Name: Glenn G

Birthplace: Westfield, MA

Currently residing: Memphis TN/Hot Springs Village AR

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I have been involved in music in some way, form, or fashion for the past 40 years or more whether it be simply playing in a local band, in church, accompanying a vocalist or recording some of my own music.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present? Talk about a difficult question.  My taste is quite eclectic, so I love a variety of styles and genres of music!  I LOVE classical music and have been influenced quite a bit by the great composers like Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Schubert, and alike although that probably isn’t too evident in my recorded music.  I grew up on Rock n’ Roll (60’s/70’s) so I have also been influenced by such favorite bands as the Beatles, the Beach Boys,, The Ventures, Booker T and the Mg’s,  the Grateful Dead, and others.  Finally I developed a real love and appreciation for Country music through the various Country Rock and Southern Rock bands of the early 70’s including but no limited to the Charlie Daniels Band (one of my favorites…have met Charlie several times…great guy!).  What else?  Wow…I love Bluegrass artists like Rhonda Vincent and Ricky Skaggs, get into some Jazz and Easy Listening and appreciate Celtic and various World Music as well.  So I guess you could say I am into a little bit of everything!!!

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Oh boy…you like tough questions, don’t you?  I love Gospel and Christian music and I am always moved deeply by the great hymns of the faith such as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and others.  I am also deeply moved by great classical works like Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s symphonies (particularly the 5th, 7th, and 9th), Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony, and a number of other great works.  Then…wow…”God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys really moves me as well.  Again..quite eclectic here!

3. How would you describe your perfect day? Actually I can think of a number of different kind of perfect days, but I think a beautiful day relaxing on the beach with the sound of the surf, the seagulls flying overhead, and breathing the fresh salty air is pretty much as close to perfect as one can get this side of heaven.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Friends tell me that appreciate my sense of humor. I often tell people it’s the only sense that I have most of the time!

5. What is your most valued material possession? Again…another really tough question.  I should say one of my musical instruments!  Probably my most valued possession however would be my home because without a home to live in you can’t do much of anything else, including music!

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was a little bit nervous meeting Charlie Daniels for the first time I guess, but I have met a number of musical artists before and since then and they are just normal people who have found success in their craft.  Most of them (that I have met anyway) are very humble and down to earth and I have enjoyed my brief interactions with them.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

If I could blink my eyes I would be on a beautiful beach or lake somewhere.  Of course, not in the middle of winter as I am writing this!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Oh yes, I would love to do more with music! Because I have had to work full-time in a non-music profession for most of my adult life and also due to some relocation and family responsibilities, I have not been able to pursue my musical interests as much as I would have liked.   I would definitely like to do more with music in the future!

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Well, considering I am not 56 years old at the time of this writing, I would like to be retired or at least close to it; not in the sense of not working at all, but in the sense of being free to pursue things like music on a full-time or at least a regular basis rather than trying to work it around my full-time job.

Name: John Rosett

Birthplace: Durham, NC

Currently residing: Missoula, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I’ve been playing guitar since I was a teenager, and have played banjo, mandolin, and steel guitar in different bands, from bluegrass to jazz, but now I play guitar and steel in a western swing/honkytonk/kitchen sink band called Cash For Junkers and also a little swing mandolin from time to time.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present? Frank Zappa, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Wills, Hank Garland, Jethro Burns, Django Reinhardt, Andy Statman, Steve Goodman, David Bromberg, Tom Morrell…

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

There are too many to list. Much of Django Reinhardt’s music is moving

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Walking my dogs, spending time with my wife, having a band rehearsal and/or gig.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Either my sense of humor or my excellent hygiene.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My 1966 Epiphone Sorrento guitar.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I have met several of my “heroes”, and they were nice, regular people, so I don’t feel very nervous about meeting anyone.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Weiser, Idaho, during Fiddle Week.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Playing more music!

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In ten years, I’ll be 66, and I hope that I’ll still be playing music with great musicians, enjoying my family, and telling bad jokes with my friends.

Oh, and I’d like to have a trust fund…

Name: Robbie Walden

Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska

Currently residing: Nashville, Tennessee

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I started off as an acoustic artist in the folk/Americana genre with some country roots. Playing anywhere they would let me play, which usually was cafés and so forth. I then created a band, which has become quite known for its lively stage presence and energy. The band style and sound is a cross between the Texas red dirt/outlaw and a rocking vintage country with a mainstream twist, and since that time have become a national touring act.  I released one acoustic album, and a full album with my band, “bartime stories” available on iTunes and so forth. I had a song from the album called  “don’t leave me” which was on the TV show Hart of Dixie, on season one episode four. We have since, recorded a bunch of new songs for our new album which will be coming out as an EP first, in the very near future. So stay tuned.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

My favorite artists and bands consist of “the band”, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Randy Rogers band, the Marshall Tucker band, and the Zack Brown band. I’m also a huge fan of Otis Redding and Ray Charles.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

This old violin by Johnny paycheck. As well as this old road and why me lord by Kris Kristofferson, and seven Spanish Angels by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

3. How would you describe your perfect day? Writing a great song and then getting to spend time with my daughter.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My loyalty and I’m very driven.

5. What is your most valued material possession? Pictures and videos from my training days with my older brother who is since passed away. Next, would be my one of a kind Tacoma guitars.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Jesus.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Lake Crescent in Washington State.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

More touring. I would like to be doing 250 to 300 shows a year if possible.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Leaving a tremendous legacy that my daughter will be proud of.

Name: David Cleaves

Birthplace: Sacramento

Currently residing: Billings

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I play music and love being on stage mainly with my mandolin but i have been known to tickle the keys or toot a horn.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Brant Losinski, Mike Dion, Bob Marley, Grateful Dead or anything related, Ben Harper, Peter Paul and Mary, Billy Joel, Tchaikovsky, Nine Inch Nails, Fugazi, Sam Bush, Ryan Montbleau, Tribe Called Quest, Widespread Panic, Leftover Salmon and this list could keep on going but i think i am moving onto the next question

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

pretty much anything that’s about growth….community, personal, environmental, trees or children…..growth could also mean change.  I like songs that give power to the people….bring’s people together to overcome their troubles.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

it would have to be unexpected and different than any other day…part of it would have to be filled with all the people i love in the world…which is everyone in the world.  I would also need time alone and time with my wife.  I would want healthy vegan food but then also a cheesecake and bacon burger at some point. I would be playing music with the whole world dancing.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Not sure….you would have to ask them. I know i try to always be there for my friends no matter what it is and I always try to be the best person i can….so hopefully they appreciate everything i am or do.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

it would be a toss-up between two things….one being my James Curtis Mandolin and the other being my labradorite locket with a picture of my son, Cedar in it.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I guess anyone dead

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

it’s not a place i would be in…it’s who i would be with.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

breathe

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Northpole making toys for kids

Name: The Lowest Pair

Birthplace: Arkansas and Minnesota

Currently residing: in a Nissan Maxima..but soon to be Olympia

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Kendl is a solo artist on K records.  She grew up listening to punk rock in Arkansas and followed it out to Olympia, picked up a banjo, started super grass group, the Blackberry Bushes, and had just stepped out of that when Palmer T. Lee, Minnesotan, Boys n’ the Barrels, fellow banjo songster called her up and suggested a banjo duet. They…we.. figured what more could you want and hit the road with it before we’d even worked up a full set. We found a good name without much to live up to, The Lowest Pair, and the rest is now.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Kendl: Soophie Nun Squad, Dead Moon, Bela Fleck, Mirah, Tender Forever, Trampled By Turtles, Bonnie Prince Billy, Townes Van Zandt, Mason Jennings, Gillean Welch, Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, TLC, The Blow, Foghorn Stringband, Charlie Parr, John Hartford

Palmer: Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Gillian Welch, Charlie Parr, Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, John Hartford, Punch Brothers, Bruce Molsky,

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Kendl: Oooh Child, by the Five Stairsteps always, without fail.

Palmer: The blind leaving the blind

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Kendl: Early quiet morning, coffee, writing, a long run, stretching, fruits, veggies, friends, practice, finding yummy mushrooms, cooking, hanging, being warm, wine, buddies, music sharing…love

Palmer:  A little bit of coffee, a little bit of sunshine, lots of picking,

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Kendl: creative energy

Palmer: my kind heartedness

5. What is your most valued material possession?

banjos.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Kendl: Bela. my bottom lip just kind of hung out on the floor and it made it hard to talk

Palmer: Kendl’s Mom

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Kendl: home or the Olympic Mountains in early September

Palmer:  Wabasha County

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Kendl: more music, more hiking, more growing, more hanging, more running, more stretching, more loving, more writing, more drawing, more reading, more

Palmer: gardening and cooking

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Kendl: doing it all better.

Palmer: satisfied

Name: Terri Hendrix

Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas

Currently residing: San Marcos, Texas

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I began writing songs when I was about 8. It’s kept me sane but sometimes drives me nuts, too. Especially when I have writers block. I loved music so much that I majored in it. I dropped out when I was about 21. I began doing open mics and then bought a PA and launched a career. It’s over 20 years later and I’m still at it. My idea of “making it” was to be self-employed and write songs. I’m still in chase of the muse and am still performing full-time. I feel like I’ve been on tour for 20 years though and want roots. So I’m building an arts center in Hays County for the next generation of songwriters. It’s called the OYOU and the website is ownyourownuniverse.org …

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Singers

Ella Fitzgerald

Musicians and Bands

Tom Petty

Guy Clark

Nanci Griffith

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Paul Simon

John Prine

Dolly Parton

Joe Ely

Robert Earl Keen

Lucinda Williams

Enigma

B-Tribe

A3

Jonsi

Enya

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“How dark is it? It’s so dark you can smell the moon.”

— Guy Clark

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I go to bed the same day I wake up. I’m a night owl. So for sure coffee. Then I write. All I do is write. The business takes care of itself. I just write. Then I play ball with my dogs. It’s about 80 degrees outside. I take some ranch dressing and go to dinner … in my garden. I don’t even wash it. I just eat it. Sun sets. Moon rises. Friends come over. We have Pine Ridge Merlot and watch a movie.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I know how to listen. I do not give advice.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My music collection.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Ann Richards. She passed away before I got to meet her.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Italy. I’ve never been. I want to go.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to write more. I would like to have some time off to just create. When I have time off I sputter and putter.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

House paid off. Great health. I want my parents to be in great health. I want my brother and sister to be happy. I want my 18-year-old dog to still be alive. I want to help other people. I want kids to play music. You can’t knock people out if you’re occupied with art. I’d like to have a part in fixing things. And no matter what, I can’t have any bills. I’d like my art to bring money so I can have the means to do what I want with the OYOU and beyond. I’m not a good fundraiser. So, in ten years I’m gonna need to have created and released a golden football.

Name: Scott Sprague

Birthplace: Boise, Idaho

Currently residing: Boise, Idaho

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: My experience in the McCall-Donnelly High School Jazz Band built the foundation of my musical ambitions, which led to the formation of many different pseudo rock/jam bands throughout high school and college (Civil Disobedience, Grassroots, Tripwire, and Red House), until I took five years off of playing music only to rediscover the passion with familiar faces in our current rock/americana project – Innocent Man.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Composers that I’ve looked to for inspiration include George Frideric Handel, J.S. Bach, and Claude Debussy. Miles Davis, John Scofield, and Frank Zappa have carved out a little niche in my heart, too. I used to be obsessed with artists and still am, to a degree. In high school, I remember discovering Jethro Tull and I bought every CD I could to try and get to the heart of the music. Amazing music ranging from jazz fueled numbers like “A Song for Jeffery” and “Inside” to woodland-inspired folk music, such as “One Brown Mouse” and “The Whistler” are so artfully crafted against epics like “Thick as a Brick” and “A Passion Play”. Of course, “Aqualung” gets most of the attention, as it should, but there are some real gems in the catalog once you dive in a little deeper. Later, I found the Grateful Dead and that was my go-to main source of inspiration for a number of years. I was too young to understand the weight of what I was listening to, but the acoustic stuff first grabbed my attention. “Uncle John’s Band” and “Friend of the Devil” were two very powerful songs in my youth. After the Dead, Phish captivated my attention for the better part of the last 15 years. Many people know the band (incorrectly) as an extension of the Dead, but that’s simply wrong. The musicality of the individual members of Phish might never again be seen again in a rock band setting – no exaggeration. The problem is, most people have already formed an opinion of the band without ever giving the music a chance. It’s a pity because if you dismiss a band because of stereotype, you’re missing out. Other bands that I’ve gravitated to lately have been Dawes, Vampire Weekend, The National, and Wilco for depth of substance. Incredible groups all the way around.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion Chorale No. 1 “O Wondrous Love” – one of my favorite pieces I sang in choir during college. I still warm up for shows with the tenor part. With the full harmony, it’s just so beautiful. A more modern example would be Owen Pallett’s “Scandal at the Parkade”. The interplay between the percussive, looping violin and the haunting vocal tone is perfectly simplistic and breathtaking.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I really dislike being idle, so I embrace having a full day. Making breakfast for my wife and feeding my bread starter would be a good beginning. Alternating between listening to music, writing music, and researching wine for most of the afternoon and evening would round out a very productive day. The icing on the cake would be band rehearsal or a show in the evening.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I tend to be the guy who really wants to know what other people are doing. I’m not a boastful person and I tend to shy away from the conversation when it turns to me. I like casting the spotlight on others and being a good listener. I also bake a lot of artisan bread so there’s always free loaves I am pawning off on my friends. I enjoy a good glutenfest, but sometimes when I’m baking 8-12 loaves a week just to keep practicing and getting better, I’ll need some help getting through all of that bread.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

While my customized electric guitar is extremely important to me, the full truth is that my wedding ring tops the list. My wife is so incredible and supportive in everything I do and when I’m on the road and away from her, it’s one of the things that centers me.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

There are many musical idols of mine that I’d be nervous to meet (Trey Anastasio, Bela Fleck, Ian Anderson, Paul Simon, to name a few). I have met several of my non-musical idols and there was a nervous excitement on my part for both encounters. The first was Aubert de Villaine – the director of the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti at the winery in Vosne-Romanee. He ended up being one of the most delightful and down to earth personalities I’ve ever met. The second was Aldo Vacca – the director of the Produttori del Barbaresco. I met him earlier this year at Vinitaly in Verona and I found that he is a very humble man with a strong desire to share his knowledge to people who are interested in gaining something from it. Being a huge fan of the winery he represents, and Barbaresco wine in general, I could not wait to learn from him. I visited him at the winery a week later and it was a life changing experience. When he agreed to come to Boise this summer and talk about his area of the world, I truly felt we had struck up a friendship. I guess that’s the most important thing for me to realize is that when I’m nervous about meeting my heroes, it’s because I want to take away the right things from the encounters.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

I would love to be on the top of Brundage Mountain with 18 inches of fresh powder, a newly waxed snowboard, and a storm that continues to unload on the hill. Possibly make it a Wednesday in mid January and that really could be the best place and time in the world.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I lead a pretty satisfying life right now. I’d always like more time, but not dedicated to one particular thing. I would enjoy being able to bake more artisan breads and write more songs. I’d like to continue studying wine earnestly, particularly Italian wine. All in all, I’d like to learn more about many things in life and have the time to perfect my part in those worlds.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I am very excited about life and the endless possibilities it presents to each of us. In ten years, I’d like to find myself still believing that and embracing it to the fullest. It really doesn’t matter where life takes me as long as the excitement of living hasn’t disappeared.

Name: Isabella Knight & Sonny Lanegan

Birthplace: Germany & Italy

Currently residing: Los Angeles

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Originally coming from Europe, Isabella and Sonny met in Hollywood, when these two maniacs fell in love with each other and started their personal journey following their honest and unmodified impressions, creating an alternative rock duo which comes across with female attitude and raw sounds and is known for its unique sound with bluesy elements and a hint of punk.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

There are so many great artists from all kind of genres and different eras to list…A good mixture of a variety of influences and staying open-minded is probably the key to create your own style and necessary to be unique and not just one of many. Here’s a small selection of our favorites: The Doors, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Puscifer, The Kills, Radiohead, Blur, Alice in Chains, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Breeders, Depeche Mode and many more…

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Nine Inch Nails – The Way Out Is Through

This song always gave and always will give my the chills!! I remember when the song came out in 1999 and I was sitting on a bench, waiting for the bus, listening to the song on my headphones, surrounded by dirty old cars in a small little rainy village. While listening to the song my view and reception of the world around me changed… I felt like I was on top of the world, I could change everything and make the time go backwards. As if you rewind what you see in front of your eyes like a video tape…

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Waking up after 10am (this barely happens in our average life), enjoying a cup of coffee while getting great news in the email and starting the day slowly…Feeling the urge to work, being creative and being fulfilled with energy while working on songs… Breaking through a problem and creating a melody you were searching for…Walking our dog and running into Dave Grohl and remembering that he is just a normal person too… Meeting friends (since our families are so far away, this is an important part in our lives) and enjoying wine and cheese with them (very european)…In general pretty simple things, but you first gotta worship the small things in order to value the big things!

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Sonny: Being a true and honest personality, to always be authentic and to always say what I’m thinking…I’m pretty sure sometimes I come out like an asshole, but I think the majority appreciates that the most about me. And the minority will forgive me one day for my ruthless, straight and open words!

Isabella: I think my friends appreciate most about me that I’m a very generous, nice and friendly person that always gives someone a second chance… Well, maybe sometimes one too much…

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A wooden treasure chest from the 16th century with heavy iron work, which we found on a yard sale in the Death Valley. It really was a lucky catch; we didn’t pay a lot for it – the price was definitely way below value, but the treasure chest has a huge emotional value for us, since it reminds us of a mind-blowing road trip through the Death Valley and to Vegas…

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

It doesn’t depend on the fame or status of a person that would make me nervous – more the way a person approaches you and their attitude. A police officer who stops me at a DUI checkpoint, even though I’m completely sober, could make me more nervous than meeting Mick Jagger! I actually met Mick Jagger at a video shoot and he was the coolest dude ever and absolutely didn’t give you any reason to be nervous!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Somewhere close to the magnetic North Pole where you can see the Northern Lights. We both love cold climates (even though we live in California) and being in a snowy area where you could enjoy this phenomena, would be the perfect place right now!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

There is never enough time to get everything done or to do all the things you want to do. But, us humans can’t do more than one step at a time… So it’s most important to be happy, fulfilled and satisfied with what you are doing. Even if I had the chance, I wouldn’t change anything in my life! I would only promise myself, to stay true to myself and to only do what I like and to say “No” to things that I don’t like. And not to change my mind because it looks like a great opportunity for which you need to sell your soul.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In a nice house with a vineyard and a small restaurant, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, preparing delicious local food paired with great wine and still being able create music for a living and to be free to work from my own place wherever that will be!

Name: michael o’connor

Birthplace: corpus christi,texas

Currently residing: brenham, texas

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: played guitar in church as a kid, quit the day job in 1986, played south texas biker bars, shrimper bars, witnessed  a few fights and two stabbings, played in wedding bands, country clubs, tuxedo gigs, corporate gigs, hosted open mics, hosted jam sessions, played holiday inns and other hotel lounges, played beauty pageants, slinging lead guitar with bluegrass, jazz, rock n roll, blues, swing bands, playing festivals, working in fifty something different bands, opening shows for a very, very long list of the famous and not so famous, cheap trick, huey lewis and the news…it was the eighties, early 90’s moved to austin, texas and started writing songs and played, recorded and toured and co-wrote with the likes of terri hendrix, ray wylie hubbard – who produced my first album, slaid cleaves – who covered two of my songs on his “unsung” album, susan gibson, adam carroll- who i co-wrote and recorded the “hard times” record with, shelley king, jeff plankenhorn, cary swinney and more and more, wyoming the only state i’ve never been too, played everywhere else a dozen or so times over including canada, england, scotland, ireland, holland, beligum, france, played with willie nelson in luckenbach, tx at his annual july 4th picnic, toured and smoked dope with guy clark, recorded on over thirty albums for other artists as well as recording four of my own, two with producer jack saunders and with three more in the works as i type this, a star on the sidewalk of my old home town with my name on it, a beer named after me the “MOConnor smoked irish stout” at Uncle Billy’s Brewery in Austin,Tx and now currently playing solo gigs around the usa and performing with austin bands “apostles of manchaca” and “the night mothers” and have now painted myself into a corner with no way to stop as i am no longer fit for honest work.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

kiss, alice cooper, black sabbath, elton john, ac/dc, los lobos, tom waits, townes van zandt, chuck berry, robert johnson, the beach boys, the beatles, the rolling stones, miles davis, charlie parker, the band, bob dylan, brian wilson, malcolm holcombe, south paw jones, alejandro escovedo, jon dee graham, billy joe shaver, los tigras del norte, john coltrane, mance lipscomb, daniel johnston, django reinhardt, bill monroe, hank williams sr, gurf morlix, bjork, blind willie mctell and john grimaudo.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“caroline no” by the beach boys.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

wake up at home with my wife and my dog, smoke a big joint and go eat mexican food for breakfast. then take a nice easy drive to some cool gig like the anderson fair or gruene hall or something…play the early show to a packed house, make a fat stack of cash, smoke more dope and spend the night jammin’ and swapping songs with friends old and new…and repeat.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

i wouldn’t know.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

my 1980 Gibson ES 355.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

the only person i was ever truly nervous to meet was Guy Clark. he was very intimidating, it was like going to meet mount rushmore or something. i didn’t bother him for the first few days of the tour and thankfully, when he reached out to me he was very kind and supportive. a hero.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Neal’s lodge and campground on the Frio river in concan, tx

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

more tours in europe, make a little money, write, record and repeat.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years? alive and kicking ass.

*photo: Amanda Thompson

Name: Arthur Brown

Birthplace: Yorkshire

Currently residing: East Sussex

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Brassens, Stephen Sondheim, Bartok, Lightning Hopkins, Howlin Wolf, James Brown, Nina Simeone, Moulettes, Lena Lovich, Fela Kuti, Toots and the Maytals, Bob Marley, Estrella Morante, Leonard Cohen, Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, John Coltraine, Holst, Kate Bush, Mozart, Stockhausen, Bessie Smith, Frank Zappa, Lonnie Donnegan, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Kitten and the Hip, Z-Star, Ivor Cutler, Talking Heads, Duke Ellington, Queen, Ken Colyer, Michel Lagoa, Joni Mitchell, the Residents, Ladysmith Black Mambazu, Louis Armstrong, Yat Kha, Peter Gabriel, Eminem, Laura Nyro, Carrie Tree, Afro Celt Sound system, Dr John, Mahvishnu Orchestra, The Smiths, Danny Thompson, Sam Walker, Lucie and Wayne and the Amairican Stream, Camaron, Antarayni, Victor Jara, Richie Havens, Nusrat Fattah AliKhan, Luna Loop. Judge Smith, Kate and Nick Pynn, Jane Bombane, Tina Turner, Maddy Prior, every busker I’ve ever heard, Bjork, Odetta, Oliver Rajamani , Zee Rock and The Flying Balalaika Brothers and a thousand others.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Egyptian Ella, sung by Fatima Spar.or You’ll never Walk Alone (piano version) by Nina Simone.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

my perfect day is, I wake up, have breakfast, and then see what comes.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Ask my friends

5. What is your most valued material possession?

whichever one I’m looking at, at the time.

6. Who were you or would you be nervous to meet?

I just had my first date with a gorgeous lady tonight. I noticed that before we actually got to rendezvous- vous, I was nervous for a few seconds.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

my favourite place to be is always “here”

8. Is there something you’d like to do more of at the moment?

See my grandchildren.

9. Where would I like to find myself in ten years?

Still on my feet!

Name: javier ryan

Birthplace: afton, mn

Currently residing: missoula, mt

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: i was in choir since i i was lttile and thought iwas gonna make comics strips and started teaching myself piano at lunch breaks in ninth grade and then switched to electric organs that i’d watched my grandad play and switched to more portable guitar after graduating from high school and tragedy struck in college and i could’nt paint anymore so i put the pepper on writing and singin’ songs and that’s gone on and off for ten yearsish but i got into looping and drum machines and even had a band with traffic called special peoples and played keys with grit for a while and now i play bass with SHAHS and try to write pop music on my looping setup that sounds like prince MJ george michael billy idol and big black all capture on a demo called PARIS MINGUS made with audacity on a 2003 macbook’s internal mic.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

me like madlib, dilla, metalfingaz (DOOM), grimes, xxyyxx, shuggie otis, pharoah saunders, miles davis, john coltrane, squarepusher, and tom waits. ini kamoze, LEN, yello, r. kelly, kanye, lana del rey. fine young cannibals, willie nelson, bjork, bonnie raitt.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“your mother wouldn’t wanna see you with a poor boy.”? -nick ryan, skin flowers.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

waking up at 11 so i can say “good morning” without people smart-assing at me. do my emails and my social media then practice guitar scales to the news then random ufo vids then some actual shows interlaced with some songs (UMO has been bumped a lot lately.) then i walk downtown with my guitar and start working on whatever new songs-wait… perfect day. i was doing typical. perfect day: wake up after noon in a tour bus in a new town. eat a decent breakfast and then walk around looking at architecture or people in hopes of finding some i get along with. work on new beats, sound check, dinner, play the show and after party a little then get some rest and do it all over again.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

when i leave, so does my aroma. if you’re done with that, i will finish it. i can sleep most places and even through a party. sometimes i have stuff in my beard and they laugh. and i believe in stuff with a child-like somethingness.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

easy. 1985 sequential TOM420 drum sequencer or the  roland gaia.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

probably grimes. and i’d be nervous about being nervous. she’s a dissonance genius and she seems nice from her interviews. i have no filter and an extremely dark sarcastic sense of humor, especially when i’m nervous, so i’d be afraid of trying to be funny then having to dig my foot out of my mouth. i should probably just stick to one word impersonal responses, grunts, and nods. and then i’d just be worried about smiling too much and if i was holding my arms in a weird way. i mean really who does that with their arms? idiot! idiot! idiot!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

maybe in a really tall building, or san francisco, or watching a ufo zip around. i saw one over los alamos once. really.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

i really like recording and producing. i scored a short film. i just started writing a new concept album, and i think i’d like to get more into making videos. i want to make a multidimensional experience of it all, like another reality is bleeding into ours. you know? like t.v. but on a stage. i want to be the j.j. abrams of pop music.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years? it would be nice if i could find myself in less than 10 years.

Name: Fel Torres

Birthplace: Azores, Portugal

Currently residing: Missoula, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I come from a long line of guitar players all the way down to my dad so naturally I started playing drums at 11yrs old, first band at 13 (metal), played in highschool band and some jazz lessons in college time frame, moved to Missoula in 96 and played in Spy Kiss, Fuse, Superfire, Ouija, Thetan Revival, Maria, The New Hijackers & The Cold Hard Cash Show as well as some fill ins throughout the past recent years.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Freddy Mercury

Shannon Hoon

Brian Setzer

Led Zeppelin

John Bonham

Bob Dylan

Rolling Stones

Stevie Wonder

Robert Johnson

Iron Maiden

Dennis Chambers

Johnny Cash

Phil Collins

Qotsa

Waylon Jennings

MMW

Willie Nelson

Ween

So many many many more…

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“White collared conservative flashing down the street, Pointing their plastic finger at me. They’re hoping soon my kind will drop and die, But I’m gonna wave my freak flag high, high. Wave on, wave on. Fall mountains, just don’t fall on me. Go ahead on Mr. Business man, you can’t dress like me. Sing on Brother, play on drummer.” -Jimi Hendrix “If 6 was 9”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A G Rated day or X?

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Hmm… I’m always willing to help? I don’t know, you’d have to ask them 🙂

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My drums, guitars and guns……..Gawd that sounds so white trash.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Being in a Tribute band that fits in so many situations we get hired for a lot of private parties and festivals and such which has put us in the presence of a lot of high profile people and musicians and have been blessed to have played with a number of them as well so I kind of got over the star struckness of it all but I think Page, Plant or any of the Stones or Elton would be a pretty nervous time.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Portugal.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Touring. More touring and another rock project.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

On stage in front of 80,000 people.

Name: Amanda Jo Cevallos

Birthplace: Dallas , TX

Currently residing: Austin, TX

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: i got a guitar when i was 21 wrote my 1st song at 18.. put the pieces together when i was about 24….. spend most of my musical journey trying to figure out which song I wrote to teach to the band next. I’m currently touring Europe, and the US. my band has no name.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

i love Willie. and anyone who writes songs is up there on my list. especially country songs.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“pickin up hookers instead of my kids..” –  Willie Nelson

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

get up late, make coffee, drink it, write a song, “take a nap”, cuddle, have some wine, smoke some weed, repeat.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

i do what the hell i say im gonna do…on my own time of course.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

my cat

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I’m nervous about most things…meeting people is not one of them tho. we are all imperfect, no matter what, so if someone is real famous, and I’m nervous, I just imagine them delivering pizza or flowers.. lot’s of stars did that stuff.. so i default to they probably worked hard for their success, like me, so why be scared of them.. they’re cool. or not. but who cares!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

on top of a mountain by a light house drinking wine with my honey in Spain.. oh wait, I was there last week! and i did that. dammit, take me back!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

no. i do enough now as it is…well, i guess I’d like to play more piano and lead guitar.. but im working on that in the present, so.. in the future I’d like to be good at those things.. currently im dreaming about being good at anything.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

i want to be a mom. So i hope to have kids by then. and a family. couple dogs, a few cats… a career in country music! im not askin’ for much.

Name: Alysia Stern

Birthplace: New York

Currently residing: Long Island

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I began writing poetry and stories at the age of nine. I wanted to be a journalist and an author. I always had a fondness for music and found myself singing my poetry and creating beats in my head. Since Shaun Cassidy “Da Doo Ron Ron” and the Grease soundtrack, I have been a music fanatic.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

I was always a big “Freestyle” fan. Soave, Fascination, Coro, George LaMond and Johnny O are the first few that come to mind. Since Cris and I started our radio broadcast, we get submissions from around the world and there is so much hidden, unsigned talent out there. Lately, Indie musicians have become my favorite. There are too many  artists to name. And as we get to know them, and learn their stories, struggles and triumphs… it makes  their music so much more inspirational.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Enrique Iglesias “Hero.”  Being a New Yorker, September 11th was one of the most horrible historical moments in my life. Every time I hear this song it makes me well up with tears.  All these years later, having an entertainment business and radio broadcast,with Cris,  knowing he is a NYC Fireman ~ I don’t take anything he does for granted. Not even a phone call to ask me to do something stupid.  I guess that song now reminds me of him.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

My perfect day is getting up at 5Am. Putting on the pot of coffee and praying while the kids are still asleep. Then getting them up and off to school, going for a morning run and coming home and working for twelve hours. Work for me at this point is so rewarding. We get to hear new unsigned, unreleased music, we get to meet great people and most of all we get to help people pursue their dreams.  In the evenings, after dinner and showers, I share stories of  the people Cris and I met, show the twins videos or we listen to the new music.  I find that my daughter is now really into writing music and playing her guitar.  So I guess as I am inspired, and sharing the dreams ~ my children are getting inspired as well. To go to bed with inspiration from great talented people and dreams from ten-year old twins and people around the world, it makes me want to wake up tomorrow and do it all again.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

That is hard to say. I know they all know I have a heart of gold, and I am kind and funny also. But the past few years I think some of them think I am self-absorbed. I talk about myself and my career too much. After my husband left, about four and a half years ago, I was not a wife anymore, I didn’t have that identity… and as I realized that although one dream was ruined, the rest of them were still inside me and I was going to pick up the pieces and march forward to be the woman I always dreamed of being. I could not afford to have a PR company represent nor did I have money for expensive press releases or campaigns. So not only was I my own talent, I was my own PR Rep, manager, promoter, fan club and supporter. I guess to someone that may seem selfish, but to me it was all I could do to make this dream into a reality. I had to live it, breathe it and speak it. You never knew who I would meet or who would get to know me and want to hire me. The squeakiest wheel gets the grease. It finally worked for me. My real friends saw past that but I guess I weeded out a lot of “not-so real” friends because I have been deleted on Facebook and not invited to parties or talked about by those who didn’t walk in my shoes and judged me. It just makes my story more “readable” I guess. LOL  I turned the past four years of struggles into experiences that made Cris and I start The Rendezvous Show Inc. – an affordable Promotions Company for Indie Artists.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My iPhone because it has all my contacts and client’s phone numbers and pictures of my children in it.  I could not go a day without it.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

When I got to spend an hour interviewing Gloria Estefan, she really changed the way I look at celebrities. She is so beautiful and humble. I realized people are just people whether they are famous or not. I don’t get “Star Struck” when I do celebrity interviews, but maybe meeting John Travolta or Robin Williams would give me the butterflies in my stomach.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

It’s actually right down the block, on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Richmond where the reality meets the Great South Bay. Hurricane Sandy destroyed the bench I used to sit on, but It was always my place of “regrouping” and serenity. To watch the boats sail by with  the warm Bay breeze on my face… I would definitely say that’s my fave place.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Yes, Family vacations.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I hope in a similar situation, with our businesses, The Rendezvous Show Inc. becoming larger and more well-known. Could you imagine how many Indie artists Cris and I will have met in ten years?  I also hope by then I would have written that world known novel I have been dreaming of since I was nine. I have eight children’s books published now, but I have not yet written one based on music. I hope to have that completed as well.

photo: Leigh Eldridge

Name: Devon Lougheed

Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario

Currently residing: Vancouver, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: A self-righteous hardcore kid with an obsession for weird time signatures and stand-up comedy grows up and gets real and begins to make pop music for oddballs, which culminates in BEEKEEPER, a trio of vagabond music geek raggamuffins who have a crush on you and aren’t afraid to say it.

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 1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

As a band, we’re heavily influenced by They Might Be Giants, Fugazi, Kurt Weill, The Travelling Wilburys, Hawksley Workman, faraquet, Jimmy Eat World, Katy Perry, and, oddly enough, Drake.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

I get especially teary-eyed over the part in “Dr. Jones” by Aqua where the lady is calling Dr. Jones, but he is asleep. Also, bits of “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars and “What Sarah Said” by Death Cab for Cutie really get us weepy.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Sleep in; sun-soaked hangs with cold kombucha beers in the afternoon; beekeeper show at night; whisky-soaked makeouts with the girl or guy we were eyeing all day.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Our excellent hair. Plus we give great back massages, forreals.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Is it cheating to say our instruments? I fished a weird androgynous statue out of a dumpster about 15 years ago; it’s the only thing that has stayed with me through multiple moves. It’s worth nothing in terms of $CAD but if it broke, I’d be chuffed.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I’d like to meet Steve Albini, because he is my hero in so many ways. But, I’m nervous, because nobody likes to find out that their hero is a total asshole, which I’m assuming he is. Steve, if you’re reading this… let’s take this as a jump-off point!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

At The Ford Plant, an all-ages venue in Brantford, Ontario, circa 2004. I’m on stage performing as my rap-alter ego BUTTASMOOTH, and I’m battling my arch-nemesis, Tupperware. We went round for round until everyone agreed it was a draw. He was reading his lyrics off a laptop on stage…

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I have dabbled in standup and improv comedy for years, and much of that and much of that itch gets scratched via beekeeper performances. I’d like to have the time to really get back to it, to work on some things properly. Some people might remember a comedy podcast I did for two years called The Exploding Sandwich; I can’t reveal details yet, but fans of that show and/or of beekeeper should be getting pretty excited right now.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Doing an acoustic tour of wineries in the Niagara region… isn’t that what ALL successful Canadian artists do in ten years?

Name: Merle Travis Peterson

Birthplace: Great Falls, Montana

Currently residing: Great Falls, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Started on harmonica at 14, then switched to Bass, then to guitar, moved to Missoula then to Seattle then back to Missoula playing original Rock and making demos; when I was dying up on stage I started busting into Johnny Cash songs in order to get the crowd back on my side, and they loved it, and it worked better than my stuff ever did, so I started The Cold Hard Cash Show (a Tribute to Johnny Cash) gave up the notion of being an artist/singer songwriter and decided to just be an entertainer, and things have been good ever since.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

1. Johnny Cash

2. Jimi Hendrix

3. Queen

4. Merle Haggard

5. Iron Maiden

… and many many more …

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Conway Twitty, ‘I Can Tell You’ve Never Been this Far Before’

“… I don’t know what I’m saying as my trembling fingers touch forbidden places …”

That line makes me smile. It’s so dirty!

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Everybody leaves me alone for the day, nobody calls, nobody talks to me, and I play the guitar all day long! And it’s NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!! A total fantasy of mine!

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I never ask them for money! Ha ha

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Sadly my car, and only because I have put so much money into it since I bought it. I need it to travel to gigs so I got to keep it running. I wish I could say I own a really valuable guitar but I don’t. I play Fender guitars and if my house was burning down I would grab those first.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was nervous when I met David Letterman and played on his show, but since then I’ve met lots of famous people, including John Mayer and Katy Perry, and I’ve pretty much got over it. They are all just folks! I suppose I was a little nervous meeting Johnny Cash’s brother, because I didn’t know what to expect. I impersonate his brother, but he was nice and said Johnny would be flattered.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Memphis Tennessee, but I’d wait ’til Friday night to blink!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I’d like to Captain a Star-Ship and travel to the far reaches of the Galaxy, in order to rest my spirit. Being a Highway Man is tough! I may be thinking too far into the future.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Probably Las Vegas. I always figured I’ll end up there

Name: Kat Jones

Birthplace: Fresno, CA

Currently residing: Portland, OR

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I was interning at a recording studio because I thought I would never be able to be a musician as at the time I had no musical skill but somewhere that skill appeared out of seemingly nowhere and I was signed to Velvet Blue Music within 2 years of that time so you can imagine what a shock that was and when we released a few records and I had moved to Nashville to be closer to my then boyfriend and my life drastically changed due to some unforeseen circumstances which were apocryphal in nature I had to take a little time off but it didn’t stick because I moved back to the west coast (Portland, OR) to make music and release my next album, I Am Warm Young Blood in the late summer, which is all about this apocryphal season.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Oh my, this is going to be a little hard for me as I am sure it is for most people.
I have been really getting into Ike and Tina Turner lately.
David Bowie and The Smiths are a HUGE influences.
I could easily site Johnny Cash and Nick Cave as being personal role models.  And Cash By Johnny Cash is one of my top 5 books of all time.
Radiohead, Unbelievable Truth, Jeff Buckley, and Over The Rhine all had huge early influences on my voice.  They’re probably all still hidden in there somewhere.
Leonard Cohen’s Book of Love makes me cry every time I read it.
Verdi’s Requiem is one of my favorites.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Paranoid Android by Radiohead gives me chills of ecstasy every single time I listen to it and OK Computer is one of the reasons I make music at all.
I arrived to this record a little late in the game but The Good Son by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds is one of my favorite albums of all time.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

My perfect day would start out with me sitting outside with some food and great coffee, a couple books, and a pen and paper.  I love to write for hours first thing in the morning so a day that starts this way is always incredible.  It would be followed by seeing close friends and talking about art and maybe taking a long drive by myself to some place I have never been.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I cheated and asked my friends because I thought my answer would be the shallow one and they all just made my day.  So here’s what a couple of them said:

Your sense of humor, encouragement, love for celebrating people, love for deep conversations over warm beverages, and overall classiness, your honesty, your moral integrity while dropping more f bombs than die hard 1, 2, & 3 put together, the instant feeling of openness and family (the good kind) whenever you are around.

I love my friends.  They’re awesome.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My dog Daisy.  She means so much to me and we have been through soooooooooo much together.  And she is an AMAZING touring dog.  She is so gentle and loves people.  And when I bring her into a show, she steals it every time.  I stopped bringing her to shows 🙂

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I used to work at a restaurant in East Nashville, TN called The Family Wash.  My former boss James Rubin knows EVERYONE EVER and is in a band called The Magnificent Others.  They’re a supergroup essentially.  I am cutting and pasting their line-up for you to read right… Now!

James Rubin = Lyrics, Vocals, Guitar

Reeves Gabrels [David Bowie, Paul Rodgers, The Cure] = Guitar, Backing Vocals

Marco Giovino [Robert Plant, Patty Griffin, Norah Jones] = Drums & Things That Rattle

Frank Swart [Patty Griffin, Norah Jones, Buddy Miller] = Upright & Electric Basses

Patty Griffin = Backing Vocals

It’s the last one that got me.
Patty came in to the restaurant one night after she recorded vocals for them and it’s the only time I have ever asked James to introduce me to someone.  She was really really nice and I felt a bit awkward so I asked Patty if I could clear the plate off her table for her after telling her I loved her art and that she was a huge inspiration to me.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Scotland.
Or a unicorn hatchery.
Yes, unicorns are made in hatcheries.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to play more music. I would like to unpack my things from the storage unit and put my art up on a wall somewhere. I would like to drink tea with friends and tell funny and inappropriate jokes.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

On a green hillside overlooking a city somewhere.  Portland would do just fine.  So would Edinburgh.  I will always be making art and art is portable.

Name: Ashly Jane Holland

Birthplace: Bozeman, MT

Currently residing: Livingston, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Presently we are coming off of the high of being included in the Livingston Town Proper fundraiser at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture.  We were able to share the stage with John Mayer, Zac Brown and many world-class musicians all the while raising funds for our Park Co. Firefighers!  What a night~

Past, well…it’s been a real amazing musical journey.  Last year was amazing with Red Ants Pants Festival, Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Sweet Pea Festival, Boulder Festival of the arts and more.  We are grateful for all and any opportunities that come our way, the universe has been good to us.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Gillian Welch~simplicity in songwriting at it’s best, while writing killer numbers that you would think are traditional tunes.
Loretta Lynn- she’s an inspiration to me, a self taught songwriter that came from poverty to be where she is today!
George Straitt-handsome and great voice 🙂
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Fiona Apple
Postal Service

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Yes, there are many…

The Cox Family, Kiss me mother, has a special place in my heart.  It makes me long for the maternal relationship mentioned, one I never felt.

One more dollar (Gillian Welch)- “A long time ago, I left my home, just a boy passing 20.  Could you spare a coin and a Christian prayer, for my luck has turned against me.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be to wake up at around 9ish, make some coffee, enjoy it at leisure.  Go to the river with my fiancée Tony, look for Yellowstone River Agates, enjoy lunch, play some music, do some yoga, watch a show and go to bed early…

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Consistency and Honesty. I will be glad to give you my honest opinion, even if it is difficult or uncomfortable.  I want my friends to be the best they can be.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A diamond ring my grandmother Belva gave me. She is the original “Jane” from Little Jane (we share the same middle name-Jane).  She and I are very close and always have been.  She has given me many precious antiques that I value greatly, but the ring was hers and my grandfathers.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I would be nervous to meet Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  I just admire, respect, and value them so much, I think I would be a bit star struck!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

First thought was White Sulphur Hot Springs.  I love the fresh healing waters there~ it is not crowded and perfectly stinky!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Play music!  I would love to move into a full-time music position, vs. the current part-time music.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In 10 years I will have more time to write and play music.  Combining my non-profit experience in the substance abuse prevention field with music in a way to help folks.  Enjoying a healthy, peaceful life with my sweet guy and dog 🙂