Interview with Honky Tonk Angels

December 8, 2010

1. What motivates you to write?
As a singer/songwriter, there's nothing better than writing a song that fits my voice, that is a true expression of the musical style that speaks to me and that reflects in the lyrics my take on life! Plus, to hear it realized by the awesome City Slicker guys is magical!


2. Who is the greatest unknown influence on your music?
While I was home visiting my family about a year ago, I was talking to my successful singer/songwriter cousin, Caroline Herring, and I asked her how she got inspired to write. She replied, just pick an event or moment that really means something to you and start writing. On the drive back to NYC, I started writing and haven't stopped. I love it. If you don't know Caroline Herring, go to her website carolineherring.com and hear some of her songs. She is AWESOME!


3. What is your most closeted, secret, guilty and humiliating musical pleasure?
I really don't feel guilty about any musical obsessions that I have. I shamelessly love and indulge myself in all music from classical to root. What ever gives you joy and speaks to your soul is what's important to me.


4. What established artist made you want to write songs, and why?
Dolly Parton is my singer/songwriter Queen! Her music and lyrics are clever, funny, sexy, richly meaningful, and constantly evolving! I would love for the City Slickers to be her opening band!


5. Advice for just-starting songwriters?
Never limit yourself and say"I could never write." JUST START. Creative inspiration comes when we stop trying too hard to be something. When I clear my mind and allow ideas to flow, it happens effortlessly!


6. Why country?
I grew-up in Mississippi and started singing in church choirs and school programs. As a teenager, I performed in an all girls acoustic folk band, "The Petticoat Minstrels" that toured around the neighboring states. I then went to college and grad school at IU and performed mostly opera and classical music. I feel like I have now come full circle back to my first love, root/country/bluegrass/gospel music. The instrumentation and acoustic sound of bluegrass along with the traditional harmony singing puts it all together for me.


7. Favorite backwoods expression?
My daddy would always say "Annie, that's mighty fine. Mighty fine!"

1. What motivates you to write?
What excites me most about writing is the ability to imagine and create a world. I love the challenge of creating a story of characters that can engage people in the span of 3-5 minutes. I am a very passionate person and I guess what motivates me is the opportunity to channel that energy into song.


2. Who is the greatest unknown influence on your music?
Honestly, my parents (my dad's gonna get all mushy when he reads this). I was brought up in such a musical household and was encouraged from day one to create. I learned how to be a storyteller by observing my mom. I have never seen anyone communicate through song the way she does. My dad is one of the most brilliant musicians I know. Give him an instrument and he'll learn how to play it. Watching him write and arrange music over the years has taught me how to construct a song and give it some "umph." Key changes, jazz chords, gospel choirs singing a rock opera - everything my dad does has an element of theatrics and I think people respond to that. I know I do. Being in a band with my parents has and continues to be the most amazing experience. I am so lucky.


3. What is your most closeted, secret, guilty and humiliating musical pleasure?
Guilty & humiliating pleasure.....hmmm....I don't know if it's a pleasure but one embarrassing thing I do is act out all of my songs in a mirror at home. I pretend it's my music video or I'm on stage and I get really into it. I like to live in the world of the song. I've done this since I was a little girl and would act out pop songs in reflective surfaces. It's very funny when caught in the moment.


4. What established artist made you want to write songs, and why?
Abigail Washburn. The songs she creates on the banjo and with her voice are so inspiring. She has created a unique sound, borrowing from different cultures. In my eyes, she elevates the banjo to a high class instrument. Her songs are simple, yet complex and her storytelling is so vivid. When I heard her first CD, I knew then and there that that's what I wanted to do - Play the banjo and perform my own songs. I'm still working on the banjo part, but I have found a home in writing music.


5. Advice for just-starting songwriters?
Don't judge a single thing that you write, no matter how silly or stupid it sounds. You never know where it might lead you. There is no "right" way to compose a song. Do what works for you. And write, write, write, all the time!


6. Why country?
Growing up in NYC, the two genres I was exposed to were Country & Musical Theatre. Country music lends itself to story telling almost more than any other genre, and I love that. Also you can have so much fun with country. You don't have to take yourself too seriously. Some of the best bad lyrics are in country songs, and they are amazing! Lastly, the country music that I like most has a feeling of history. I love the rich background of country music and all the different genres that it has crossed over.


7. Favorite backwoods expression?
"Tibbies on the Drumstick!"

1. What motivates you to write?
Being freshly in or out of love is always a motivation to write. Some of my most prolific spans have been due to love gone bad or new love highs. But I also pick up motivation on the streets of NYC. There is so much going on, and people having one sided conversations on their cell phones are an endless source...so watch out!


2. Who is the greatest unknown influence on your music?
Sheryl Crow.


3. What is your most closeted, secret, guilty and humiliating musical pleasure?
Heavy Metal.


4. What established artist made you want to write songs, and why?
James Taylor, his lyrics are amazing.


5. Advice for just-starting songwriters?



6. Why country?
Bluegrass is like Jazz, intrinsically American.


7. Favorite backwoods expression?
"I'm fixin' to...", works for everything!