beacon. That’s what I do.

Follow Waylon on Twitter https://twitter.com/paynewaylon

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Larry Ferguson is a native of Louisville Kentucky. As an only child he grew up loving music and television. At three years of age he fell in love with Dolly Parton. By the time he was a young teen he was modeling for Alix Adams Agency. He also co-hosted ‘Louisville Tonight Live’ while still in High school.

As a teenager he helped local concert promoters promote country music and gospel music shows. At 18 he started his own concert promotions company, Larry Ferguson Promotions.

A dream came true when his other lifetime love, the legendary singer/songwriter Dottie Rambo asked him to manage her. At this time he moved to Nashville. There he launched a major, successful comeback for Dottie. He authored the book, ‘Driving Ms. Dottie’ about his life on the road with her.

He co-created and was one of the producers for a 2 hour concert television special ‘We Shall Behold Him,’ hosted by Barbara Mandrell and featuring Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin, Barbara Fairchild, Dolly Parton and many others. The special was nominated for an NRB award.

Larry and Dottie were like family and he managed her until a 2008 concert tour bus crash killed Dottie and left him broken up physically and mentally.

As a music producer he has produced many artists including, Carol Channing, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Little Richard, Patti Page, Lynn Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Mamie Van Doren, Lily Tomlin, Joe Diffie, Solomon Burke, Tanya Tucker just to name a few.

Tentatively scheduled in 2016 is a musical CD tribute to Dottie Rambo with 30 artists and 18 songs written by the legendary songwriter. This summer he starts airing his new internet talk show, ‘Mr. Nashville Talks.’

Larry is a single father of two boys Christian, 16 and Pierce, 11.

AM: Larry, let’s start with the obvious. How did you get the moniker of “Mr. Nashville?”

LF: Actually this story has two extremes. I was in New York for a meeting and I got to meet Joan Rivers. She kept calling me “Nashville” and then she started calling me Mr. Nashville and heckling me a little bit. That was the first time. Even people on the street in New York called me Nashville because of my accent. Then I met Sarah Palin at a reception and she started calling me Mr. Nashville. Then I saw her again some time later and she remembered me and called me Mr. Nashville again.

AM: You are a memorable person Larry. Nobody is going to forget you!

LF: That’s probably a bad thing.

AM: No, quite the opposite. So how did you decide to make the name stick?

LF: Originally I was going to do a radio show and everything was set to go but then they started wanting to control everything like what guests I would have so there was no way I wanted to do that.

AM: That would not have been fun.

LF: I started a web site then and started posting news items about Country music and Nashville legends from a Nashville perspective.

AM: So you are covering all types of entertainment from a Nashville point of view?

LF: Right, the people don’t have to be from Nashville at all. I am the Nashville part. I want to feature people that I miss seeing and hearing about. These are artists who are still making great music or doing theater. People still have an interest in these artists but since they are no longer on TV regularly people don’t know what they are doing.

AM: What do you think about the current status of celebrity?

LF: There are no stars anymore. Everyone is a celebrity, but no stars.

AM: We are losing the legends left and right and we’re not creating new ones.

LF: There’s no Hollywood glamour anymore. On rare occasions there is still a hint of it. The Oscars looked like an upscale prom.

AM: Do you think your internet show will ever be on TV?

LF: I hope it is. I’ve had a few people tell me they would love to air it, but I want to make sure that I won’t get into the same situation like the radio show. I have to own the show and control it.

AM: You’ve started taping several segments already so you’re on your way.

LF: Yes, I’d like to maybe make a television special out of this. Eventually I would love to have a weekly series. I love to just sit down and talk. I miss shows like that. I miss Dick Cavett and Phil Donahue. Basically I’m filling a role that somebody else should already be doing.

AM: What makes you the right person for this job?

LF: I like to talk and I DO listen. That’s missing from a talk show perspective.

AM: You are not just talking to people that a publicist threw in front of you. Your heart is involved from the beginning. That’s what’s missing from talk shows now.

LF: Exactly, now talk show hosts are basically actors. Everything is done behind the scenes by fifteen to twenty people involved.

AM: There are no genuine conversations anymore.

LF: I don’t have to do all this research because I know who these people are.

AM: What do you do differently to get an interesting conversation going?

LF: I try to bring up subjects that haven’t been talked about as much. This way the person I am talking to isn’t bored by the same old questions.

AM: Who would your dream guests be for ‘Mr. Nashville?’

LF: Of course Dolly Parton would be my number one choice. I’ve worked with her a lot. She is my ultimate.

AM: You’ve had a working relationship with Dolly for years.

LF: Yes, I’ve been very fortunate. I worked with Dolly a lot when I managed Dottie Rambo. She’s been a great friend who has been very good to me. She sang on a few records that I have produced. When Dottie died, Dolly brought me to Dollywood and we planted a rose in Dottie’s honor. She gave me this beautiful vase made of hand blown glass that had peacock feathers painted on it. The wonderful thing is Dottie collected peacock art so it felt like it was meant to be.

AM: What about some TV people?

LF: I want to get Marla Gibbs so bad. I love her. I grew up with her.

AM: The young people don’t even know who any of these people are.

LF: You know what Alan, I have discovered that if the information is out there the younger audience does discover and appreciate these older talents. They just never see them so they haven’t discovered them yet.

To learn more about Larry visit his web site

http://www.mrnashvilletalks.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Mamie Van Doren has been a close friend for over a decade now. She was the very first interview I did on my blog in February 2009. I featured her again in September 2010 with a more in-depth interview and lots of photos. In March of 2015 we did our 10 year anniversary photo session. If you haven’t seen any of these blogs you should check them out in addition to this one. The links are right below. You will be able to learn more about her past in these blogs. Now we focus on the future of this Sex Symbol of a Certain Age.

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2009/02/mamie-van-doren-interview.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-only-mamie-van-doren.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2010/09/mamie-van-doren-gallery.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2015/03/mamie-van-doren-ten-year-anniversary.html

AM: Mamie, recently Alan Eichler put some videos on Youtube of you performing your nightclub act from the early 80’s. My jaw dropped open when I saw them. You are amazing. Did you know how good you were?

MVD: No, I never even thought about it. I was blessed with the ability to entertain people and I don’t have a problem with it. I know I don’t have the strongest voice. I’m not Barbra Streisand, but I have always felt the music.

AM: You do a great job singing.

MVD: It comes from within. It’s a portrayal and when I sing a song it all comes out. People can actually feel it. I like intimate rooms because it makes the performance more personable and you can reach people more so than in a huge auditorium where you can get kind of lost.

AM: Did you perform to large crowds in Vietnam?

MVD: No when I was entertaining in Vietnam in fire stations, it wasn’t that large.

AM: I know you worked hard out there.

MVD: They were very much in need of entertainment. They were starving for it. I would often work on a tank. I’d be on stage for an hour and have them come up on stage with me so I could hug, kiss and sing to them.

AM: I know they were thrilled to see you in person.

MVD: They really adored me and I was so thankful I could do something for them. No one back in the States realized the torment they were going through. They were risking their lives and many didn’t come back. They didn’t want to be there anymore than we wanted them to be there. That was so sad. It was a terrible war.

AM: I can’t believe you had the courage and stamina to go there.

MVD: I’ve always had the feeling of wanting to do things like that. I was born this way. I feel like I was meant to go out and do that.

AM: So your entertaining is tied in with healing others. You went to Vietnam and you also worked the first AIDS benefits before anyone else.

MVD: I did a lot of AIDS benefits. I was one of the first along with Vivian Blaine. I went to all the gay clubs and performed. That’s how it all started. I raised $40,000 which was a big deal in those days.

AM: It’s still a big deal.

MVD: People today don’t know what really happened in those days. It wasn’t until Rock Hudson died two years later that people started talking and then of course Elizabeth Taylor took over. She was able to make a lot more money. Unfortunately Elizabeth wouldn’t let me come to any of the functions anymore. That was unkind of her. All the people who had helped for the first two years never got the credit they deserved.

AM: That information is starting to get now. Alan Eichler has really helped in getting that word out.

MVD: Many people did a lot of good things that nobody knows about today. I was one of the only ones who got up and sang. At least I was doing something. I believe very deeply in karma. People go through bad karma and it’s a natural thing, but it disappears and then the good karma comes. You just have to get through the bad karma first.

AM: You have to make the right choices right?

MVD: Yes, when I am experiencing good karma I like to take advantage of it because I know I’m going to get some bad karma again. I believe this has to do with a past life. (Laughter)

AM: Mamie you used to wear a lot of Chanel, but now you are through with it?

MVD: Oh yes! It’s too matronly looking and passé for me. (Laughter)

AM: So now you are reinventing yourself as a teenager.

MVD: Oh yeah, I’m getting my clothes from Dolls Kill and wearing a nose ring.

AM: You’re doing all the things the kids are doing now, right?

MVD: Yes, but I’m ahead of them. I’ve got plans for the next decade. I’ve been through my old stage and I don’t need it anymore.

AM: You’re not tired of social media yet are you? Some people get tired of it.

MVD: No, I like attention even though I’m very private. That’s one of the reasons I moved to Newport Beach. In Hollywood it’s like living in an open book. I’m not into gossip. I’ve been living here since 1966.

AM: You have always been ahead of your time and you still are.

MVD: Well, bless your heart. I am so elated and grateful that we met and became friends.

AM: It was meant to be.

MVD: You are part of my karma. You are part of me.

AM: I agree and you are a part of me and you always have been.

MVD: Yes, when I don’t see you for a year and then you’re here it’s like you never left. It’s like it’s the next day. I think of you all the time. You’re always on my mind. I even feel like I am a part of your family.

AM: That’s because you are.

MVD: You’re a big part of my life and I love you.

AM: I love you too sweetheart.

For more on Mamie Van Doren visit her web site www.mamievandoren.com

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Mike Anaya just returned from three weeks in Hawaii working on a kids show for Nickelodeon and that’s after working on Season Five of ‘The New Girl.’ That’s just the tip of the iceberg. On the ‘Real Men’ campaign for Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, he worked with Justin Timberlake shaving with a chainsaw. He had to keep Bradley Cooper’s cereal box looking fresh, as he was eating it out of the box with a serving spoon, and watched Jamie Foxx use a remote control as a bottle opener. He was there when Sean Penn used an iron to make grilled cheese sandwiches and no less than Halle Berry asked him if he was a professional voice over actor.

I met Mike Anaya in December of 2003. Originally from Reno, Nevada, he had been working in the ever declining music business and was looking for something else to earn a living. I needed someone to assist me on photo shoots and since he was available and capable I hired him whenever I could. We worked on dozens of photo sessions all while he pursued other ways of earning an income in Hollywood. Over time he found a lot of work in event productions and eventually television, music videos and commercials.

It’s no surprise to me he has become successful working in Hollywood (no easy feat) because he gives his all to anything he is doing. He is reliable, dependable and always early for his call time.

Mike has also worked with entertainers such as Coldplay (three different times), Madonna, Adele, Katy Perry, U2, Terrence Howard, Eminem, The cast of New Girl which has included Megan Fox, Forrest Whitaker and Sofia Vergara, just to name a few.

Besides finding professional success Mike also found personal happiness this past year when he got married in Hawaii to a girl he has known since childhood.

AM: Mike when I first met you, you were working in the music business. Right around that time the music business took a dramatic turn downward. What was that like for you?

MA: That was a hard time because I didn’t know my direction or what else to do. That’s when I met you and that got me into photography.

AM: But you always had an interest in photography, right?

MA: Yes, I always did want to take photos.

AM: So you started working with me at photo shoots but you were also led into other careers. What did you do then?

MA: I started working on large scale events like big concerts.

AM: What exactly did you do at first?

MA: I would set up the VIP area, site crew for EDC and Hard Summer and Hard Summer and Hard Halloween and I’ve stage managed for Live Nation a few times. These are all different large scale events I worked on. These jobs would often be several days long.

AM: What does setting up a VIP area involve?

MA: Setting up tables and chairs. Decorating the area and making it look extravagant for the clients.

AM: Did you want to be doing this sort of job?

MA: I just fell into it. Not a bad thing. I just never thought about doing something like that.

AM: So how did you move forward into other avenues?

MA: I discovered the guy I was working for was an art director in films. He ended up hiring me for my first commercial. When I discovered how much money those people made working on commercials, I decided I wanted to work in that area of production. So from there I ended up working in television.

AM: How many days is an average commercial shoot?

MA: Anywhere from one to ten days.

AM: After you started working in commercials did you still work on live events?

MA: Yes, I kept doing live events until about three years ago. Now I focus on television and commercials only.

AM: I know you have worked on some big name music videos. Tell me about that.

MA: I’ve only done a few. I worked with Coldplay on a couple videos. I worked on one of Adele’s first videos, ‘Chasing Pavements’ and on ‘Ghost Town’ with Madonna.

AM: What experiences stand out in your memory as something really cool or special?

MA: Late last year I worked on an NFL spot for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. I was happy for the job as I had an opportunity to play catch with Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys. They are my second favorite team. Also I did an Eminem video last year and John Malkovich had a cameo. I was resetting his sodas for the screen. He shook my hand afterwards.

AM: What’s it like working with all these big names?

MA: I’m normally fine but I was super nervous around Halle Berry.

AM: Does anyone stand out as being super nice?

MA: Chris Martin of Coldplay made me feel comfortable. When I told him I saw his first show in LA he told me I must be old. Then on the third job I did with him, he came up and shook my hand first thing when he saw me.

AM: Well if you’re only going to work on a few, those are the ones! How do you like those long hours?

MA: I actually like it a lot. It’s pretty fun but it does get monotonous after a while hearing the same song over and over for ten to twelve hours.

AM: I never thought about that.

MA: No matter what is going on, they are playing the same song very loud all day long.

AM: What television shows have you worked on?

MA: I just finished working on three different shows back to back. One is called ‘Cooper Barrett’ for Fox. It has been on television already. Not sure if it got picked up or not. That led me into working on ‘The New Girl.’ I just finished this past season and then I went to Hawaii for three weeks working on a kids show for Nickelodeon called Paradise Run 2.

AM: Have you found a new home in television work then?

MA: No, I am still searching. (Laughter) I think I like commercials the best.

AM: What would your ultimate job be?

MA: Voice over work! I have always been told I had the perfect voice for it.

AM: I agree you have a great voice and would be a really good at that. Do you think you may go full circle and return to music in some way?

MA: Actually I have been getting interest and I do believe I’m going back into the music business.

AM: In what capacity?

MA: Doing event production again.

AM: That’s your first love anyway.

MA: Yes, that’s why I moved to Los Angeles in the first place.

AM: Do you think working in Hollywood is different from working in other cities?

MA: Yes out here it’s very cut throat. It’s really about who you know. You have to build good solid relationships to get ahead.

AM: I’m so proud of you Mike. You have become very successful working in Hollywood. A person doesn’t always get to do what they love the most at first. What is your advice to anyone looking to come to Los Angeles to work behind the scenes?

MA: Lots of people have asked me that question all the time. I always say to follow your heart and keep chasing your dreams. That’s the bottom line. Whatever you feel inside, you have to keep pursuing it.

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Coming from one of America’s most creative families, Stella Parton has blazed her own unique pathway to success. From the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, she emerged from extreme poverty and disenfranchisement to see her dreams of performing on the Grand Ole Opry come true and to become an international award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, author and producer.

Stella recently relived those humble beginnings while filming NBC’s made-for-tv movie, 'Coat of Many Colors.' At the request of her sister, Stella served as a consultant on the film, and landed the role of “Corla Bass.” The film is based on her sister, Dolly Parton’s well-known song, 'Coat of Many Colors.' Stella's first foray into acting was on the hit TV series, 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' She was the first country artist to guest star on the show in a character role and since that time she has shared the screen with numerous notables including Louis Gossett, Jr. and Gena Rowlands.

Musically, Stella most recently released, ‘Mountain Songbird,’ a tribute album to her sister, Dolly. She covers eleven of her favorite Dolly Parton songs in addition to the title track she wrote with Tom T. Hall and his wife Dixie and a duet with Dolly they co-wrote called, ‘More Power To Ya.’ The album is on Raptor Records.

Also an author, Stella released her self-published inspirational memoir, 'Tell It Sister, Tell It.' She opens her soul with her trademark straight to the heart candor and writes about everything from miracles and childhood stories to spine-chilling and terrifying real-life nightmares. As an acclaimed motivational speaker, Stella utilizes this book/audiobook to not only share hope and inspiration but to also help raise awareness in the fight against domestic violence.

Domestic Violence has long been a cause close to Stella’s heart, having suffered from it herself. She established the Red Tent Women's Conference, a 3-day women’s conference and concert. The launch was a huge success and the organization is currently exploring options and sponsors to host the event in different cities across the United States, Europe and Australia.

Stella’s entertainment career is filled with awards and accolades including being named the Christian Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist and Mainstream Country Artist of the Year, the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame’s Entertainer of the Year, Most Promising International Act by the CMA/GB, Honorary Ambassador of Country Music in Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and New Zealand, not to mention being inducted into the American Country Music Hall of Fame.

Stella was one of the very first “Indie” artists, before the phrase was coined. At the tender age of 24, she wrote, produced, recorded and secured the promotion/distribution for her very first album, 'I Want To Hold You (In My Dreams Tonight).' Releasing it on her own label, the album and title single became huge hits on the country charts - at a time when the industry was controlled by the major labels and very much a good ole boy system. Stella took Nashville by storm - topping the charts and inciting fear in many that a young single mother from East Tennessee could so quickly become a threat, in spite of the fact that her older sister Dolly was already a nationally known singer/songwriter. And with that maverick spirit she continued to move forward.

After her first hit record, Stella signed with Elektra records and had a string of top 20 Billboard singles and albums in conjunction with extensive international touring of the U.S., Canada, UK, South America & Australia. She garnered international awards and acclaim for the pop crossovers such as 'Danger of a Stranger,''Steady as the Rain,''Undercover Lovers' and 'Four Little Letters.'

After her days with Elektra, she submerged herself into the thriving theater scene of New York City, starring in several major Broadway touring productions, including 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,''Gentleman Prefer Blondes' and 'Pump Boys & Dinettes.' The productions were an incredible success, with Stella receiving phenomenal reviews.

Stella’s career is like a kaleidoscope of creative talent – beautiful, inspiring, heart-warming and full of color – encompassing everything from music and writing to acting. Thankfully, she has never been one to be held back by the proverbial “glass ceiling,” or any other creative boundaries, Stella’s pure and characteristic blend of country, bluegrass, gospel, jazz and blues mixed with her sincere and faithful heart makes her one of America’s richest musical treasures!

AM: Stella, Mountain Songbird, your tribute to Dolly is such an enjoyable album. How did you narrow down the songs you wanted to record?

SP: It took me years to figure this out. I started working on this album ten years ago. The more I delved into Dolly’s catalog, which is so vast, with over 3000 songs, I did get discombobulated for a little bit. Finally I just decided I would work on it from a place that resonated inside me. I realized that a lot of her story songs from the Seventies were my favorites.

AM: Those are some of my favorites too.

SP: I consider that one of her most fertile songwriting times. I also realized her songs were so advanced compared to songs other people were recording at that time. Those story songs are amazing. ‘Down From Dover’ is amazing. These are like two and a half minute movies. She’s so gifted with wrapping a story up in two and a half minutes.

AM: Those songs really are ahead of their time.

SP: Way ahead of their time. They are epic novels told in a couple minutes. So I decided to cover the story songs. I knew I would have to record ‘I Will Always Love You’ too.

AM: Of course!

SP: A lot of people told me they couldn’t believe I had the courage to record that! I said, “Excuse me! I’m not trying to suit somebody else.” I didn’t make this album to cater to radio or even to fans. My only motive was to do a tribute to Dolly. Of course I’m going to include two or three of her most popular songs.

AM: You absolutely made the right choices.

SP: Besides ‘I Will Always Love You’ that would include ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and ‘Jolene.’ I put them on the album, but from my perspective.

AM: The album is really well produced.

SP: I tried not to over produce it. I worked with several different producers but ultimately I pulled away from all of that. I decided to just do it myself other than the three cuts I did with Jerry Salley , which have more of a bluegrass feel. As far as the rest, I was just singing my sister’s songs. The songs stand on their own.

AM: You are your own songwriter as well. I love how you wrote ‘Mountain Songbird’ with Tom T. Hall and his wife Dixie.

SP: Yes I wrote it with Miss Dixie and Tom T., actually it was Miss Dixie who was the one who helped me formulate the concept and the end result. I worked on that song for ten years trying to figure out what to do. Everybody I worked with wanted to make it a statement about themselves. I didn’t want it to be anyone’s statement. It’s a tribute to my sister, not to me. Miss Dixie understood the dilemma I was facing and she told me, “Come on out to the home studio and work on your song with us.” We came up with the right concept and that song gave me the platform to do the album from my perspective.

AM: I really like it and think you are your own gifted songwriter.

SP: I appreciate that.

AM: Even though I’m a longtime fan, I was unaware of what a savvy business woman you are. You started your own independent label long before it became the norm. What possessed you to do that?

SP: Necessity and rejection. Everyone in Nashville said no to me, but I’m not one to be pushed around. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so I thought I’d do it myself. Every record label in town rejected ‘I Want To Hold You In My Dreams.’ Not one producer wanted anything to do with me because I was Dolly’s little sister. I thought, “To hell with all of you. I’ll do this myself.” Before they caught me, I had a Billboard hit.

AM: Have you always been an independent thinker?

SP: I guess so but it’s because I have been pushed around by the good ole boys in this industry. I could have gone back under the porch like a whipped dog but I decided that I had a right to have a life. I had a right to have a career. Everybody else has a right so why shouldn’t I? I did it because it was what I had to do.

AM: I find that to be one of your most outstanding qualities.

SP: It is my nature. I am stubborn. I use that aspect of my personality to say, “Listen God gave me this life and this gift and I don’t need other people to give me permission to have a dream.” I certainly don’t need to put my dreams away in a box. I’m not doing that! Who has the right to tell me that?

AM: You really are a good role model for women or anyone for that matter.

SP: I had a kid to raise. I was a single mother by the time he was four years old. I had dreams and hopes for him and I grew up singing myself. I didn’t get into the business because of my sister. We all grew up doing the same thing. The general public doesn’t know that. That’s what we are as a family. I saw opportunities and I still see opportunities and I try to seize opportunities when they present themselves.

AM: I know you have been an actress for several years and you’re about to film the next ‘Coat of Many Colors’ movie. Are you looking forward to that?

SP: I’m excited about this time in my life. I think it’s a productive, creative time. I’ve always acted. I’m just happy and pleased I get to be a part of these movies. Even though it is Dolly’s movie, it’s about me too. (Laughter) It’s all my loved ones too so I’m happy to be a part of it.

AM: Is acting as much of a passion for you as singing?

SP: I really have the bug for acting. I was one of the first Country Music artists to appear on ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ playing a character role. I realized then I could act. The director, Bill Asher told me I was talented and had natural timing.

AM: Well there you go!

SP: I enjoyed it and it was fun so I started taking acting lessons. I was able to star in four Broadway touring musicals.

AM: That takes real talent and hard work.

SP: I try to incorporate all that I have done into my current shows. It’s all creative. I don’t think there’s one thing I should do or not do. If it comes to mind and I get inspired by it, I just do it.

AM: I have been enjoying your singing for many years now and I think you can sing anything you want. Your voice is soulful.

SP: Thank you, I just finished a project that we are mixing this week. It’s called ‘Nashville Nights’ and it’s a bunch of cover tunes like ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and ‘Bad Moon Rising.’ I like to sing a lot of different types of music and I don’t worry about how slick it is or how perfect it is. I just concern myself with how honest it is.

AM: Is there anything left for you to do that you haven’t done?

SP: Yes, I would love to star in a production on the London stage and I would love to have one of my screenplays made into a movie. I’d also love to star on Broadway. That’s my bucket list. I’ll have to live to be 115 in order to do all the projects I have lined up right now.

To learn more about Stella Parton visit her web site http://www.stellaparton.com/http://www.stellaparton.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Barbecue is a traditional style of preparing beef unique to the cuisine of Texas and other Southern states. It is one of the many different varieties of barbecue found around the world.

Texas barbecue traditions can be divided into four general styles: East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and West Texas. The Central and East Texas varieties are generally the most well-known. Central Texas style is when the meat is rubbed with spices and cooked over indirect heat from hickory wood. This is the type of BBQ you will find at Baker’s Ribs in Weatherford, Texas.

At a typical Central Texas pit barbecue restaurant, like Baker’s Ribs, the customer takes a tray cafeteria style and is served by a butcher who carves the meat by weight; side dishes and desserts are then picked up along the line with sliced white bread, pickles, sliced onion, and jalapeno. Barbecue meats are commonly sold by the pound. The emphasis of Central Texas pit barbecue is on the meat, sauce is usually considered a side dip for wetting purposes.

Pulled Pork & Sausage

Central Texas pit-style barbecue was established in the 19th century along the Chisum Trail in the towns of Lockhart, Luling, and Taylor. The German and other European immigrants owned meat packing plants opened retail meat markets serving cooked meats wrapped in red butcher's paper-- this tradition continues to this day in many central Texas towns. Also, this barbecue style's popularity has spread considerably around the world, especially to Southern California, New York City, and in Britain and Australia.

The term BBQ is used as a verb for the act of cooking food in this manner. Barbecuing is usually done out-of-doors by smoking the meat over the wood. Restaurant barbecue may be cooked in large brick or metal ovens, typically called a pit, designed for that purpose.

Pulled Pork Sandwich

No one is really sure where the term barbecue originated. The conventional wisdom is that the Spanish, upon landing in the Caribbean, used the word barbacoa to refer to the natives’ method of slow-cooking meat over a wooden platform. By the 19th century, the culinary technique was well established in the American South, and because pigs were prevalent in the region, pork became the primary meat at barbecues. Barbecue allowed an abundance of food to be cooked at once and quickly became the go-to menu item for large gatherings like church festivals and neighborhood picnics.

The generally accepted differences between barbecuing and grilling are cooking durations and the types of heat used. Grilling is generally done quickly over moderate-to-high direct heat that produces little smoke, while barbecuing is done slowly over low, indirect heat and the food is flavored by the smoking process.

Pork Ribs

Pitmaster Brian Krier has been serving award winning BBQ for over 20 years now. He has racked up the People Choice Award for Pork Sliders and Potato Salad from the East Parker County Chamber of Commerce, the 2002 Business of the Year from the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, and his restaurant Baker’s Ribs has been voted Best BBQ by Ft. Worth Weekly and for many years, including 2016, voted Best BBQ by Ft. Worth Star Telegram.

AM: Brian, how did you get into the BBQ business?

BK: I graduated from college and I couldn’t find a job.My dad told me he would help me get a restaurant of my own after I learned about it. My uncle, Joe Duncan owned a BBQ restaurant, so I told him I would work for him and learn the business. I thought I was going to work for him for 6 months and I ended up doing it for several years in Dallas before I got my own location in Weatherford.

AM: So you always wanted to work with food?

BK: Absolutely, I always knew I wanted to have a restaurant I just didn’t know it was going to be a BBQ place. I thought it would be a steak house.

Smoked Brisket

AM: What do you think you bring to the business to make it thrive?

BK: I think it’s my love of food and my commitment to always using the highest quality of food I can find.

AM: What kind of wood do you smoke your meat with?

BK: We smoke our meat with hickory wood.

AM: What sets your meat apart from all the other BBQ restaurants in the area?

BK: First, I pray over the meat every night before smoking it and I believe God blesses it. Next we use only the highest quality meats and we smoke them for eighteen hours.

Grilled Chicken

AM: What do you say to the people who think that BBQ is an unhealthy food?

BK: It’s actually one of the more healthy ways to cook meat. You don’t cook it in oil or butter, all you need is heat and smoke. It’s straight ahead meat and a little seasoning, nothing else.

AM: Has BBQ become more popular over time?

BK: Yes, BBQ has been on a growth spurt for the last several years. It’s a national phenomenon. I think as long as your food is good it’s always going to trend.

AM: What is your relationship like with your customers?

BK: We see a lot of new customers because we are located on a major highway and we get a lot of repeat customers as well. I love our loyal customers. I enjoy visiting with them and learning about their lives and families.

Follow Baker's Ribs in Weatherford on twitter https://twitter.com/BakersRibs

www.bakersribs.com

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Ronnie McDowell has an amazing string of hit songs that he has amassed over the years, but it is his riveting stage presence and genuine warmth that fills the seats again and again. Like all great entertainers, Ronnie McDowell has a personality that remains luminous long after the lights go dim. These qualities have inspired a nationwide network of fan-clubs with thousands of members, each one a devoted promoter of everything McDowell does.

Following the death of Elvis Presley in 1977, Ronnie McDowell came out of nowhere to dazzle the world with his heartfelt and self-penned tribute song “The King Is Gone” on the independent Scorpion label. The record took off immediately, gaining airplay on country and pop stations across the country and around the world. To date, “The King Is Gone” has sold more than 5 Million copies.

All of a sudden, the young Vietnam Veteran from Portland, Tennessee was a star, and he quickly proved that he wasn’t just a one-trick pony. McDowell scored a second hit for the Scorpion label titled “I Love You, I Love You, I Love You” before being wooed and signed by CBS Records – Epic label in 1979.

Ronnie McDowell charted a string of hit singles and albums for Epic between 1979 and 1986. Every single release with the exception of just one became a Top 10 Hit including the chart toppers “Older Women” and “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation.” Other hits during his Epic years included “Watchin’ Girls Go By,” “Personally,” “You Made A Wanted Man Of Me,” “All Tied Up,” and “In A New York Minute.”

Ronnie toured constantly to support each album release and consequently built an astounding fan base throughout the country. He sought the advice of artists such as Conway Twitty who became, in essence, not only his mentor but his friend as well. Twitty helped the young singer with advice about touring, recording and most of all entertaining the fans.

Moving to Curb Records in 1986, his current label to date, Ronnie McDowell scored a Top 10 hit with “It’s Only Make Believe,” a duet with Conway Twitty on what was Twitty’s breakthrough hit from 1958. Two years later Ronnie teamed up with Jerry Lee Lewis for a rocking duet that McDowell wrote titled, “You’re Never Too Old To Rock N’ Roll.” He also recorded yet another Top 10 hit with his version of the pop standard “Unchained Melody,” which also became a #1 country music video. To date, Ronnie has scored over 30 top ten records. His entertaining abilities soared and he began to draw larger crowds. He started appearing in larger venues and touring with artists such as Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn before headlining his own shows.

Two of Ronnie’s most recent projects on Curb Records include an album of beach music with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters, entitled, “Ronnie McDowell with Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters”. The second project is a new country album titled “Ronnie McDowell Country”, a collection of six new McDowell penned songs, and a few country standards by such Legendary writers as Buck Owens, Harlan Howard and Dallas Frazier.

Ronnie McDowell is still constantly in demand on the road and he tours relentlessly with his band. Additionally, he often tours with Elvis Presley’s original sideman D.J. Fontana along with Ray Walker a longtime member of The Jordanaires staging a tribute to Elvis Presley’s music. Ronnie McDowell sang 36 songs on the soundtrack “Elvis,” the Dick Clark-produced television movie that featured Kurt Russell as the performer. He also was the singing voice for the television movie “Elvis And Me”, the ABC television series about the early years of Elvis’ career titled simply “Elvis” as well as, the 1997 Showtime special “Elvis Meets Nixon.”

While Elvis Presley has played a big part in Ronnie McDowell’s musical career over the years, Ronnie continues to entertain audiences with his own blend of romantic intimacy and country excitement! He looks great, he sounds great, and judging from the longtime adoration of his fans, he seems to grow better with each passing year!

AM: Ronnie, you exploded onto the music scene when you started. What was that like?

RM: I’ll be totally honest with you. It was like literally turning your life upside down over night. I watched ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ the other night and it reminded me of when I walked into a little AM radio station with an acetate disk.

AM: I haven’t heard of an acetate for a long time.

RM: You know an acetate was a big record that you could get made for about eight bucks. You couldn’t play them too many times but it was an inexpensive way to have your song on a record. I had eight of them made the morning after I had recorded my song, ‘The King Is Gone’ unbeknownst to me at Scotty Moore’s studio.

AM: That was Elvis’s guitar player!

RM: Yes and I didn’t know that at the time. So the next morning I flew down to Nashville. I didn’t sleep at all and I held that tape in my arms all night.

AM: I bet!

RM: So I went to Monument and was sitting on the steps and here’s another irony, it was Scotty Moore’s girlfriend Gail Pollock, they’ve both passed now. They were together forty something years.

AM: That is amazing.

RM: I didn’t know that was Scotty Moore’s girlfriend! I would have freaked out if I’d known. So anyway I told her I wanted some acetates made because I thought I had a hit song. She asked me what I had and I told her it was a song about Elvis. So we made the acetates and I went to a little AM station called WENO in Madison, Tennessee.

AM: Why did you choose that station?

RM: I don’t really know, except I thought I’d have a better shot at getting the song played. So I walked in to the station and asked the secretary if they would play the record and she told they didn’t do that for someone walking in off the street. I told her it was a song about Elvis so she said, “Well hold on a minute.” She went and talked to a DJ behind some glass. I could tell he was listening to a little of it and then he pointed his finger at me and told me to come back so I went back there.

AM: You got further than most already.

RM: He told me to stand right there and he would play the record. He warned me we may not get any reaction so don’t get my hopes up. This is the God’s truth; he put that needle down on the turntable and before the song was half over, all of his phone lines were lit up.

AM: Wow! How exciting.

RM: He said something was wrong with the phones, but he would pick up each line and I’d hear him say, “OK, OK, OK.” Then he told me these people want me to play the song again right after it finishes playing the first time.

AM: Awesome!

RM: The phone lines stayed lit through the whole song. By the way, that was only two blocks from Colonel Tom Parker’s house. Anyway, my original point was about Buddy Holly and how the same thing happened with his song, ’That’ll Be The Day’ at a radio station in New York. Some guy walked into the radio station and started playing that song and they had to break the door down to get him to stop. Buddy Holly and the Crickets were on tour and Buddy got a phone call telling him he had a hit record in New York.

AM: I didn’t know that.

RM: My point to all of that is that now a young boy can’t walk into a radio station and ask them to play a song. It’s not going to happen.

AM: No it’s not.

RM: It’s a different world and a different time but I’m sure glad I grew up when I did in the business. I got to work with Marty Robbins, George Jones, Hank Snow, Roy Acuff and Conway Twitty. I grew up at the perfect time in the music business.

AM: It’s so unlikely that you are this fully realized, independent artist and still have such a strong Elvis connection.

RM: There’s always a reason and a rhyme for everything. There’s even more connection. The first place I ever sang in my life was in Vietnam on an old World War II aircraft carrier. They made the stage out of the elevator that took the planes up to the flight deck. Just before I sang for the first time in my life in front of anybody I sang, ‘When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again,’ an old Elvis song, but just before I walked up there, this old guy grabbed my arm and said to me, “Son I was here in 1956 when we were docked in San Diego and Elvis Presley stood right there where you are standing now. Elvis was on the Milton Berle show.

AM: This is unbelievable!

RM: That was the first time I ever sang in front of anybody and I sang an Elvis song. Now listen to this, my daughter called me not too long ago and asked me if I knew who Elvis Presley’s grandfather was and I said, “Yes I do.” There is nothing about Elvis that I don’t know. I know more about Elvis then he knew about himself. She told me to google Elvis’s grandfather and you know what his name was? Jessie D. McDowell Presley!

AM: This is remarkable. I hope your career goes another 30 years Ronnie.

RM: Oh yeah, I’m still having fun. I still enjoy performing and I’m still writing songs for everybody. I got into the business as a songwriter. I’ve got a song out right now by a Pop music group called Tusk.

AM: You stay busy.

RM: I do. I also paint, because to me it’s all the right side of the brain and being creative. I’ve been blessed with a lot of creativity and I use it. My doctor told me, “Ronnie you either use it or you lose it and by the way, that goes for everything!” (Big Laughter)

To learn more about Ronnie McDowell visit his web site http://www.ronniemcdowell.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer Make-up & Hair: Rudy Calvo

Miss Spanky Wilson is an artist who is beyond categorization. Her recordings go wider than any one category. She has achieved a strong following, especially in Europe, where her funkier tracks have graced several compilation CDs.

Spanky was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Pittsburgh. Her father was a professional guitarist and singer and he encouraged his daughter’s aspirations to be a singer, something she said she had always wanted to do for as long as she could remember. Her mother sang too.

Spanky always loved jazz, because her father loved jazz. Her mother liked blues, so she would hear the two but she really gravitated to the jazz. Spanky made her first professional performance in Pittsburgh with brothers and Pittsburgh natives, Stanley and Tommy Turrentine, respectively saxophonist and trumpeter in 1963, at a place called the Mocambo Club. Regular local club work followed through the sixties, culminating in her being ‘discovered’ in 1967 by Jimmy McGriff. He took her on the road with him, culminating in Los Angeles. It was there she came to the attention of H.B. Barnum who was becoming a noted producer/arranger.

The first result was the ‘Spankin’ Brand New’ album, recorded in Annex Studios in Hollywood. All eleven tracks on the album were written or co-written by Howlett Smith, a notable jazz pianist, vocalist and composer. Altogether a very classy set and bound to appeal to those who appreciate what best can be described as a ‘song stylist.’

A year later, Spanky was back with her second album, ‘Doin’ It’, a further collaboration with H.B. Barnum and a distinct move towards a straighter soul market. ‘Doin’ It’ boasted a number of funky items that have proved popular with the cd compilers including her version of Cream’s ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and ‘You’, a heavy brass and fuzzy guitar item, that was sampled by Hip-Hop artist W. Ellington Felton in 2008. The intro to her song ‘Who's Sorry Now’ was sampled by the group Monosurround in 2002 and The Bahama Soul Club in 2013.

There was an enforced gap of two years before she could get back in the studios in California, again with H.B. Barnum, to cut her third album, ‘Let It Be’. All three of her Mothers albums have been reissued in Japan by P-Vine Records.

In 1970, Spanky recorded the theme from the film ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ and its composer, Lalo Schiffrin, recommended her for a tour of Brazil, where she was particularly feted in Rio De Janeiro, resulting in her returning regularly throughout the seventies.

Recording-wise, the next label home for Spanky was Eastbound Records. She recorded the single coupling ‘Shake Your Head’ and ‘Home’ before being switched to the parent Westbound label for her album, entitled ‘Specialty Of The House’. ACE Records reissued the ‘Specialty Of The House’ album with seven bonus tracks in 2007 called 'The Westbound Years.'

From that mid-seventies point, Spanky’s recordings became somewhat sporadic, guest appearances coming on albums, but this did not mean there was any let up in her performing career. In the early eighties, she became part of Benny Carter’s All Star Band, having worked with Benny before with his Quartet on one of her Brazilian trips.

She went to Paris in 1985. A booking at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at Le Méridien Etoile hotel in the city led to further work which prompted her to make Paris her home for a while. Spanky made many appearances on record in France.

Spanky returned to Los Angeles in 2001. She is one of the most frequently sampled artists of our time. It’s unfortunate that none of these artists whose music is sampled make a penny from that.

Spanky Wilson went to Paris in 2003 to record a live album with the François Laudet Big Band. She has also subsequently been hot on the club scene with ‘Don’t Joke with a Hungry Man’ by the Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Spanky Wilson.

In 2012 Spanky collaborated with Ruckrus Robticus for the cut, “T.G.I.F. (thank God It's Funky).’

AM: Spanky, how does it feel to be back in Los Angeles after 6 years in Pittsburg?

SW: I felt like I was living in the Outer Limits or the Twilight Zone! (Laughter) It feels good to be back in the land of sunshine! I’m from Pittsburg but I’m never leaving California again.

AM: You lived in Paris for a while too didn’t you?

SP: Yes I called Paris home for sixteen years.

AM: What was your favorite part of living in Paris?

SW: The city itself. In California you have to drive everywhere but in Paris you can walk to so many things and I wasn’t used to that. There are so many beautiful things to see in the city itself. I remember walking for three hours and never even realizing it. You can feel so many things too. It’s fabulous and I love that city.

AM: They love your music too!

SW: Well, thank goodness for that! (Laughter)

AM: When was the last time you were there?

SW: In 2007 while I was on tour with an English band, Quantic Soul Orchestra, that does retro R&B. I didn’t know I could sing in that style but I learned that is some other kind of music I CAN sing. Anyway we stopped in Paris and I got to see friends and my ex-husband.

AM: You are known as an artist who is difficult to categorize.

SW: Thank goodness for that! Thank you for saying that. I don’t like being in a box. I love all kinds of music. I only sing songs that I feel. How can I make you feel it if I don’t feel it?

AM: How does it feel having your early recordings come back to life and find a new audience?

SW: It feels wonderful. I think it’s because of the London band. My music never was originally released in England. Only two songs made it to England and one is called ‘You’ written by Howlett Smith and the Cream song, ‘Sunshine of Your Love.’ So this guy in England, Will Holland looked for me for two years. I couldn’t believe it. I was so glad he found me. He looked for two years because he wanted me to sing on the songs he wrote. That’s what put me back out there. I started getting attention again.

AM: I love the recordings you made with Westbound. What’s your favorite of those?

SW: Oh really! My favorite is the song called ‘Home’ that Howlett Smith wrote again. It’s such a beautiful, sentimental song. It can bring me to tears just listening to it.

AM: I love the album you made with the Quantic Soul Orchestra.

SW: That’s what I was telling you, Will Holland wrote those songs and he doesn’t even know music. They have these computers where all you do is play the note on the piano and it comes up on the computer. It’s so much easier now. He created all these songs and they are all really good songs.

AM: It seems like the music was written especially for you since you were so good and natural at singing it.

SW: I never thought of it that way. He told me he can only hear my voice singing the songs. I couldn’t believe it. I thought nobody knew about me. It was such a compliment. I was happy about the whole thing.

AM: And now you’re back to performing and from what I hear you are still phenomenal.

SW: I performed at the LACMA museum in Los Angeles. It was great to see lots of old friends. It was a beautiful concert. It was completely full too. Now I am going to perform at Maverick's Flat, a legendary club in Los Angeles from the 1960’s. They are now doing a jazz series on Sunday evenings. I’ll be doing that on August 7. I got a big smile on my face.

AM: You like performing live don’t you?

SW: Oh I love it. It’s about connecting. I like the eye contact with people. I still get nervous before I sing. Once I’m up on stage I am OK.

AM: Spanky, you told me once you wanted to sound like a horn when you sang. Is that still true?

SW: Yes, the only singers I used to listen to were Nat King Cole and Dinah Washington. I don’t have many records of singers. I prefer listening to horn players. It had an impact on me because I’ve had some musicians tell me I sing like a horn and I think it’s because I only listened to horns. That was a compliment to me!

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Over the past few years, Emmet Cahill’s life has been transformed from a young man pursuing a career in classical music to being plunged into the world of touring across cities and performing to thousands of fans with world renowned Irish music show Celtic Thunder. After five years of phenomenal success, including three albums shooting to number 1 on the world billboard charts, Emmet is now carving out his own unique identity as a solo artist, with an eagerly anticipated debut solo album due to be released in February 2017.

Growing up in a musical household, pursuing a career in music was always a natural path for Emmet to take. From the tender age of four, his father began to provide music lessons, leading to a 5 year ‘Schola Cantorum’ music scholarship at his local secondary school. After attending formal classical training at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music, Emmet soon found himself touring the world, from the United States, to Canada, to Australia as a lead singer with the Irish music group, and relishing every moment of it.

Emmet’s talents have been recognized both home and abroad. He has enjoyed success as a multiple prize winner in various competitions across Ireland, the RIAM ‘Promising young singer of 2010’, the ‘John McCormack Young Tenor Award’, as well as being voted ‘Tenor of the year’ in 2013 by The Irish Music Association in the United States in recognition of his performances on stage. He also performed in stage productions at The National Concert Hall as well as The Gaeity Theatre, Dublin.

With the release of his debut album next year, the next few months will be an exciting creative process for Emmet. During his time with Celtic Thunder, he has been immersed in a variety of distinct musical genres, awakening his passion for Irish music as well as other styles.

As he continues to challenge himself and test the boundaries of his musical character, many wait in eager anticipation of what 2017 will bring for this young solo artist.

AM: Emmet, have you started recording your new album yet?

EC: We start as soon as I get home to Ireland. I’ll record the vocals and piano along with the band first. We’ll be recording the orchestra later in the summer.

AM: When will you release it?

EC: The plan is to release it in February 2017. I’ll do a spring tour in conjunction with that. This is my first large scale album. I’m very excited about it. I’ve been working towards this for five years now.

AM: That is a long time. Why has it taken so long to get your album out?

EC: I think one reason is that I want to do it right. I wanted to be sure I was in the right head space to do it and obviously picking the right songs.

AM: What are the right songs?

EC: The songs I’ve picked have been reflective of my life experiences over the last year and a half and touring on my own. I’ve been meeting people all the time and really seeing the great connection the American people have with Irish music and culture. Also I’ve been hearing lots of human stories and that’s what this album is all about.

AM: What are your goals with this music?

EC: We are trying to achieve bringing people back to an older time. Maybe bring back some happy memories from when they were kids. I think people are seeking this at the moment by the way the world is right now. They want to go back to more traditional ways. The songs on my album will do that as well as telling stories. We’re hoping it will be a nice mixture of those things.

AM: Can you tell me if the album is going to be Irish folk songs?

EC: I can tell you it’s no secret that what I feel I am strongest at is the old classical Irish songs. I’ll be recording ‘Danny Boy’ of course. There’s a song called ‘My Cavan Girl’ which is a song my dad taught me. This will be about my own personal experience growing up in Ireland. I want to bring that story to the American public so I can hear their reaction. So it will be a culmination of growing up in Ireland and spending the last few years here in America.

AM: Speaking of ‘Danny Boy,’ can you believe you have made that song yours?

EC: Well, it’s one of those songs that has been sung so many times and by so many different artists and it’s such a beautiful song, it’s open to people making it their own. It’s very kind of you to say, I’d like to think I do bring my own personality to it. Certainly I bring my own emotion to it. It’s hard to get through it without breaking down. It’s a very emotional song for me and when I sing it I see the audience reaction.

AM: Your rendition stops people in their tracks.

EC: Everyone has their own special connection to that song. It’s an eternally beautiful song. Even if you’ve never been to Ireland people have a connection to ‘Danny Boy.’ This is an example of what we’re trying to do with the album. We are trying to speak to people and bring out their emotions. It’s not an album with a list of songs. There will be a lot more depth to it.

AM: What do you want people to take away with them after seeing you sing live?

EC: I want people to come to my show and walk away feeling they have really had an experience. I want them to feel an experience because I feel a connection to it. I want people to come to a show and laugh and cry. I want people to achieve both things. I think if you can experience both those emotions then you have really been touched by the music.

AM: Don’t you think you were born to be a singer?

EC: It’s something I’ve always done. I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t the focal point of my life. My dad was a musician and a music teacher and my mother was a singer so it was always in the house and it was always going to be that way. Music was always going to be a part of my life. Now I didn’t think it was going to be as essential to my life as it is.

AM: What has touring with Celtic Thunder and on your own been like?

EC: It’s been a roller coaster ride the last five years coming to America touring, particularly the last eighteen months. It’s given me a real indication of what I want to do with my life. I do want to tell stories and bring these songs to people.

AM: You seem to have a very close and special relationship with your fans. Why do you think that is?

EC: First off, they are hugely supportive. I think a lot of them see me as part of their family which is lovely to hear. I’ve gotten to know so many of the fans very well. I know the majority on a first name basis. I think it’s reflective of the music I’m performing. The people are really connected to it. It’s much more personal than just being a fan.

AM: What is your favorite part of interacting fans?

EC: The one thing I enjoy most of all is meeting people and hearing their human experiences and stories. Those are the things that I can hopefully capture when I go out on stage. I love talking to people after shows. The fans aren’t hesitant about telling me their stories and why they’re connected to a certain song. They give me an insight into their life. That’s what I’m interested in. I’m interested in human stories. When I come to America, it’s such a vast continent you meet so many types of people from different backgrounds. That’s what makes it all so interesting and so enjoyable.

To learn more about Emmet Cahill visit his web site http://www.emmetcahill.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

This is the sixth time Gilles Marini has been on my blog! If you haven’t seen any of the other blogs I’ve done with him then you should click the links to learn about his past and what we’ve talked about before as well as the large variety of photos I have taken of him. They are all right below for easy access.

This time around I met with Gilles at his home in the Hollywood hills and we talked while he made me a French breakfast. (a croissant & cappuccino) After that I took a few casual shots of him. I’ve known Gilles and his family since 2008 so it is always an easy and relaxed vibe. Gilles is a total "beautiful being" and spending time with him is an elevating experience. His charm is revealed by an authentic desire to 'give to you' while he is with you. I am always happily swept up in his kinetic and loving energy. This man is sincere!

Gilles Marini exploded onto the scene as "Dante", the Casanova living in the beach house next door to Kim Cattrall's "Samantha" on the Sex and the City movie, a role which has earned him international recognition. Though people went to the theaters to see Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, they left with one thing on their mind....Gilles's shower scene.

Gilles has been seen on television on ‘Modern Family,’ '2 Broke Girls,'‘Castle, ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Windfall,’ ‘Teen Wolf,’ ‘Devious Maids,’ ‘Switched At Birth,’ ‘Hot In Cleveland,’ ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ ‘The Mysteries of Laura’ and in several soap operas, including ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and’ Passions.’ His recent film credits include ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,’ ‘Mothers and Daughters,’ ‘The List’ and ‘The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down.’

He has appeared in many television commercials and print ads for companies like Budweiser, Clairol, Coca Cola, Ross, Chrysler, Fila, GNC, Infiniti, Mervins, Avon, Lord and Taylor, Robinsons May, etc.

Gilles lives with his wife Carole and his two children, George and Juliana in Los Angeles.

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2009/03/gilles-marini-new-photos-by-alan-mercer.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2009/03/gilles-marini-interview.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2009/08/gilles-marini-gives-back.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-year-anniversary-with-gilles-marini.html

http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2013/09/gilles-marini.html

AM: Gilles, I loved you on ‘Devious Maids’ and was so shocked to find out you were the bad guy!

GM: It was nice to play a bad guy. I always wanted to play a character who was more on the edge. We worked very hard to make sure the audience had no idea I was going to be a bad guy.

AM: You have found quite a bit of work on television.

GM: Yes, it’s not like I only want to do this, but there is so much more work on the many networks and so few movies being made. There are really only four or five big movies a year. It’s a different format these days. Being on TV is the thing to do. I’ve been doing this nine years non-stop and I will never say no to movies, especially if it’s a meaningful, independent film.

AM: Which you have done.

GM: Yes, I want to make more films in that direction. I have no complaints. Now it’s more about creating and writing some new ideas. Because of the amount of work I’ve done, I think a couple of doors are open. I can at least get people to look at a project I bring. Hopefully something comes out of it. So far the response has been phenomenal so I’m very excited.

AM: Do you consider yourself a writer?

GM: Writer is a big word obviously. What I do is bring ideas to the table with two of my associates. One of them is a good writer and he listens very well and then he writes the story. He’s the one who puts it down because he knows the formats. He has the talent to understand the concept I am bringing. So far we have two scripted shows that we have collaborated on.

AM: If he writes, what do you do?

GM: I do the non-scripted side of it. I bring the synopsis to the network and they tell you if they like it or not. These are projects I’ve always wanted to do.

AM: Are we talking dramas?

GM: On the scripted side there is a more action based, supernatural drama and the other one is a medical drama.

AM: What's the main difference between them?

GM: The supernatural one is more fast moving and the medical one is more every day. They would have a different fan base, but both are being received pretty well right now. I’m excited to see where it goes.

AM: It seems logical to me that you would be more in charge of a show you are on. What's the benefit of running your own show in Hollywood?

GM: I don’t think it’s just Hollywood. I think it’s every business. People see you one way and it’s difficult to make a network executive see you in a different light. I understand that. I don’t want to play a Boston cop. That would be stupid, but I am an actor and it would be nice for people to see me in a different light.

AM: That's what acting is all about.

GM: I like to pretend to be someone else and make sure I am challenged. That is the reason I am now writing. You are the only one who knows what you are capable of. I am well aware of that. I wrote things that are challenging and things I am passionate about. Hopefully we get a go and I have a chance to show what I really can do.

AM: I do know whatever you create will be good.

GM: You never know. You see incredible actors with great shows lasting four episodes. Networks don’t have a lot of time, but fortunately there are a lot more networks now.

AM: Would you be willing to be on Netflix or amazon?

GM: Willing!?! I’d love for them to say, “We love it!” They are more than the new format, they are THEE format.

AM: Streaming is the standard now.

GM: I don’t know how long studios will last anymore. They could be gone ten years from now. As long as young people go see big action-packed superhero movies, the studios will be able to make four or five a year and make big money. If that template fades away, then I doubt the studios can make any type of money.

AM: So your manager and agent will get you meetings with the networks and Netflix to pitch the shows?

GM: Yes, I’m sure they will. It’s a long process but it’s super exciting because it’s undeniably something I want to do.

AM: It seems to me you have just walked through the door of the time your career can be going full speed ahead.

GM: I think from forty to fifty it will be something that can show more dimensions. I’m not a child anymore and I have a lot of life experience, but I’m not old yet.

To learn more about Gilles visit his web site http://www.gillesmarini.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Along with many accolades including awards from Billboard, Cashbox and Record World, Country Music Legend Jeannie Seely has achieved No. 1 songs as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. Early in her career, Jeannie’s deeply moving vocals aptly earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul”. Jeannie’s recording of “Don’t Touch Me” not only topped the country music charts, but also earned her a Grammy Award for the “Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female”. It is ranked at No. 97 in the book ‘Country Music’s 500 Greatest Singles’ published by the Country Music Foundation, and it’s also included in ‘The Stories Behind Country Music’s All-Time Greatest 100 Songs.’

Born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and raised on a farm outside of nearby Townville, Jeannie was singing on Meadville radio station WMGW at age 11. By 16 she was performing on TV station WICU in Erie. When she moved to Nashville upon the encouragement of friend Dottie West, Jeannie only had $50 and a Ford Falcon to her name, but within a month Porter Wagoner hired her as the female singer for his road and television series.

On September 16, 1967, Jeannie’s biggest dream came true when she became the first Pennsylvania native to become a member of the world famous Grand Ole Opry. Jeannie subsequently became the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry shows. She’s also credited for wearing the first mini-skirt on the Opry stage, as well as for changing the image of female country performers.

A BMI-awarded songwriter, Jeannie’s songs have been recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame members Faron Young, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Ernest Tubb and Little Jimmy Dickens, as well as by many other artists including Norma Jean, Doyle Lawson, Lorrie Morgan, Connie Smith, Irma Thomas, Dottie West and Tex Williams.

With Opry member Jack Greene, Jeannie recorded the hit ‘Wish I Didn’t Have To Miss You’ which began a series of successful duet recordings – and launched one of the most popular road shows in country music history. For over a decade, Jack and Jeannie toured and performed together at venues that included New York’s Madison Square Garden and London’s Wembley Arena.

Along with placing records on the Billboard country singles chart for 13 consecutive years, Jeannie also served as a radio disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show, traveled on military tours throughout Europe and Asia, made numerous appearances on national television shows, published her own book of witticisms titled Pieces of a Puzzled Mind and starred in several major stage productions including Always, Patsy Cline and ‘The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.’ Jeannie also appeared in Willie Nelson’s ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ movie and sang on the platinum soundtrack album. Jeannie has been known throughout her career as an individualist, as well as for her infectious humor. Despite personal and career setbacks that range from a 1977 near-fatal auto accident to a devastating flood in 2010 in which she lost her home, car and personal belongings, Jeannie Seely has remained a survivor with her sense of humor intact.

From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album ‘The Seely Style’ to her 2011 self-produced CD ‘Vintage Country,’ Jeannie’s recordings have spanned six decades and provided enjoyment to country music fans all around the world.

In his book Finding Her Voice: Women In Country Music, music critic Robert K. Oermann writes, "With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of country's most completely modern female personalities.”

AM: Jeannie, how many years have you been with the Grand Ole Opry?

JS: I’m in my forty ninth year now. I’m holding my breath and trying to be good so I can celebrate fifty next year. (Laughter) I joined September 16, 1967. I actually have two fiftieth anniversaries in a row. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of my Grammy award.

AM: The song you won for ‘Don’t Touch Me’ has never gone away has it?

JS: No, and I am so grateful every day. When Hank Cochran and I were looking for songs to record, he asked me what I wanted to sing. I told him I’d like to have a ballad that didn’t matter if you were a male or female, young, old, married or single, that the song would affect you. He said, “You don’t want much, do you?” (Laughter) I said I want a hit song!

AM: Well you got your hit!

JS: He did capture all I wanted in that song. The song has been recorded by many artists including many male singers. It’s just an incredible song. It’s as timely today as the day it was written.

AM: Your recording is certainly timeless.

JS: I saw Fred Foster who produced the record when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’m so proud of him. We talked about the record and how his idea to have the one xylophone note at the very beginning got everybody’s attention.

AM: Did you think you had a Grammy winner when you were finished recording?

JS: Oh no, they were so new back then nobody thought about it. I won the third one for a female Country singer. Dottie West won the first one in 1964 and Jody Miller won the second one in 1965 and I won in 1966.

AM: How does it feel to have a Grammy after all these years?

JS: It’s still amazing and I think the fact that it’s voted on by your peers makes that award even more special. We’re all friends in a competition, but we are all friends. Certainly in my generation, we all supported each other and wanted the best for each other. I think it probably stands true with today’s generation too. We all love the industry and we love our craft. You can’t help but admire when someone else creates something that stands on it’s own.

AM: You have another song that I love and it’s a sexy song called 'He Can Be Mine.'

JS: Yes, I guess it is. Back when I lived out in the country by Hendersonville before we had the interstate you had to go out Dickerson Road and Long Hollow Pike which is a long…hollow…pike. You would lose the radio in the pike so my pattern was to write songs and that’s how I wrote that song. I got home and went straight to the piano and a tablet to write the lyrics. I had it all down except one line. Hank was there at the time and I told him, what I want to say here is “He can yahoo if he wants to” but I thought it sounded kind of silly. He said it was a great line and if I didn’t use it he would, so I used it.

AM: I think that’s the sexiest part of the song. Have you seen the video of you in a white pantsuit with the bare midriff?

JS: I remember the outfit but I don’t know if I’ve seen the video. I’ll have to look for it! (Laughter)

AM: Can you tell me a little about your friendship with the late Dottie West?

JS: Yes, Dottie was so caring, loving, giving and understanding. We were the sort of friends who talked all the time, even in the middle of the night. I could tell her anything. She was a mentor to me.

AM: How did you meet?

JS: I met her when I was still living in Los Angeles. She came out to make an appearance at the old Palomino Club. She encouraged me to make the move to Nashville. She was also one of the first artists to record one of my songs. She introduced me to so many people.

AM: Jeannie, everyone I ever mention your name to, stops in their tracks and their eyes light up and they tell me how much they love you.

JS: What a wonderful thing to hear. Thank you for telling me that.

AM: You must constantly be asked for advice about career longevity. What do you tell these younger people?

JS: The main thing is to love what you are doing. We all get frustrated at certain places in our careers and in our lives period. You must keep in mind that the frustration is just a short amount of time in the whole scope of life. Just do your best to work through those times. Keep loving what you do and keep working at your craft.

AM: That certainly applies to everyone no matter what you do.

JS: We all have a tendency to get a little lackadaisical when we’ve been doing something for a long time. Also remember that change is important. As we get older we have a tendency not to like change as much.

AM: Yes I am seeing that with myself.

JS: I remind myself all the time, there’s always something good in any new change. When I look back I didn’t like all the changes going on in my heyday era, but I love my life now. I’m very grateful I’ve been able to see my dreams come true.

AM: How do you feel about the Grand Ole Opry these days?

JS: The Grand Ole Opry has always been one of the most coveted places for me. I grew up listening to it and even through some years where people put the Opry down and people started going to Branson, I said my heart is with the Grand Ole Opry. I was so glad I was able to get there. It’s my second home. That family is certainly a second family.

To learn more about Jeannie Seely visit her web site http://www.jeannieseely.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Melba Moore’s story is one of many ups and downs leading her to today where she is firmly established as an iconic “All Around Entertainer.” She is constantly touring and performing and this past year released her newest album of contemporary smooth R&B ‘Forever Moore’ to critical and commercial acclaim.

Hailing from a musical family, Melba Moore graduated from the famed Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. At the encouragement of her parents, she went on to pursue music education at Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education Degree. However, her inner voice told her to see if she could make it as a performer.

Melba’s stepfather, pianist Clement Moorman, introduced her to several agents which eventually landed her a role in the cult classic musical ‘HAIR.’ It was in ‘HAIR’ that Ms. Moore became the first African-American woman to replace a white actress, who happened to be the acclaimed Diane Keaton, in a lead role on Broadway. A year and a half later, she starred in ‘PURLIE,’ which earned her a TONY Award for her portrayal as “Lutiebelle". Melba later appeared alongside the iconic Eartha Kitt as “Marsinah" in the musical TIMBUKTU! Another first came when she landed the female lead role on Broadway as "Fantine" in the acclaimed musical, ‘Les Misérables.’ She was the first and last African-American woman to perform in that role.

Although Melba enjoyed working on Broadway, she didn’t want to forget about her first love…music. Deciding to focus more on her recording career, she made her recording debut on Mercury Records with ‘I Got Love,’ followed by ‘Look What You’re Doing To The Man.’ She was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best New Artist.’

During this time, she had numerous Grammy nominations, recordings, and television shows, including her own variety show entitled ‘The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show.’ Both Melba and Clifton revealed that the show was canceled after its brief run when their relationship ended. When Melba's managers and accountants left her in 1973, she returned to Newark and began singing in benefit concerts. Her career picked up after she met record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins after a performance at the Apollo Theater in 1974. They married in 1975.

Also in 1975 Moore signed with Buddah Records and released the critically successful album, ‘Peach Melba,’ which included the hit, ‘I Am His Lady.’ The following year she scored her first significant hit with the Van McCoy-penned ‘This Is It’ a top-10 song in the UK, becoming her biggest success in that country. 'This is It' also became the number 1 disco track in the UK for that year.

In 1976 she scored her third Grammy nomination with the ballad ‘Lean on Me.’ The song is most notable for Melba's extended long note at the end. Melba gained another hit with 1979's ‘You Stepped Into My Life,’ which was released on Epic Records and hit the top 20 on the R&B charts.

In 1981 Melba signed with Capitol Records and reached the top 5 on the charts with the dance-pop/funk single ‘Love's Comin' At Ya,’ which also hit the top 20 in the UK and became a sizable hit in some European countries and followed by ‘Mind Up Tonight,’ which was another top 40 hit in the UK. A string of hits followed, including 1983's ‘Keepin' My Lover Satisfied’ and ‘Love Me Right,’ 1984's ‘Livin' For Your Love,’ 1985's ‘Read My Lips’ which later got Melba a fourth Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, making her just the third black artist after Donna Summer and Michael Jackson to be nominated in the rock category. In 1986, she scored two number 1 R&B hits, including the duet ‘A Little Bit More’ with Freddie Jackson and ‘Falling.’ She scored other popular hits including ‘Love the One I'm With (A Lot of Love)’ and ‘It's Been So Long.’

After 15 years of marriage, in 1991, Charles Huggins abruptly filed for divorce from Melba leaving the singer in emotional and financial ruins.

In 1996 she started her long-running one-woman show, ‘I'm Still Standing.’ Melba was featured in the film, The Fighting Temptations, which starred Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles. In 2009 Melba told her life story on TV-One's ‘Unsung’ and later that year released her first R&B album in nearly 20 years, a duet with Phil Perry called ‘The Gift of Love.’

Melba was inducted into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame on October 4, 2015, in Detroit. She received the prestigious 2015 Sandy Hosey Lifetime Achievement Award during the Artists Music Guild's 2015 AMG Heritage Awards broadcast held on November 14, 2015, in North Carolina.

AM: Melba, I have been in love with you since the very early seventies. You must have many fans like me. How does that make you feel?

MM: I do have many fans like that and after all these years I think I’m supposed to be in this business.

AM: Yes you are!

MM: You go through all kinds of events and challenges. You have one project after the other. You just keep trying and trying to stay relevant. After a certain amount of time I realized I am in this industry and I am supposed to be here. People want me here. It’s a different and better feeling.

AM: You’ve come full circle in your life. By this point you are a very wise woman.

MM: Life is it! I’m wise because I know there is a God. I’m not searching for that. I understand how God relates to me now and how much he loves everybody so I am a part of that. That’s really the way I describe my relationship with God. He tells me what I’m supposed to do in the world. That is the wisdom and a certain confidence that you have when you don’t know what you’re doing but you know he does. So you keep looking for that and you notice a pattern of success that follows.

AM: Melba you’ve worked with everyone through the years. People don’t know you had Luther Vandross as your back up singer. Did you see that he had a star quality when you worked together?

MM: Absolutely! He stands out on my record singing background! He knew it too. He had certain tendencies in business as well as his talent. He also had the drive to go forward.

AM: With so many years of making records, I’m wondering if you have a favorite period of your recordings?

MM: Yes, most of my favorites are songs that I co-wrote. I enjoyed doing it and I was really surprised to find out I could write music.

AM: Are you writing now?

MM: No, I haven’t had time to do it these days. The people who write really well spend a lot of time at it. It takes a lot of time and I’d rather spend time doing thigs that I need to get finished while I have strength and good health. The good thing is some of my music is still very, very popular, especially in the UK. I do get a chance to hear it and say to myself, maybe one day I will write again. It gives me hope.

AM: Are you surprised at your longevity?

MM: I am surprised that my music has lasted this long. I’ve been struggling my whole life to be as good as the next artist. I know how that sounds but I think it’s the human condition. Oh Wow! The people like my music! Good! I was considered for a Grammy award! The rejection syndrome has worked so well. (Laughter) I was going to keep trying anyway.

AM: Did you recognize Van McCoy’s song 'Lean On Me’ would be a defining career song for you?

MM: Perhaps I did. I can’t say for certain that I did because I’m not sure I know what that is. All I know is I heard it and I said I have to sing it! I love Aretha Franklin and anybody who sings that song. Everybody loved me singing it the way I loved it. I wasn’t really surprised but that was the first time that ever happened. That’s why if you’re smart you will believe in God because he’s the only one who knows what can happen for you.

AM: You have developed a particular technique where you can hold these extra-long high notes seemingly forever. Is there a secret to that?

MM: Yes, I’ve always had a small voice.

AM: Well you’re a small person.

MM: Yes I’m a small person and I know how to project my voice now. It’s easy for someone like me to be overlooked or not even heard. You keep finding ways to touch people and remind them that you are there. Mine was stamina in an effort to get a bigger voice. I kept practicing at singing gospel because that makes you sing big and loud so you get stronger. One day the note just popped out stronger than it had ever been before. I kept doing it to see if it was really me because it sounded like it was coming from across the room. Then I realized I have to have a technique.

AM: It is unique to you.

MM: Yes, anybody can do it but I felt I had to do it. I felt like I had to do it because I couldn’t be heard. I was at the right stage where I was still developing my style. It was the time to do that.

AM: Your new album, ‘Forever Moore’ is phenomenal! I got it instantly. I love every song. I knew it would be great when I heard your first single ‘Let’s Dance’ and it was so good. It’s so now!

MM: I’ve been singing gospel the last few years so this was my first album in a long time.

AM: These are just the most beautiful songs.

MM: God sent them to me. He said be a good girl. Take care of your daughter and your ex-husband so he sent me some hit music.

AM: Are you taking care of your ex-husband?

MM: I’m trying to.

AM: After everything you’ve been through?

MM: Well, that’s when you’re supposed to do it. That’s when it counts to God.

AM: That is amazing Melba. Is there anything else you really need to do?

MM: Yes, just stay on track and find out what’s coming next. Things are changing so fast and drastically and in some cases they are changing very badly. We all have to figure out how to stay safe.

AM: We sure do!

MM: It would be nice if I was a preacher but I’m not. That’s not what I’m supposed to do. I’ve got to continue to figure out what I’m supposed to do. That continues to change, but one thing that I do know is we are supposed to take care of each other.

AM: I agree with that whole heartedly.

MM: God created families. You can divorce if you want to and go get somebody else, but he created a family and that’s what I honor. A lot of the things that my ex-husband did to me and our family and to other people were very hurtful. He’s paying for that right now in a really bad way but my hope is that it’s the time for him to learn the lessons. He can’t do what he wants to do anymore so maybe he will turn it around. He really does love his daughter so that means we’re a family. It means we have a chance and I honor that because now I’m the head of the family! (Laughter)

To learn more about Melba Moore visit her web site http://www.melbamoore.com/

Photo: Jessica Lin

1923 was a standout year for many reasons. ‘TIME’ magazine was launched on March 3. ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ starring Lon Chaney was released. Cecil B. DeMille directed his first version of ‘The Ten Commandments.’ Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president following the death of President Warren Harding. The first home game played at the original Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox occurred. The world’s first portable radio was developed in the US and the Explosion of recordings of African American musicians began including the great Louis Armstrong. It’s a great year to celebrate musically so Jazz Singer Julian Yeo has dedicated an entire album to the music of this period with his latest release titled ‘1923.’

As it says on Julian’s web site, “He sings simply, improvises with subtlety, and always swings while doing justice to the lyrics. Julian Yeo thinks of himself as a retro-jazz vocalist with a “new-old” approach. He sounds like he could have comfortably fit into the 1930s pop/jazz scene, singing with equal skill in a swing or a sweet orchestra, inspired by the relaxed and lightly swinging phrasing of Bing Crosby. Julian Yeo blends old school soul with celebrated qualities of today (and sometimes with a twist).”

Julian has picked a consistently solid assortment of sixteen songs that were all written before 1923 and remain popular to this day. Julian Yeo is a natural singer expressing both deep melancholia and upbeat joy. He creates a jazz-hipster atmosphere on this album that’s difficult to resist. He is a classic crooner, relaxed, laid-back, and easy-going. Crooners typically had soft voices that were well suited to the intimacy of the material and the night clubs they performed in, however Julian’s voice is dramatically powerful as well.

The album opens with ‘You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)’ from 1913 and made popular by Al Jolson and Judy Garland. The style and mood of this opening cut sets the tone for the whole album. You already know you are in for a good time.

Next up is ‘Hello! Ma Baby,’ a Tin Pan Alley song written in 1899. Its chorus is far better known than its verse, as the introductory song in the famous Warner Bros. Cartoon ‘One Froggy Evening’ from 1955, sung by the character Michigan J. Frog while high-stepping in the style of a cakewalk. Julian slows down the tempo and uses his nimblest and most elegant singing style to make this cut his own. Julian has raised the bar with this recording. You can forget the frog’s version.

‘Play a Simple Melody’ a song from the 1914 musical, ‘Watch Your Step,’ with words and music by Irving Berlin follows. Julian duets with himself and the results are remarkable. His breezy and sophisticated vocal style floats over the top of the melody with beautiful harmony. ‘Poor Butterfly’ is one of my favorite songs and Julian lovingly caresses the lyrics of this song first published in 1916.

‘Some of These Days’ published in 1910, and associated with the biggest star at the time, Miss Sophie Tucker is next. The top-drawer songs continue with ‘Baby Face’ made popular by Al Jolson. The addition of the vibraphone brings an ecstatic and effervescent quality. ‘Moonlight Bay’ was published in 1912. It is often sung in a barbershop quartet style. Julian takes this cut and makes it very stylish with his exquisite delivery.

This album is filled with incredible musicianship. Particularly memorable are ‘Ain't We Got Fun’ a popular foxtrot published in 1921 and symbolic of the Roaring Twenties and ‘Pack Up Your Sins and Go To The Devil’ written by Irving Berlin 1922. Julian sings these cuts with spectacular panache.

‘Paper Doll’ was written in 1915. The song has been named one of the Songs of the Century and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Julian’s version actually has a playful sexiness to it. He is able to do the same thing with the chestnut ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket,’ a nursery rhyme first recorded in America in the late nineteenth century and later became a very successful and highly regarded 1938 recording by Ella Fitzgerald. I found myself asking, “Ella who?” Remarkable, as I adore everything Ella!

The album closes with ‘Baby Won't You Please Come Home,’ a blues song from 1919. The first hit version was Bessie Smith's 1923 recording. Julian has made a resplendent recording with his tribute to the music of the Twenties. The natural ease of his singing remains instantly recognizable. Joining Julian on ‘1923’ is his stride pianist and long-term collaborator, Jesse Gelber; Tom Beckham on Vibraphone; and Kevin Dorn on drums and Andrew Hall on bass. They are all top tier musicians.

Julian Yeo has been recording for ten years. ‘1923’ is his eighth release. You should also check out his earlier recordings. They are all well produced. You can hear the growth of a musical artist and his defining style.

To learn more about Julian visit his web site http://www.julianyeo.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Madleen Kane was born in Malmo, Sweden. Because of her striking beauty, at the age of 14 she became a model in Europe. At 15 she won the biggest Beauty Pageant in Sweden, The Dream Girl. She took off as an international model, modeling for agencies in New York, Japan and Paris.

Madleen was discovered by J.C. Friederich, owner of Boona Music productions. She became a popular singer working in 1978 with her album ‘Rough Diamond,’ which became popular not only in the U.S., but across the globe. In the span of a few months she rose to the top of the disco music charts in Europe selling millions of copies. After she released ‘Cheri' in 1979, her singing career took off. Madleen's debut album ‘Rough Diamond’ was originally released in France by CBS and soon after by Warner Bros. in North America. It became a hit on the Billboard Dance Chart. For this album, she recorded a disco version of ‘C'est Si Bon.’ Paris-based production team Michaele, Lana & Paul Sébastian produced the album.

‘Cheri’ was Madleen's 2nd CBS Disques S.A. / Warner Bros. release, which featured ‘Forbidden Love,’ a dramatic "pop-opus" arranged by Thor Baldursson. The A-side suite of ‘Forbidden Love’, the title track, its breakdown ‘Fire In My Heart’ and ‘Secret Love Affair’ gave her another club hit, which ran for over 15 minutes. Jim Burgess remixed it for a single, which was edited to just over eight minutes. The ballad ‘You and I,’ has become a wedding day favorite in Canada.

She promoted her albums around the globe through several television appearances. While performing in Italy she was presented by Julio Iglesias in a Roman arena with over 40,000 spectators. She became the queen of disco, and along with Donna Summer, toured Japan to promote her second album entitled ‘Cheri.’ She went to the US to promote her album in ten different states performing at the famous Studio 54 in New York among many other venues. She did the ‘Marvin Griffin Show,’ ‘Good Morning America,’ ‘Solid Gold’, ‘Dance Fever’ and many newspaper, magazine and radio interviews.

At the beginning of the 1980s, Madleen moved to Chalet Records, part of Prelude Records, and released her third album, ‘Sounds Of Love.’ It featured ‘Cherchez Pas,’ which was more "electronic" as opposed to her usual symphonic disco songs, and peak #18 in Sweden. Madleen later worked with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Nevertheless, Giorgio Moroder appeared with his mixes in 1981 with ‘Don't Wanna Lose You’ and helped her album sales in clubs. ‘You Can,’ the Flashdance-esque lead single from those sessions spent three weeks on top of the Billboard Dance charts. The album ‘Don't Wanna Lose You’ followed. This was again released on Chalet Records, which was owned by her then-husband Jean-Claude Friederich and distributed by dance promoter Tom Hayden and his TSR Record Company, which was to be Madleen's next record label. Other big hits: ‘Playing For Time,’ ‘You Can,’ ‘Fire in My Heart.’

London's Ian Anthony Stephens and Megatone recording artist Paul Parker teamed up to provide Madleen with ‘I'm No Angel,’ a Billboard Dance Hit from her 1985 album, ‘Cover Girl.’ Madleen, tired of recording, faded away after this album.

A collection of her hits, ‘12 Inches And More’ is her latest release. In January 2010, Madleen's first two albums were reissued on the MP3 via Amazon.com.

Madleen speaks four languages fluently. From a young age she was an artist, she painted and wrote romantic short stories. Clothes are her passion, designing her own dresses and blouses. She was the most photographed woman in the world during the 1970s and 80s with many photos including her own clothing designs. She has been on the cover of all major magazines in Europe and on the cover of Playboy magazine twice. Even Carlo Ponti offered her a leading role in a film at the time, but she was too busy recording and promoting her music. She is well known all over Europe, Japan, the Middle East and Russia. She now resides in Santa Monica, California.

AM: Madleen, you are an international star who left the limelight in 1985 and now you have returned. Is this correct and what are your goals this time around?

MK: Yes, I want to give back to my fans for all those years they have been asking about me. Now finally I can do it.

AM: Does it surprise you that people are so eager to see you again?

MK: Yes, I’m very amazed!

AM: You seem so humble.

MK: Yes, I am a very humble person. I always treat people with respect. I understand people.

AM: You seem like a deeper kind of person.

MK: I’m not shallow at all.

AM: I bet that surprises people who think you will be shallow.

MK: Especially when I was in my twenties. I’ve never been shallow. I’ve always had a very good connection with journalists and reporters. I have always believed that they are there to help you and you should help them. You are working together. I’ve never been late for an appointment.

AM: I love that.

MK: I respect people too much. Why would I want to arrive two hours late and not be ready? I’m extremely professional.

AM: That takes you further than anything I believe. Are you looking for new songs to record?

MK: Yes, I have some people working for me and we are looking.

AM: Have you found anything that you are in love with yet?

MK: Not that I’m totally crazy about yet. Right now I like ballads. I like love songs. I’m very romantic.

AM: I think you will find new success with love songs and ballads even though people love your dance music.

MK: I will always do dance music too.

AM: That’s what I love about all your albums. After the dance music there was always at least one hauntingly beautiful love song.

MK: I was always collaborating with the writers from the very beginning.

AM: Did you stay in the studio while the songs were being mixed?

MK: Oh yes, it’s so important to mix the instruments with the voice and put it all together.

AM: Your producers didn’t mind you in the studio with opinions?

MK: No, my father was a tenor who sang opera in Sweden so there was always music in our home.

AM: I heard your father was a singer.

MK: Yes, he was an actor also in theater.

AM: So you grew up in that artistic atmosphere.

MK: I’ve been in the music world since I was six years old.

AM: Do you have any siblings?

MK: Yes I have two younger sisters.

AM: So you are the first born!

MK: My daddy is so proud of me. I’m the only one who understands the business. I’m the one who followed in his footsteps. My mother was a model. She was a beautiful woman who left this earth way too soon.

AM: I’m sorry. When did you lose her?

MK: We lost her ten years ago and she was only 66 years old.

AM: How do you deal with this loss?

MK: It’s still hard today. I skype with my sister once a week and we backtrack and remember our childhood. We talk about our Mom and the things we were doing.

AM: I know your three children are grown now but were you a hands on Mom when they lived at home?

MK: Yes I was always there to take them to soccer practice or tennis or golf.

AM: That’s the reason you stopped performing and recording isn’t it?

MK: Yes, one of the reasons. I wanted to give my full attention to them and be able to raise my children. I wanted a real family. I didn’t want to be on the road all the time. I wasn’t brought up like that.

AM: I know you have an autobiography in the works. When did you start writing it?

MK: I started writing it two years ago. This was always on my mind.

AM: Did you find writing about your life therapeutic?

MK: Yes I did. Very much so. You will see why when you get to read it. This book will also be very helpful to others. This book is very compelling and a real page turner. It’s not boring at all.

AM: How have you handled all the male attention you have received over the years?

MK: I was always graceful about it. I would just say I’m sorry but I’m not interested. (laughter)

AM: Did it get boring for you after a while?

MK: Yes it does get boring.

AM: Were you able to spot them right away?

MK: Yes, I’ve always been good at reading peoples’ intentions.

AM: The book is finished and ready for publication isn’t it?

MK: Yes, we only have a few things that need adjusting.

AM: Is there anything else you want to do now?

MK: I really got a taste to perform when I was recently in Miami. Even though I hadn’t been on stage for many years, it felt like it had been yesterday. This is how it felt inside me. It didn’t feel like I had been gone for such a long time. Right away I knew this is where I belong.

To learn more about Madleen Kane visit her web site http://www.madleenkane.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Rolonda Watts is an Emmy and Cable Ace award–nominated journalist, television and radio talk show host, executive producer, actor, comedienne, voice artist, speaker, humanitarian, and author. She can currently be seen on Dr. Drew on HLN. She can also be heard as Professor Wiseman on "Curious George," as the announcer for "Divorce Court," and as warrior priestess Illoai in the latest League of Legends video game. In 2016 she will have a recurring role on the Bounce TV series "In the Cut." She holds degrees from Spelman College, where she was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and graduated Magna Cum Laude, a master's degree from Columbia University, and an honorary doctorate from Winston-Salem State University. Rolonda lives in Los Angeles, California. 'Destiny Lingers' is her first novel.

After graduating from Columbia, Rolonda returned to North Carolina and began her career as a general assignment reporter at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina. She later worked at WNBC, where she was nominated for an Emmy, and WABC-TV in New York as an anchor of a weekly political forum and reporter. In 1987, she began working as a host of ‘Attitudes,’ a talk show on Lifetime Television. The next year, she took a job on the news magazine ‘Inside Edition’ as a senior correspondent, weekend anchor and producer. King World Productions, the syndicator of Inside Edition and also The Oprah Winfrey Show, then asked her to start her own talk show. 'Rolonda' aired for nearly four seasons.

After leaving her talk show behind, Rolonda headed to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. Her first break was in 1997 when she was cast as Vivica Shaw in ‘Sister, Sister,’ a role she played for six episodes. Since then Rolonda has had guest starring roles in dozens of television shows, including ‘The West Wing,’ ‘JAG,’ ‘The District,’ ‘Yes, Dear,’ and soap operas ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful.’ In 2002, Soap Opera Digest named her "Scene Stealer of the Week" for her role as the cut-throat Attorney Cameron Reese on ‘Days of our Lives.’

Rolonda is also the CEO/president of her own production company, Watts Works Productions, which co-produced her talk show ‘Rolonda.’ In 2005, she hosted Lie Detector, a reality series for PAX-TV. That same year, she took over as announcer on Judge Joe Brown. She also appeared on ‘Live With Regis and Kelly’ where she traveled cross-country as a judge for the show's ‘Great American Co-Host Search.’

In commercials, Rolonda is the voice of Boeing, Wells Fargo Bank, Tropicana, Southwest Airlines, Big Lots, Children's Hospital, Wendy's, Aleve, and Alka Seltzer - and more.

New York City and Newark, NJ each established an official "Rolonda Day" for her journalistic, community, and humanitarian works. She has served on the Board of Directors for Literacy Volunteers of New York City, the Board of Advisors for the Rahway State Prison's Lifers Group, the Board of Advisors for New York University School of Dentistry, and the Board of Advisors for the United Negro College Fund. She has volunteered as a tutor for H.E.L.P. - the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project. She is a member of Women in Film, AFTRA, and SAG. The Spelman College Alumna Association awarded Ro for her community service. And the McDonald's Corporation honored her as a "Broadcast Legend".

AM: Rolonda, how is it that you can do and have done so many different things in your life?

RW: You know Alan I’m glad you asked that because I often ask myself the same question. I do believe that my partner is God. I don’t know any other way I could do all the things I’ve done without the help of Angels and God. It’s all about my faith. I really believe that. I also believe that when God gives you gifts he gives you the batteries to go with them.

AM: That’s a great way to look at life.

RW: I’ve always felt like a big toy chest full of lots of gifts. I believe my gift back to God is to use them for good. It looks like I do 50 million things but really I do one thing and that is I’m a storyteller, whether it’s ‘Inside Edition’ or ‘Eyewitness News’ or a talk show. Even voice over work and acting is storytelling or executive producing movies and now my novel. It’s all storytelling.

AM: How did you start writing the book?

RW: Actually the book has been in me since 1996. I survived Hurricane Bertha in North Carolina on Topsail Island where I grew up in the Summertime. My grandparents founded the first Black Beachfront community in North Carolina in 1949.

AM: Awesome.

RW: We hadn’t had a hurricane since 1954. I was told to evacuate the island but I wanted to stay and cover it for ‘Inside Edition.’ That was dumb. If someone tells you to evacuate the island, do it!

AM: Uh oh.

RW: By the time the ‘Inside Edition’ crew arrived it was too dangerous to let them on and too dangerous to let me off. I had to ride out the storm. I had to eat at the Red Cross for three days. The police chief had to pick me up and take me to the food and water. We would be talking about the island and all the things we love about it and then we asked each other why we didn’t know each other. We realized it was because of segregation. We couldn’t have known each other.

AM: That is deep.

RW: I always thought about that and the phrase, “Time moves on but destiny lingers.” What would happen to two lovers who could not be together because the laws and attitudes kept them apart? What if there was an opportunity to go back and get a second chance at your first love? It’s really what’s happening today with race relations and the gay community. I’ve had many lesbians tell me this is their story.

AM: I can understand that.

RW: I also wanted to capture a certain time. I remember the Jim Crow era. A lot of the issues I talk about in the book are real stories from my life. I couldn’t always go places with my class because I was black.

AM: That is so harsh and unreal.

RW: I want to remind younger generations of that time. It hasn’t always been this easy to love anybody you want. I also wanted to deal with issues like racism and classism. It’s a call to action for the younger generation, “What will you do to stop all the thread of ‘isms’ in your own family? When will you put your foot down and say no more. When will love conquer all?”

AM: When did you finish writing the book?

RW: Oh let’s see…a little over two years ago.

AM: I wondered because you have the endorsement from the glorious Miss Maya Angelou.

RW: Yes she read the book about a year and a half before she passed. She had been reading it and she was very supportive. I hadn’t finished it yet. I was just piddling about. She told me not to die with this story still inside me.

AM: Wow! I bet that statement had impact.

RW: That hit me so hard. She loved the book and you can see what she said on the book cover, “Let the story continue.” I do want it to have a sequel. Praise God, she gave me one of her last endorsements.

AM: Did you just feel uplifted after her approval?

RW: It was a major endorsement. I felt like she was passing the baton. She had been my Auntie and I knew her for 35 years. She always helped me through everything, but a book! I was treading in some highly professional territory.

AM: If Maya Angelou says the book is good you know it’s good!

RW: I knew in my heart and soul the story was good. I worked on it for so long. It was a hobby for 10 years. I played with it and work shopped it. I met with a writers group. I passed it along to people that I really respected.

AM: And writing was something that you always wanted to do?

RW: I always wanted to be a writer or an author. When I was much younger I asked Auntie Maya how to become a writer and she told me, “You take a noun and you take a verb and ball it all up and smack it against the wall and make it sing.” I thought, Wow! I always wanted to follow in her footsteps. Her endorsement is one of the greatest achievements in my life. The book in general is one of the greatest achievements as well.

AM: So will we see ‘Destiny Lingers’ made into a movie?

RW: Yes, definitely. I like to challenge myself. I don’t believe in mediocracy or getting comfortable. That’s why I keep moving. You cannot get comfortable. So I wrote a novel so now I think, “Write the screenplay.”

AM: That would make complete sense with you.

RW: It’s very rare for a journalist to turn into a novelist and very rare that a novelist turns into a screenplay writer. I’m going to do it. I would love to see it as a movie and then spin off into a television series. You have an interracial couple, a cop and a journalist. Anything could happen.

AM: Talk about timely. You wouldn’t have had any idea when you started writing this book that it would be so relevant in the moment.

RW: Alan, that’s why I said at the very beginning of our conversation that I don’t do this alone. I’ve waited so long for this book to be on a Barnes & Noble shelf and it could not have come out at a better time. All those times I cried to myself, would this book ever happen. One year I even told myself to just forget about it, but Destiny kept calling me. These characters wanted to live. I had no choice.

AM: No you didn’t!

RW: Then when Dr. Maya Angelou is breathing down your neck, (Laughter) “Make sure you contribute to the literary world!” Well you contribute to the literary world and it’s got to be good. She taught me the book has got to be about bettering humanity.

AM: What is one of the best parts about promoting the book for you?

RW: It’s giving me a chance to talk with people about race and race relations. I’m finding people to be very open with their own personal stories. People stay calm because we are talking about this story but really we are talking about their own lives.

AM: You grew up in a white world didn’t you?

RW: I was the only black in an all-girl high school. I remember going to a debutant party at the Country Club and I couldn’t go because I was black. Five of my girlfriends stood up to their parents and said we’re not going to go if Rolonda can’t go. That’s wrong. They opened up the Country Club to me.

AM: This is in the Seventies!?!

RW: Honey, that was 1974.

AM: That’s insane.

RW: Insane! I watched 16-year-old girls stand up to their parents and the status quo and say it’s not right. That’s another thing Dr. Maya Angelou was all about. Stand up and lift. Use your voice. When it’s wrong, say it’s wrong. She was so upset over Trayvon Martin , but she was encouraged that people were speaking out. It wasn’t covered up like it used to be. Back then there wasn’t a consciousness like that. You didn’t have all the cameras. I think even for as horrible as things can be, we are moving toward a better place.

AM: Yes, I agree. I am disturbed by the violence but I believe we are going in the right direction.

RW: Any movement has the sacrificial lambs. Sadly, now they are children and moms and dads. We are moving to a better place but you have to hit a wall before you change and America is hitting a lot of walls right now.

To learn more about Rolonda Watts visit her web site /http://www.rolonda.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Who else could have written a country song about the Holocaust (‘Ride 'Em Jewboy’), or about a human being kept in a cage as part of a circus (‘Wild Man from Borneo’)? Outrageous and irreverent but nearly always thought-provoking, Kinky Friedman wrote and performed satirical country songs during the 1970s and has been hailed as the Frank Zappa of country music.

The son of a University of Texas professor who raised his children on the family ranch, Rio Duckworth, he was born Richard F. Friedman. He studied psychology at Texas and founded his first band while there. After graduation, Kinky served three years in the Peace Corps; he was stationed in Borneo, where he was an agricultural extension worker. By 1971 he had founded his second band, Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys. In keeping with the group's satirical songs, each member had a deliberately politically incorrect name: they called themselves Little Jewford, Big Nig, Panama Red, Rainbow Colors, and Snakebite Jacobs.

Kinky got his break in 1973 thanks to Commander Cody, who contacted Vanguard Music on behalf of the acerbic young performer. That was the year he and his group made their debut album, ‘Sold American,’ featuring John Hartford and Tompall Glaser. Kinky Friedman did attract enough attention to be invited to the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1974, he recorded an eponymously titled album for ABC Records. Produced by Los Angeles pop helmsman Steve Barri, the album dissolved whatever pure country listenership Friedman might have had but delighted his growing core of fans with satirical pieces such as his response to anti-Semitism, "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore." Along with the satires, Friedman offered quieter sketches of American hard luck such as "Rapid City, South Dakota."

In the mid-'70s, Friedman and his band began touring with Bob Dylan & the Rolling Thunder Revue. In 1976 he made his third album, ‘Lasso from El Paso,’ featuring Dylan and Eric Clapton. The Texas Jewboys disbanded three years later, and Kinky moved to New York, where he often appeared at the Lone Star Cafe. In 1983, he released ‘Under the Double Ego’ for Sunrise Records. After that, he turned primarily toward writing, although he continued to make occasional nightclub appearances.

He has written for ‘Rolling Stone’ and ‘Texas Monthly’ magazines and, most famously, has become a writer of unique and outrageous mystery novels such as ‘Greenwich Killing Time,’ ‘A Case of Lone Star,’ and ‘The Mile-High Club.’ Equal parts whimsy and metaphysics, the books blur fiction and reality. They feature a Jewish country singer turned Greenwich Village private eye named Kinky Friedman, who sometimes returns to his native Texas; other characters are drawn from Friedman's circle of friends in both New York and Texas.

Many of Friedman's songs of the '70s and early '80s were collected on two CD compilations, ‘Old Testaments & ‘New Revelations’ and ‘From One Good American to Another.’ In 1999, the likes of Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, and Lyle Lovett covered Friedman's music on the tribute album ‘Pearls in the Snow: The Songs of Kinky Friedman,’ and a second tribute volume was planned. In 2003 Friedman appeared in a nude, cigar-smoking triplicate on the cover of the Dallas Observer magazine, in a parody of the Dixie Chicks' nude Entertainment Weekly pose of that year. Vanguard released a 30th anniversary edition of Sold American (which included a couple of bonus tracks) in 2003. A previously unreleased 1973 live studio concert called ‘Mayhem Aforethought’ appeared in June of 2005, followed by the compilation ‘They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore’ later that October. An Austin City Limits appearance from 1975 that was deemed unfit to air finally saw the light of day thanks to New West Records' 2007 release of ‘Live from Austin, TX.’

In 2015, Kinky Friedman returned with his first proper studio album since 1976's landmark ‘Lasso From El Paso.’ Released by Avenue A Records, ‘The Loneliest Man I Ever Met’ features a number of new originals, along with covers by Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Kinky’s best friend, Willie Nelson, who also guests on the album.

This is a one time only format where you can listen to Kinky Friedman talk to me instead of reading. I only ask three questions in the nine minutes. I just let Kinky go with his flow. Please forgive my laughter at times as Kinky kept me in stitches through a lot of this.

To learn more about Kinky Friedman visit his web site http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

At the age of thirteen, Stephen Bishop found himself at a crossroads. A clarinetist with hopes of becoming a History teacher, he was forever changed after watching the Beatles one night on "The Ed Sullivan Show." His brother Denny bought Stephen an electric guitar and a "Mel Bay" chord book at the store he worked in, and turned his stereo into an amp so Stephen could play music. He began to learn to play guitar and make up chords as well, writing his first song, "Surf’s Turf.." a pathetic sounding instrumental. He formed a band called, "The Weeds" and began to play at local fraternity parties incorporating his own original songs with various songs from top 40.

The Weeds won 2nd place at the Claremont Battle of the Bands, prompting one of the judges to explain that "Stephen Bishop is going to be a big songwriter someday!" Determined to fulfill that prophesy, Stephen made the trip to Los Angeles. He walked the streets with his $12 acoustic guitar, playing songs for various publishers in Hollywood... eventually landing a publishing deal at $50 a week for E.H.Morris Publishing. One of his songs was recorded only to be followed by a long wait...many years went by. At one point, Stephen considered leaving L.A. to return home and work for his Dad’s Insurance company. Through a good friend, Art Garfunkel heard some of his new songs and recorded two of them on his Gold recording, 'Breakaway.'

He started playing around town singing his songs in person for artists like, “Barbra Streisand...Bette Midler...Diana Ross." Shortly thereafter, he was signed to ABC Records who released his first album, "Careless." His two hits from that album were, ‘Save It For a Rainy Day,’ and ‘On and On.’ Eric Clapton, Art Garfunkel and Chaka Khan all contributed their talents to the album. Soon the album went gold, as well as his next album, ‘Bish.’

He sang the hit theme, ‘It Might Be You,’ from the movie, ‘Tootsie,’ as well as writing and/or singing 13 other films including, ‘Animal House,’ and ‘Separate Lives’ from ‘White Nights.’ His songs have been performed by artists such as: Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Steve Perry, Stephanie Mills, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Phoebe Snow, David Crosby, The Four Tops, Aswad and Pavarotti.

In 1989, Stephen released the album ‘Bowling in Paris’ with Phil Collins (co-producer on some songs), Eric Clapton and Sting contributing.

He appeared as the "Charming Guitar Player" in ‘Animal House,’ wherein John Belushi slammed his guitar into smithereens in the Toga Party scene. He appeared as, ‘Blue London,’ in Henry Jaglom's, ‘Someone To Love.’ Stephen Bishop also appeared in ‘The Blues Brothers,’ as a State Trooper. He has performed at the Library of Congress and at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York for an event for the U.N.

Stephen was nominated for two Grammy’s and awarded an Oscar nomination for his song, ‘Separate Lives.’ In Eric Clapton's autobiography he mentions Stephen as one of his favorite songwriters. Stephen’s newest album is titled ‘Blueprint’ and available worldwide.

AM: Stephen your new album is so good. How did you pick a producer to work with?

SB: That’s the biggest challenge. I’ve known this guy, Jon Gilutin, for many years. We worked together twenty years ago. He’s a talented guy so I thought let’s give it a go. We ended up working together but I never knew he was as talented as he is. He did a great job on the album. There’s so much to do when making a quality album.

AM: How did you put together the songs for this album?

SB: I was laying in my man cave and decided I wanted to put out another album. We started at a relaxed pace only working on it three days a week, but we ended up working hard. So anyway, I have a ton of demos from the old days so we used the demos as a ‘Blueprint’ as where to go with the song, like making it more expansive or keeping it simple. That’s where the name of the album came from.

AM: I like the title.

SB: I had another title nobody liked. I wanted to call it ‘Work, Home, TV, Bed.’ (Laughter)

AM: What is one of your favorite songs on the new album?

SB: I really like ‘Before Night Falls’ which is about mental illness. That is about a friend of mine who was suicidal.

AM: I like ‘Ultra Love.’

SB: That is a song like the old Stylistics songs.

AM: ‘She’s Not Mine’ is wonderful.

SB: That song was written right after my divorce. That’s a heavy song.

AM: You are such a fun person!

SB: I like to have fun.

AM: Yet in your song writing, you come off as a serious person.

SB: Very serious, yes. Everybody has different dimensions to their personality right?

AM: (Laughter) Maybe not everybody, but creative people do.

SB: I remember going to my high school reunion and there was a girl I hadn’t seen in twenty years. She used to flirt with me and give me the hardest time. I was kind of a dweeb in high school. Well she flirted with me at the reunion and we got biblical later. Then she was so disappointed, she said, “You know what? You’re not like your album.” (Laughter) “I thought you were your album.”

AM: That is crazy.

SB: It’s weird isn’t it? I’m not a heavy guy who goes around thinking the world is in trouble. The song ‘Blue Window’ lets out my real, true feelings.

AM: You come across as a very passionate and committed person who is intelligent.

SB: Thank you, I try.

AM: You wouldn’t be able to write like you do if you weren’t smart. I love your sarcasm too.

SB: I use tons of sarcasm. I have two sides to my writing. I have my serious side and my funny, eclectic, weird side. I’ve been putting them on albums for years. On my second album, ‘Bish’ I have a song called ‘What Love Can Do’ where I have all the guys who sound like the guards in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ I’ve been doing things like that for a long time. I like having funny and weird songs.

AM: You have a long history of working with some of the biggest superstars in the business.

SB: That makes me sound so good.

AM: You are in the best company all the time. How did you end up working with Chaka Khan on your first album ‘Careless?’

SB: I ran around with her because I was friends with her boyfriend at the time, Richard Holland. He’s still a good buddy of mine. He wound up marrying Chaka, who I just worked with again last year.

AM: Art Garfunkel played an important part in your career too didn’t he?

SB: He sang a couple of my songs on his ‘Breakaway’ album. He has recorded seven of my songs now.

AM: Everybody has recorded your songs.

SB: I have had a lot of covers from big stars but they were never a single. I was lucky with Beyonce because she sampled ‘On & On’ in her song ‘Ring Off.’ That was supposed to be a single but it was all about her parents breaking up and then her mother got remarried so the single was off.

AM: Well the list of names who have recorded your songs is long and full of the biggest stars.

SB: I am grateful but as they say, “You can’t rest on your laurels.”

AM: Your new album proves that you are not close to that. You like to re-imagine your songs like on your Brazilian album.

SB: Wow you have that album? You are a real fan. That’s one of my best albums. Nobody ever heard about it. It was for sale in Target. We worked hard and are very proud of it. It’s out there somewhere.

AM: It’s a really great album.

SB: Do you know how long I’ve been writing songs?

AM: A long time.

SB: I started writing songs when I was thirteen. By the time I was fifteen and a half I’d written 200 songs.

AM: That’s because you are a real songwriter. Does it bother you that the term is a lot looser now?

SB: I do hear songs on the radio and I wonder will anyone remember this? I am so fortunate that my songs still get airplay. I listen to everything so I can stay hip to it all.

AM: Not only do people still play your music but they have emotions attached to the songs.

SB: They do. When I do shows and meet & greets it can be really heavy. People get emotional and tell me they got married to my song.

AM: Do you like hearing these stories?

SB: It’s funny how it works. I remember seeing Donald Fagen in a restaurant and I told him how impressed I was with Steely Dan. I was in awe and he looked at me and went very nonchalantly, “Uh Thanks.” Then I think of myself when people tell me how much my music means to them and I go, ‘Thanks.” Then I feel like I should show more appreciation. It’s hard to appreciate yourself. It takes work to accept appreciation of yourself.

To learn more about Stephen Bishop visit his web site http://stephenbishop.com/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

R&B Singer/Songwriter Reagan James, thrust into the national spotlight in 2014 as a Top 10 artist on ‘NBC’s The Voice’ combines soulful melodies with contagious beats in her growing catalog of original music.

Reagan tried out for ‘The Voice’ by singing the Ed Sheeran song "Give Me Love". Two coaches - Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani- turned around for her, both wowed by her vocals and shocked that her strong voice came from someone so young. After hearing what both had to say, Reagan picked Blake Shelton as her coach. She later posted a video of her cover of his song "Neon Light" on YouTube.

Raised in Burleson, Texas, just outside Fort Worth, Reagan was a high school student who had been posting covers of herself singing songs on YouTube and even released an independent album called ‘Remedy,’ in October, 2013 which was produced by her stepfather, music producer Scot Cloud.

Her latest independent studio release ‘Have a Nice Day’ released in January, 2016 reached No. 24 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart—the first of many steps in Reagans' post-The Voice career. Establishing a new identity all her own, ‘Have a Nice Day’ is yet another striking exhibition of James’ lyrical prowess and melodic genius. A year in the making, the album is the result of hundreds of hours of musical study and an overall broadening of James’ worldview. In her own words, “The lyrics of these songs are simply a letter to everyone who hears them; enjoy, and have a nice day.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a live show with this emerging artist, and see why multi-platinum producer Pharrell Williams gleamed, “The swagger she has is amazing; it’s addictive to watch.”

AM: Reagan, how long have you been singing?

RJ: I’ve been singing since I was eight but I’ve only been singing well for about three years.

AM: You were on The Voice two years ago?

RJ: Yes I was on it in 2014.

AM: Tell me a little about the whole experience. Was it what you thought it would be?

RJ: No, I didn’t know what to expect. It took up a whole year of my life. I got the call in January and I was on the show until December. It was long and exhausting.

AM: Were you in Los Angeles the whole time?

RJ: I went back and forth. I was there a total of eighteen weeks over the course of the year.

AM: Did you find the overall experience to be valuable?

RJ: Very valuable. I had so many meetings and got to meet so many people. I got a lot of experience under my belt. I do think I as too young to be there but I also think it was good because I wouldn’t want to do it now. I’m happy that I got that out of the way as early as I did.

AM: How did you get on there in the first place?

RJ: I would have never gone and pursued the show. They came after me by finding me on the internet. The casting director called my mom and said she wanted to give me a private audition. So, I went to Houston for that.

AM: OK that makes sense because you don’t seem like an artist who would go on the Voice.

RJ: No, I wasn’t. I never was, even when I was on it.

AM: Did you feel a bit like an outsider?

RJ: Yes, but not in a bad way. I’ve always been kind of an outsider no matter where I go.

AM: I like seeing you on these local television shows.

RJ: I do a lot of those.

AM: I saw one where the host asked you about Kelly Clarkson since you are both from Burleson.

RJ: I get asked that all the time.

AM: How have you adapted to having fans?

RJ: Easily I guess. I don’t see myself as above anybody. They are just people who like my music and it’s an honor for me. I don’t see myself on a pedestal or anything like that.

AM: Did you expect that the public would enjoy your music?

RJ: Yes.

AM: That’s because it’s so good.

RJ: It is good. I don’t make music that I think isn’t good.

AM: Reagan I have listened to your album, ‘Have A Nice Day’ over and over again. I have introduced your music to many people who are of every age and they all love it.

RJ: It appeals to a lot of different types of people. It’s a great album. I’m going in a different direction now.

AM: What style of music is ‘Have A Nice Day?’

RJ: It’s a pop R&B album.

AM: What direction do you want your music to take?

RJ: I want to go more aspects of gospel and a more mature sound. There are a lot of pop music in this album. I want to overall vibe of my next project to be a little different.

AM: I think they should all be different while you find your style.

RJ: Sure, I’m still exploring what style of music I want.

AM: Are you recording right now?

RJ: Yes, I have been recording at Wavelight Studios in Fort Worth.

AM: Are you working with the same team as you did with ‘Have A Nice Day?’

RJ: Yes I am. I’m working with Jeff Rockwell, who has been my producer for four years and my guitar player, Aaron Anthony who has been with me for about a year and a half. I’ve always made music with him.

AM: Do you constantly write music?

RJ: Yes!

AM: Do you consider yourself more a writer or a singer?

RJ: That’s tough because at one time I did consider myself a writer more, but at some point, I did consider myself a singer first. I think they are about equal.

AM: What is your ultimate career goal?

RJ: My overall goal would be to be the best influence I can be and do for other people what my inspirations have done for me, which is give me hope and the joy that music gives me and a reason to live. That’s what I have gotten from music and I hope I can give that to other people.

AM: I know Amy Winehouse is a big influence but who are some other artists you have looked up to?

RJ: Ray Charles is a big influence. I love Sinatra. I listen to a lot of older music. I love Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson.

AM: Do you have any advice for young people that want to follow in your footsteps?

RJ: Don’t be reckless. Have a head on your shoulders. Don’t be pushed around, but also listen to people. Don’t think you know everything. Take the advice you are given.

AM: You are smart!

RJ: I try! (laughter)

To learn more about Reagan James visit her web site http://www.reaganjames.net/

All Photos: Alan Mercer

Rumer, is a Pakistani-born British singer–songwriter. Her stage name was inspired by the author Rumer Godden. Rumer's voice has been described by The Guardian and many others as being reminiscent of Karen Carpenter. Supported by leading music industry figures including Burt Bacharach, Jools Holland and Elton John, Rumer was nominated for two Brit awards on 13 January 2011. She has performed at several festivals such as Glastonbury Festival. Her new album, 'This Girl's In Love: a Bacharach and David Songbook' s now available.

Rumer, the seventh of eight children, was born in Tarbela Dam, Pakistan. Rumer's family lived there from 1977–1984 while her British father was contracted as Chief Engineer of Tarbela Dam Project, funded by the World Bank.

Her parents split and her Streatham-born mother moved back to England with Rumer and her siblings. Rumer became fascinated with the work of Judy Garland at a young age, and sought solace from difficulties at home and school by listening to artists such as Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. She was encouraged by her musical family, who all played instruments and played in their local Catholic church. This began her interest in becoming a performer.

Rumer later discovered her biological father was the family’s Pakistani cook, with whom her mother had had an affair when living in Pakistan. While her mother was dying of breast cancer in 2001, she asked Rumer to make the journey to the North West Frontier of Pakistan to search for her real father, with her mother reportedly saying "I want to leave this planet with my house in order". She discovered on arriving he had only recently died in a freak accident.

Rumer briefly attended the drama course at the Dartington College of Arts, in Devon before dropping out, moving to London at 18 and getting a job as a waitress.

Rumer's debut album, ‘Seasons of My Soul’ was released in November 2010, produced by her mentor, British composer Steve Brown. Her debut single, ‘Slow,’ was featured on Smooth FM, and the single "Aretha" on BBC Radio 2's Record of the Week feature, and she is signed to Atlantic Records. She supported Jools Holland on his UK tour in the Autumn of 2010 which included a performance at the Albert Hall in London.

After Burt Bacharach invited Rumer to his California home to hear her sing, Atlantic Records released Rumer Sings Bacharach at Christmas on 13 December 2010. It featured ‘Some Lovers’ from the musical Gift of the Magic by Bacharach and Steven Sater. A limited edition 7-inch vinyl version was also released with a cover personally designed by Rumer.

Rumer also contributed to a memorial concert to film composer, John Barry, which took place on 20 June 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall in London where the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Dame Shirley Bassey, David Arnold, Wynne Evans, trumpeter Derek Watkins and others performed Barry's music. In January 2012 she started her first American tour in Los Angeles.

Rumer's second album ‘Boys Don't Cry’ was released in May 2012. It contains a selection of songs by male artists and writers from the 70s and 80s period. Covers of songs by artists such as Todd Rundgren, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Neil Young and Terry Reid were chosen to mirror the solace and anguish Rumer experienced since achieving success and fame (BBC Music review).

Rumer released her second album of all original material, and her third total studio album, ‘Into Colour’ on 10 November 2014 in the UK, Ireland and Japan. The record was then released worldwide in early 2015 by Atlantic Records.

In 2015, Rumer released a collection of unreleased tracks and B-sides from her back catalog entitled, ‘B Sides & Rarities.’ The collection features collaborations with the likes of Dionne Warwick, Stephen Bishop and Michael Feinstein.

Rumer's fourth album, released under the East West Records label, features her take on select tracks from the songbook of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was released on 25 November 2016. Rumer remarked about how this album "was one she couldn't have made five years ago" and that how she felt that she had the right "emotional palette" to draw on the songs she recorded. It was produced by her husband and producer Rob Shirakbari at Capitol Studios in early 2016.

AM: Can you give me a little bit of background Rumer?

Rumer: I come from a family of musical people. All my brothers and sisters play guitar or some instrument. It seemed like a normal thing to compose music as well. My brother Chris wrote poetry. He really inspired me when I was five years old. I used to sit there with a tape recorder and record him and play it back later. (Laughter)

AM: That is so sweet. Were you singing as a child?

Rumer: Yes, I was obsessed with Judy Garland. I related to her because she had brown hair and brown eyes. The first movie I saw with her was ‘Easter Parade’ where her character doesn’t know her left from her right and she’s kind of clumsy and not the most beautiful girl. I just related to her character.

AM: So you would sing Judy Garland songs?

Rumer: Yes, they were the first songs I was learning, so inadvertently I was learning the great American Songbook from Judy Garland films.

AM: When did you realize you were going to be a singer for your life career?

Rumer: I think when I realized, I was not going to college. I couldn’t think of anything else I could do. I had an instinct that it would be worth the shot. I guess I was eighteen.

AM: Did you receive a lot of encouragement?

Rumer: I don’t really remember being encouraged. I was quite shy and didn’t really show off. I don’t remember people ever telling me, “Wow you have an amazing voice.”

AM: Really!?!

Rumer: I don’t think I was confident. It took me years to build that confidence to perform in public.

AM: When did you start performing in public?

Rumer: When I was sixteen or seventeen. I come from a very small tourist town in the south of England. It’s a retirement area, but also a holiday area, much like Florida. They always had a lot of live music in the bars and pubs during the summer. A lot of local bands would play. It used to thrive but not so much now. Back then, any time of day you would go into a Pub, there was a live band. So, one day I walked in a Pub and they told me I could get on stage and sing a song, so that’s what I did.

AM: How do you go from performing in small Pubs in the South of England to an international recording contract?

Rumer: It was quite a long journey. I moved to London when I was eighteen. I got a job in a wine bar. I met some people who were musicians and I joined their band and got my first experience in a studio with them. Also, my first experience playing shows with them. Then I had to go back to my hometown because my Mom was sick. After that I came back to London and started writing songs by myself and playing on the singer/songwriter scene.

AM: That makes sense. You had a little experience by this time.

Rumer: I played open mike nights and started meeting and connecting with people. I just started understanding the business and how to get my music heard and get it out there. No one really took any notice of my music until I found a producer who was willing to make an album on his tab. I had to record the whole album with him before I could even get any interest. Once the executives heard the whole ‘Seasons of My Soul’ finished, they got it.

AM: The song that stands out on that album is ‘Aretha.’ Where did that come from?

Rumer: That song is a mixture of childhood memories. I wanted to write a song about music itself and how important it is. Music can be salvation.

AM: Music IS salvation!

Rumer: Music was definitely an escape for me as a kid. My mother had a mental illness. I was depressed as a child so my Aretha Franklin tape or my Patsy Cline tape or whoever it was I was listening to, it was comforting to me. I believe it filled the space that not having a mother created. These singers gave me the female energy I was missing.

AM: That’s beautiful.

Rumer: So, I put the whole thing together in a story. My producer at the time, Steve Brown, had never made an album before but he wrote theater music. They call him the British Stephen Sondheim. He’s very clever. He understood it theatrically when I brought it in. He added some good guitar chords. We put the whole thing together.

AM: What are some of the musical differences in your albums?

Rumer: ‘Seasons of My Soul’ is a lifetime’s work. It’s a culmination of my entire Twenties. With your first record, you have the privilege of playing them live before anybody knows them or cares who you are. It’s easier to try them out in front of an audience. This album is my deepest work. I’m never going to lose my mother again. That was deep. I’m never going to be as emotionally unstable as I was in my Twenties.

AM: That is so true. I never thought of it from that perspective.

Rumer: ‘Into Colour’ is more collaborative. So, I collaborated with various songwriters and I really enjoyed the experience. It’s not as deep because I didn’t have as much time.

AM: Success came fast and was difficult for you, wasn’t it?

Rumer: I wasn’t ready or prepared or groomed for success. It came out of the blue and I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know what live TV was or playing in front of five thousand people was like. I was doing everything for the first time. I got a lot of stage fright anxiety. I had to come to America to get away in 2013. I had to re-group and get my creative energy back. That’s when I wrote ‘Into Colour.’

AM: How did the Bacharach & David tribute album come about?

Rumer: This project was offered to me by a record company in England so I said, “Sure.” We did it and I think we did a really nice job. It was hard at first because it’s quite a big thing to do. There’s a huge catalog of iconic, legendary songs. The project was daunting but we just went back and listened to the music and listened to what Hal David was saying with his lyrics. We listened to Burt and what he was saying. We wanted to put across a sense of what they were trying to convey.

To learn more about Rumer visit her web site http://rumer.co.uk/

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