Young Beaverhausen Revealed!

The year:1978. Jersey Boy Buddy Beaverhausen hits the Big Apple! Apparently, I hoped to bring back the Carnaby Street Look! Going Mod or just mad?

Thanks to Ron Davis for this vintage image of the Beave back in the day.

It's June, Gay Pride Month, and I'm back from vacationing in Florida. Do I look Gay Proud enough in this post-Stonewall photo? Expect a plethora of reviews, commentaries BUT, first and foremost, expect more EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY Q&As, right here at Leave it to Beaverhausen! Your best in on-line infotainment!

Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with the Delightful Ms. Julie Budd, part 1

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer.  She will be at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Finger Lakes, New York this Saturday, May 2. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: You have been performing since you were 12! Although you're not quite as old as I am, you started at the time of girl group music. Most young women singers at the time, even Marilyn Michaels & Betty Buckley, have done the "girl" thing) in the style of, say, Lesley Gore or Dusty Springfield. Did you ever venture into that territory back then?

Julie Budd: No, no, not really. I mean, back then, I was hoping to have a hit record so I chased the market a little, But I was never seriously in that particular market.

BB:  I understand you were brought to national attention by Merv Griffin on his talk show, then also appeared on Johnny Carson. What was it like meeting these classic talk-show hosts? And how has the talk-show circuit changed since then?

JB: The talk-show circuit has changed a lot. They're very different now. I think, when I did them, everybody did that. Now, it's very, very hard to get tv, unless you have a hit record or movie or tv show to promote. When I started in show business, there were the variety shows on television, and they had all types of talent on. Variety entertainment then was really in the mainstream. Everybody did it! Today, television is very different.

BB: I remember, growing up, watching the talk and variety shows -- even on afternoon tv, like The Mike Douglas Show -- and it was different because the celebs didn't have people advising them on what and what no to say. So, it was more candid.

JB: Yes, I think that's absolutely right.

BB: What music did you listen to growing up, and what singers influenced you the most?

JB: The first person who really struck me and influenced me was Julie Andrews. She was the ultimate to me. She could sing, dance, she was fabulous on Broadway! She could do everything! Also, when I was a girl, I had an extremely high voice and I could sing in her range. I loved her! And my mother and dad used to go out on Saturday nights and once they brought me back to original cast recording for My Fair Lady. They bought it at Colony Records. Remember Colony?

BB: Yes. I the Brill Building. I loved that place!

JB: Right, the biggest record store in NYC at one time. A little above the theater district. Anyway, one night they brought me home My Fair Lady and I thought it was the greatest record I ever heard in my life! I learned all the songs and sang them for my dad. I did little shows for him when he came home from work. And my mom would tell me, "Leave daddy alone and let him have his dinner." [Laughs] My dad would say, "No, no, that's ok. Let her sing."

BB: That's so funny. I'll tell you, very briefly, that when I was about six or seven, my mom took me to our downtown record store where she always bought me 45s. Well, this time I wanted an album. She thought I'd buy a Disney soundtrack or rock'n'roll, but I wanted My Fair Lady!

JB: [Laughing.] Isn't that something? Well, you know, my mom could really sing. But she was too shy for show business. You know, this business is very tough. And there I came, you know, all ready to go into show business. I think it drove them crazy. It got to a point where they couldn't deny it any more so they let me try it. So I started out at 12 years old and there I was meeting Merv Griffin. Meeting Herb Bernstein changed everything. He got me on Merv's show. And I'd never done anything before like that. It was a whirlwind but I didn't know anything else, so I thought, "Well, I guess that's the way it works."

Part 2 to come.

The Art of Joi Cardwell: EXCLUSIVE Q&A

Joi Cardwell is truly one of the most amazing divas we have and pretty much a national treasure for dance-music people. I was so overwhelmed she agreed to a Q&A with me. I was qvelling! Joi did not disappoint and gave good interview. In all her diva glory, I present Ms Joi Cardwell:

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Welcome, Joi, to Leave It to Beaverhausen. My international dance-music fans will be thrilled you joined us for this Q&A!

Joi Cardwell: Thanks for asking me.

DBB: Let's talk about your new album, The Art of Being. What can your fans expect? 

JC: As always, my fans can expect great vocals, compelling storytelling and a cohesive yet exciting mix of production styles from some really cool and talented international producers.

DBB: A new Joi Cardwell album is an event always. I downloaded The Art of Being at Amazon and am loving it. Do you expect to release it also in cd format and, if not, why not?

JC: We are currently exploring a limited release of the album in both cd and double vinyl 

DBB: Great!

DBB: Can we get your perspective on how much the music industry, and in particular, how dance music, as well as the club scene, have changed since the '90s and the days of labels like Nervous and Eightball?

JC: [Laughs] The biggest change has been us. We as a group have never stopped dancing, singing, djing or producing music and I think that, other than jazz musicians, we are the only genre to stay true to the music through time. I'm not the biggest of club goers but of course the vocalists and live shows are far more sparse these days which is a shame. But the biggest difference is the blatant separation of partygoers. Of course, the boys always had their circuit but the rest of the time the best parties were gay, straight, black, white, Latin and everything else thrown in for kicks. Some things never change though labels like 8 Ball and Nervous were brands and now you have the same thing with Defected, Ultra, etc.  Djs of course are all thinking they are producers and the main element of a record. Which truly is only the case for a select few. 

DBB: You'll never remember this but I'll never forget meeting you once. It was at the late Louis Morheim's record and cd store, Heartbeat, on West 10th St. You were just as sweet as could be. Not a trace of a diva attitude. Do you save that for the stage?

JC: That's really sweet of you to say. I would really say I save the diva attitude for contract negotiation. And really just try to have fun making and performing music. It is a blessing to have my talent and I am truly grateful for it. It took a while for me to appreciate it and sometimes the pain that goes with being an artist. 

DBB: As a New York City girl, what singers influenced you growing up? And how did you first become interested in dance music as a genre for self-expression?

JC: I was influenced by everything and everyone from Billie holiday and Sarah Vaughn to Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand. Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield as well as Ashford and Simpson to Steven Sondheim were my songwriting muses. I used to go to a lot of concerts and Broadway with my parents. 

DBB: "Trouble," "Jump for Joi," "Love & Devotion," "You Got to Pray," "Soul to Bare," "Run to You,"  "Found Love, "Mind Control," "It's Over." Your list of club hits is phenomenal. And each, I think, is imbued with a really poetic sensibility uniquely yours. How do you approach your songs?

JC: My songs are always written subconsciously. The technique though is fairly straightforward. Either I see an incident or hear a phrase or theme and construct a melody based around a story. Otherwise, I get an instrumental and again hum out a melody. Usually, the sounds are my rough catalyst for words and then again the story just flows. They aren't always good. [Grins.]

DBB: Every Christmas, I play "My First Christmas with You." It's been on my blog's Christmas countdowns. It's become kind of a club perennial, hasn't it? Does it bring back any special memories for you?

JC: I wrote that sing one hot July by request of my label. I'm actually looking to write some more holiday tunes, maybe shock some people with my more classical songwriting abilities. We all know it's gonna be remixed. It was a lovely sentiment for a person I'm no longer with but I do appreciate the camp of it. 

DBB: I think my personal favorite Joi Cardwell song was "Last Chance for Love." I usually tear up when I hear it. Did it come out of a painful place for you at all?

JC: "Last Chance for Love" was a song to my music public who at the time was so busy bootlegging my music I was pissed off. And heartbroken. I work so hard on my craft and for people to take it and not care about the repercussions for me as a person and artist ended up as that song. 

DBB: "Indian Giver" is the hot new single off The Art of Being. I love it! Much success on the charts with it. Any word on how it's doing this early in the game?

JC: Well, we reached the top ten on the Traxsource top 100 albums in less than a week and I truly believe our work has just begun. Next, we push through on the other major portals and work press. I love Indian Giver personally. There will be a new video for that as well which, near the end, I bare pretty much everything but my soul. [Laughs] 

DBB:  I was talking to my friend (and "brother from another mother") Nick Lion, who runs ICON in Astoria (Queens), which has become one of NYC's most popular clubs. The vibe is very '70s or '90s, with club-loving people who come to see, be seen, mix & mingle, and to dance! Any chance we'll be seeing you there sometime soon?

JC: I would love to. All they have to do is ask. Well, and of course, pay me. [Laughter]
DBB: I'm sure they'll come knockin'.

DB: Thank you, Joi Cardwell! Indeed, one of our major club-music artists. This was such a pleasure. As my blog is primarily written with fan LGBT audience in mind, I was wondering if you might have a final shout-out to your LGBT fans around the world?

JC: I would like to thank the LGBT community for its love and support for all these years and know that my experiences, shared and one on one have made me the artist and person that I hope has made the world a bit better one beat and note at a time. And... this diva has no intention of leaving you anytime soon. BIG love!

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Buddy B's Labor Day Bulletin Blab

Labor Day signals the closing of summer and the coming in of autumn. And Buddy B is in "development" with a new, live on-stage edition of his famous (or are they infamous?) Q&A sessions that appear on this blog and in syndication online.

Hopefully, the events will take place at my fave NYC LGBT club venue and I'll keep you all posted as to future reports. Also, look forward to more celebrity interviews on the blog, new reviews, commentaries, poems from time to time, and more. The best in LGBT infotainment! Accept no imitators.

Here we go, into the stratosphere! Fingers crossed? Wish me luck!

Love you all! I thank you for your massive and international support that makes me feel I'm doing something right.

Stay tuned and, in the meantime, enjoy my written word right here with a busy, new social season coming right up!

The Diva Behind the Mask: Exclusive Q&A with Masquerade

Masquerade is another hot summer diva, along with Toni Sea and DeVonde Williams, off Inaya Day's new dance-music label. Masquerade is quite a charmer; at turns clever, campy, hilarious, theatrical, always entertaining... and that's just in this interview! Can't wait to see her later this month @ Icon, NYC. Ladies & gentlemen, I present the one, the only, the divine Masquerade!

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Welcome, Masquerade, to our Q&A, where dance music fans around the world can get to know you a little better. For one thing, your name. How did you come to reinvent yourself as the house-music diva known, alluringly, as Masquerade?

Masquerade: Thank you! I’m glad to be here! Hmmm, MASQUERADE. The truth of the matter is I was terrified of entering the world of Dance Music. Especially since Inaya Day would then become a colleague of sorts-and have you heard her?! I mean, there are some serious, certified DIVAS in Dance that I’d have to contend with. So I needed something to hide behind; you know, just in case! There's that, in addition to the fact that Masquerade is just one of my musical personas, and I kind of wanted to keep them all separate.

DBB: You have a very hot new dance track entitled "Higher." Can you tell us a little about that and the remix ep coming from Ny-O-Dae music?

M: Well, I actually wrote “Higher” for Inaya! She loved it, but had already recorded an album’s worth of material that was on a tight release schedule. She told me that I had two options: to wait ‘til she released all of her new music (which could take well over a year!) or I could do it myself. That’s when I told her that I don’t sing “House Music ” and she replied, “Why not?!” (With that- “Stop being a punk”- tone in her voice), and I just couldn't come up with a good enough reason not to! So I guess HIGHER created Masquerade! Inaya signed the song to her label, and has been instrumental in creating all of these amazing opportunities that keep rolling in! They are all different, and it’s crazy hearing what these fabulous producers came up with! Remixes from Mike Jolly, Lucius Lowe, Phonix & Yllavation, Samuri Divided souls and La Alen, and Deep Dive Corp! They feel like totally new songs!

DBB:Ny-O-Dae is the hot new label from recording artist Inaya Day. How did you two divas hook up?

M: Inaya and I have been friends for years! I actually used to tour manage her around 2004-2006. We met through her late brother Schon Jomel Crawford many years before, who was my musical mentor, putting me on the stage at night clubs in NY since I was 16! He was also an amazing singer.

DBB: New Yorkers can see you performing soon, at Icon in Queens, where I look forward to seeing you live. Can you share the date and tell us a little of what we might expect from you?

M: Yes! I’ll be at Icon on Friday August 15. You can expect me to look nothing like any of the pictures you’ve seen! I don’t even know what I’m going wear yet... but it will be HAWTTT!! Expect to have a blast and to sing along to Higher- because I will be testing... you especially!

DBB:You performed at Chicago Pride Fest earlier this summer. What was that like and is there anything in particular you'd like to say to your LGBT fans?

M: Performing at Chicago Pridefest was exhilarating and terrifying all in the same breath! I mean, here I am a new artist, on the same stage with Jennifer Hudson, Thelma Houston, and of course Inaya Day! That was pressure- but soooo much fun! The LGBT community embraced me, and was singing my song (a song that I’m sure most of them had never heard before) long before I’d even finished the first chorus! That was such an amazing feeling. So to the LGBT fam, I want to say THANK YOU… ! Thank you for being the ones who show up, support, sing the songs and buy the music!!!! (Got me higher --Thank you!)  

DBB: You live in Atlanta, you have a little girl, you work, you tour, you record. How do you juggle all this? What are the demands like to live in both worlds: that of a dance diva on the go, showing up at clubs to perform, recording, and being a mom with a child to take care of?

M: Honey!!!  I thought I was keeping all of this stuff under wraps! Do I look like I’ve had a child!? Stop spreading rumors!!! MASQUERADE has no children! But I guess the chick behind the mask has one or two, or THREE! And she told me that it’s crazy trying to juggle being a mother who is active in her children’s lives while still trying to pursue a career in music. I think it would have a little different if she had been established as a successful artist first and then started the family. Because right now, there is a whole lot of ground work that has to be done as an up and coming artist, with little compensation. That scenario makes it imperative to wear 2 and 3 hats in order to maintain a lifestyle that will not conflict with [what] her family has come to know. She records at home -- sometimes with one kid sleeping on the couch in the studio, another on the floor doing homework, and one sitting on her lap with her hand over his mouth! Luckily, she has a great support system. All in all, I'd say it’s rather impossible- but Masquerade hails from a land of infinite possibilities!

DBB: Great answer. What career do you see for your alter ego, the glam and somewhat mysterious Masquerade? Where do you see Masquerade five years down the road?

M: I hope that Masquerade is household name in 5 years. Heck! I hope Masquerade becomes a household name by the release of her next single!!!  In five years, I see her singing because she wants to, not because she has to. Being able to live comfortably through the success of my craft, cranking out Billboard chart toppers, and coming back to hang out at cool places like Icon without the mask and no one be the wiser? That's my ultimate goal!

DBB:  If my information is correct, you were born in Grenada, grew up in Brooklyn and later moved to Atlanta. What was the time frame for all that? That is, what years did you live in each of those cities?

M: What?! Are you the CIA?! I’m supposed to be incog-negro!!! Remember?! MASQU- erade!!! (laughs) I’m not giving you specific years either! Because then you’ll figure out how old I am! I was born in Grenada, a beautiful island in the Caribbean, and came to America when I was 5. I grew up in little West Indies (Brooklyn), and didn’t leave there until I was in my twenties. Then I moved to Jersey City for about 2 years until I relocated to Atlanta, (the metro Atlanta area) in 2008. Been there ever since. I love it, but I do miss New York a lot, and can’t wait to get my fix in two weeks!

DBB: You also have a fabulous new single coming up which is, in fact, titled "Fabulous" and there's a video in the works by famed celebrity photographer and music-video director Karl Giant. What can you share with us about that?

M: FABULOUS is my baby!!! I love that song! Much like HIGHER, it’s an empowerment number, but it’s a little more fun, and playful. I actually wrote and recorded the original version of this song over 10 years ago at Inaya’s home studio in Brooklyn! When Inaya told me that we were vastly approaching the time for a follow-up, FABULOUS was the first thing that came to mind. When I told her that I was thinking of recreating it, she told me that she was thinking the same thing! As for the video, I love Karl Giant’s work, and when we finally got a chance to speak, his ideas were amazing... and costly!  But, oh so WORTH IT! I cannot wait to get the ball rolling on this! We are due to start filming when I come to NY for the gig at Icon in August.

DBB: Great timing! Masquerade, thank you so much for doing this Q&A. I look forward to seeing you perform at Icon when I will join your Ball. Any last words you'd like to leave your fans?

M: Fans?! I have fans?! Surreal. I really want to meet and personally thank you all! So if you are in the NY area on the 15th, PLEASE come see me! MUAH!

EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Dj Woofy B

Dj Sonido Woofy B (Dj Woofy B for short) is part of what makes L.A. so hot. You can hear his upbeat mixes on Sobel Nation Radio when you dance at night and lock the doors where no one else can see.  I truly enjoyed our Q&A with this new, exciting talent who brings excitement back to dancefloors as well as to Internet radio.

 www.sobelnationradio.fm www.sobelnationradio.fm

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen:  It's indeed a joy to interview a favorite dj of mine, Dj Sonido Woofy B! Thank you for agreeing to do this Q&A, Woofy. 

Dj Woofy B: I would like to start out by saying what an honor it is to be a part of the Sobel nation and to have the opportunity to help promote all of the wonderful music from our army of producers.

DBB: Now, you most likely were not baptized Sonido Woofy B any more than I was baptized Buddy Beaverhausen. Where, why and when did you adopt that name? 

DWB: Woofy B is a nickname that I was given about 10 years ago in my hometown of Atlanta from fellow bikers in a motorcycle riding club in which I was active. One of my favorite leisure activities is riding on long-distance motorcycle road trips. The “B” really has two meanings. It refers to “Bear” and it is also the first letter of my given name. “Woofy” is a term of endearment used in bear culture by someone who is considered attractive or sexy by this admirer. 

DBB:  We can hear you on Sobel Nation Radio as Dj Woofy B, Saturday nights at 8 pm EST, 5 pm PST. What can people who tune in expect to hear? Who is your target audience? 

DWB: My target audience is part of a pretty large, diverse spectrum: Fans of circuit house music, listeners who want to checkout some of the newer dance releases, and audiophiles who want a different option from the everyday radio stations which are known to play the same track line-up hour after hour. I do post my completed mix shows on Soundcloud.com/Woofy-B. With Soundcloud, I am thrilled and grateful to have a pool of loyal listeners. I aim to please and always value listener feedback. Some followers report bringing my downloadable mixes with them to the gym, some play my mixshow in their retail shops to entertain their customers while they shop, and a couple dance club owners on the east coast reported playing my mixes a couple times a week on nights when they were missing an in-house DJ. Those are the types of stories from listeners that delight me. 

DBB:  I love your upbeat mixes. And I love that they're very diva-oriented for a large part. Who are some of your favorite dance divas? 

DWB: I have been a huge fan of Inaya Day since I first started going out to the Atlanta clubs in the early 90’s. Within the big world of dance music, urban soul (aka uplifting vocal house music) has always been one of my favorite go-to genres. Divas who really put me in “the zone” are Inaya Day, Kim English, Vernessa Mitchell, Michelle Weeks and Amanda Wilson. 

DBB: If you could pick one ~ and only one ~ dance-music diva you'd like to meet, who would she be? 

DWB: Inaya Day. Her music has been such a huge influence in my musical journey and in my life over the past 20 years. Whenever I have to think too long about what song to play next in my set, I go just right into the Inaya collection. 

DBB:  Born in Atlanta, you moved out to L.A. When, and why? 

DWB: I moved from Hotlanta to LA in 2011 as part of a company relocation. I have been with this same company for a little over 15 years now. You could say I am a bit of a geek. In my day job, I do technical troubleshooting on data networks. Before this year is out, there is a likelihood of me doing another relocation to our office in Dallas. I would be excited to checkout the Dallas scene. 

DBB: How's life out on the West Coast been treating you? 

DWB: I really enjoy West Coast living. In the last 3 years, I have made some wonderful friends and have an adopted California family who support me in following my dreams and have been there for me with when my recent long term relationship ended. In California, I feel more connected to the music scene, in and out of the club scene. Some of my favorite producers hail from San Francisco which is another wonderful city that I enjoy visiting. 

DBB: You can also be heard on Dance World Radio. How did that come about? 

DWB: I can really thank Barbara Sobel for believing in my mixes and recommending me to the station manager of Dance World Radio, John Carroll. I went from doing a monthly podcast on Soundcloud, Bear Night Radio, to a regular weekly set on Sunday Nights at 10PM EST. I am really thankful for the opportunity to be a part of internet radio and to help promote the latest releases. 

DBB: At what point in your life did you become interested in dance music? What/who were your early influences? 

DWB: For those of you who can remember back to the mid-80’s, I had a boombox in my room and often cranked up many of the popular billboard tracks at the time. I started collecting 12” vinyl remixes in the 90’s and DJ’d at fraternity parties. Before I started following diva house music in the late 90’s, some of the earlier 12” remixes which I played a lot were New Order, Information Society, and Depeche Mode. 

DBB: On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Woofy.B?fref=ts, you wrote "My local coffee shop has turned into a full blown community music production studio. Music and caffeine are my addictions." I believe you were at Starbucks at the time. In what way did it become a studio? And what's your favorite drink there? 

DWB: At any time of day or night, my local Starbucks will have a customer with a laptop on just about every table. I have seen customers bring full-sized keyboards in to work on their music tracks, a couple will bring an entire iMac in to work on their guitar tracks, A few podcast DJ friends (we follow each other on Soundcloud) work on their mix shows at Starbucks pretty regularly while they are getting their coffee buzz on. I like to checkout the latest remixes from Sobel Promotions while I am warming up with a java. My favorite drink is called a red eye. That would be coffee with a shot of espresso for a little extra kick. 

DBB: Is it true that, when not in public, you like to spin in the nude? 

DWB: That particular rumor does hold some truth. On occasion I do go nude. I find that the less clothes I am wearing, the more free my mixes flow. It really brings out the creative streak. Regarding the other part of your question- Who says that you can’t spin nude in public? This is California, a pretty liberal state. Ok.. semi-nude in public. If I am doing a club event in public I prefer DJ’ing at venues which allow me to go shirtless. That’s why I don’t do weddings. 

DBB: Thank you so much, Woofy! Any last shout-outs to the world? 

DWB: I want to say that I am grateful for each and every one of my loyal listeners who tune in to my weekly shows. Keep listening!

EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Martha Redbone

In 2007, Martha Redbone was awarded the Independent Music Award for her album, Skintalk. Ms Redbone is one of the brilliant lights in the firmament of voices of the indie music business and is independent in spirit and artistic direction as well. She is not a flavor of the month. She is here to stay. It was my pleasure to be able to do this Q&A with her. Thanks to the artist as well as her publicist, Bernadette Quigley, who arranged this interview with me. 

DJ Buddy Beaverhausen: Martha, thank you so much for doing this interview with us. I'm thrilled your album, Garden of Love, is now nominated for Best Concept Album at the upcoming Independent Music Awards.  How do you feel about it?
 
Martha Redbone: It’s always an honor to be recognized for your work. This particular project is extra special because it was a sort of tribute to my family.

DBB: What inspired you to put the poems of William Blake to music? And to reinvent them as blues and honky-tonk and rock ballads?

MR: My partner Aaron Whitby rediscovered the book on our living room shelves and it immediately opened up to the poem “A Poison Tree”. He thought the poem was great and might make a great song. Then I checked it out and started humming a honky-tonk blues kind of melody and before we knew it we had a song. We flipped through a few more pages and found another. And another and so on. We ended up with about 50 poems we loved the language and imagery which described Appalachia and Black Mountain to me. The language reminded me of what I imagined my great-great grandmother might sing in church.

DBB: Garden of Love is your fourth album in 11 years. How do you think your music may have evolved over this time span?

MB: The music has always been soulful; this hasn’t changed. There has always been music played with real instruments by real musicians. The style has changed but it’s always been the roots of American music, be it blues, soul, rock, funk. All these things are Americana to me.

DBB: Who are the musicians who most strongly influenced you and your music in your life?

MR: This is always a tough one because there are hundreds. I can’t name a first person because they are equally important in my music influence, so I will say that my family has strongly influenced the music in my life. From the music in the mountains growing up in a Harlan County coal-mining family, to the sound of blues and soul music on the stereo my parents would dance to at dinner parties. Then my own personal influences.... I’m a singer today mostly because of two powerful women: Buffy Sainte-Marie and Chaka Khan.

DBB: Lady Gaga, Vampire Weekend, Beyoncé and you (among others) are on pop music critic Robert Christgau's Dean's List that was reprinted on the Barnes & Noble site. What's it like for you to find yourself in that company?

MR: To be honest, I think I help give those pop icons some credibility being on that list. 

DBB: I think you're absolutely right!

MR: Mr. Christgau’s a very intelligent man and I’m so thankful he got to hear AND ENJOY our album. If I were they, I’d be honored to have an independent musician with an album of William Blake poems set to music... once I’d figured out who William Blake was. Ha!

DBB: What was your experience working on this album with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder and GRAMMY winner John McEuen like for you?

MR: We had a blast on that album; the musicians were a dream come true. Byron House, Mark Casstevens, Debra Dobkin, Aaron Whitby, David Hoffner in Nashville and LA… and the background singers, Keith Fluitt, Mary Wormworth, Michael Inge, Ann Klein in NYC. We had the dream ensemble and it was a dream to record. John’s arrangements to our songs are simply gorgeous. Nicholas Sevilla is our mixing engineer who put the magic touches on the finishing and the guys who mastered it truly MASTERED it. John is a legendary recording and touring musician, he knows a lot about a lot. And he’s very funny.

DBB: As a Native American, did the voices of other women of Native American backgrounds ~ Buffy St Marie or Rita Coolidge ~ inspire you whatsoever?

MR: Of course, as I said earlier, I am a singer/songwriter today partly because of Buffy Sainte-Marie. I saw someone on TV who looked like my mother breast feeding her baby on Sesame Street and singing songs she had written about the injustices of the world, her culture, her homeland. Fearless, she walks the walk. I want to be her when I grow up.

DBB: Could you tell us a little about your growing up and what music you were exposed to in your home and throughout your formative years?

MR: Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Dolly Parton, BB King, Aretha Franklin, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, James Brown, The Staple Singers, Doobie Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac. The list goes on and on for childhood.

DBB: Besides the glowing review you received from Christgau, who once wrote for the Village Voice, the Village Voice recently wrote you were "poised to be Americana's next superstar." Are you prepared to take that mantle on?

MR: In the words of amazing musician friend Meshell Ndegeocello “Stars tend to fall, I’d much rather be a moon.” I couldn’t agree more.

DBB: The independent music business. There is a large and ever-growing market for it among the public in the USA and around the world. As an indie artist, what are your thoughts on this phenomenon? And, surely, there are advantages and disadvantages you experience as an indie artist. Could you discuss those as well?

MR: I’ve always been indie, from the very beginning. Never had a major record deal; never had the experience of a big machine working behind me. So I can’t speak on how that might feel. But my independent music journey has brought me so much joy, so much closer to the people, grassroots, has allowed me to become deeply involved with causes I believe in, WhyHunger.org’s Artist Against Hunger & Poverty program, ManUp Campaign, Bayou Healers Cultural Camp, The Great Anishinaabe Canoe Races, Dennis Banks’ Sacred Run. All these causes helping to preserve our culture and encourage community support. These are gifts that being an indie artist bring me.

DBB: Martha Redbone, again I thank you and wish you the best on your brilliant new album. Any last shout-outs to our readers around the world?

MR: Thanks so much for your belief and support of our music! As an indie artist we do not exist without you, so if you discover us and like the music, please help us out by spreading the word, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other social media outlets.

[Please check out the following link ~ Bj Buddy Beaverhausen
http://www.martharedbone.com/  ]