Touring since the eighties, singer-songwriter-parking lot
attendant Jamie Anderson has played her warm and witty songs in hundreds
of coffeehouses, concert
halls, colleges and festivals. It's been her goal to play in every one
of the 50 states but feels no failure in reaching 37 of them, especially
since that included several trips to Hawaii and Alaska. She has eight
albums including her newest, Three Bridges. Her music has been featured
on Good Morning America, the Dr. Demento radio show, NPR's Car Talk, and
stations all over the world. Jamie loves being a musician, so she doesn't
really park cars, but her mama said she should have something to fall
back on.
Jamie's a confused folk singer who dabbles in several genres - witness
the bluegrass romp of "Felon," the bluesy "Her Problem
Now," and "Drive All Night," an almost-country number.
“One Out of Three” is a tender ballad about her cousin recovering
from breast cancer and “Grace” is a story about two girls
falling in love with each other at church camp. Hallelujah.
Jamie's dad was a country musician - a pretty painful thing for a teenager
who would rather listen to Carole King and Carly Simon - but it did mean
there were always guitars lying around the house. She taught herself to
play while in high school and for the next few years played local coffeehouses,
bars and at weddings. After the hundredth request for "Wedding Song,"
she decided to write her own songs. Jamie did her first national tour
in 1987 because she needed to earn gas money to get to a music festival.
She's been collecting tiny motel soaps ever since.
When Jamie isn't touring, she teaches songwriting, guitar and bellydance
-- not at the same time, the sequins scratch the back of the guitar. She’s
taught at Duke University, arts centers, privately and at festivals all
over the country. She has a chapter in Songwriting and the Guitar, a book
that also includes Paul Simon, The Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell and others.
Jamie is also a freelance writer whose articles and CD reviews have appeared
in Acoustic Guitar, SingOut! and more.
Laughter is a big part of Jamie's live performance. Her offbeat song
intros and stories help keep the performance fun but don't be surprised
when she delves into more serious issues. She's emceed at many events
and twirls the baton badly, sometimes at the same time. She's also a bellydancer
and former radio DJ, never at the same time.
Anderson's awards include the Jane Schliessman Award for Outstanding
Contributions to Women's Music (Women in the Arts, 2006), Honorary Lifetime
Member (Indiegrrl 2006), Best Folk Album (The Independent, A Promise of
Light, 2005), Honorable Mention (Great American Song Contest, "Beautiful,"
2005), South Florida Folk Festival Finalist (2000 and 2003), Outmusician
of the Year (2002), and others that only her mama cares about.
Jamie's expressive voice and personable stage manner are assets to any
stage. She loves to perform but you really don’t want to hand her
keys to your Volvo unless payment includes chocolate.
Interview
How old were you when you started writing songs and how many years have
you been writing and performing?
I wrote my first song while in my teens. My first girlfriend wrote
the lyrics and I made up melodies. They're embarrassing now but aren't
everyone's first effort? I'm sure Carole King had a few songs she hid
under the bed too.
I pretty much leapt out of the womb singing. As a kid I warbled through
talent shows. When I was fifteen I picked up one of my dad's guitars and
taught myself all the chords in a Mel Bay songbook. I started playing
in bars and at coffeehouses not long after. My first tour happened in
1987 when a friend and I wanted to attend a music festival that was a
three day drive away. We hired a booking agent who did nothing and bowed
out just six weeks before we were to begin. I already scraped together
the money for the festival ticket so when my friend (who also played guitar)
said, "Lets pretend we're booking agents!" I replied, "Uh,
sure." We scored several gigs on pure chutzpah, earning enough dough
to make that festival. I was hooked. I've been dragging my sorry arse
all over the country since then.
At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to be a
part of the music industry as a full time profession?
When a girlfriend, Dakota, asked around that first tour if I wanted
to do it full time. She said I wouldn't want to wake up when I was 80
and say "I wish I'd tried that." She was right.
Who were your major influences with your music?
My dad is one. I grew up hearing live country music in my living room.
I hated it then but now I write some country which sends my dad into fits
of laughter. Others, not so personal, include a lot of singer-songwriters
from the 70's - Steve Goodman, Carole King, Carly Simon, Jim Croce, Joan
Armatrading and Bonnie Raitt.
How would you describe your music?
I'm a confused folk singer who dabbles in several genres, from folk
to jazz. I love bluegrass and like I said earlier, I've written a couple
of country tunes. About a third of my live show is comedy - funny songs
and some stand-up.
What all instruments do you play?
Guitar is my main instrument. I also play mandolin and a few others
that mostly stay in my closet. <insert favorite closet joke here>
How many personal CD projects have you finished and are you working
on or have any future project in the works and how involved are you in
the production and engineering of your projects?
I've produced or co-produced all of my eight albums. I'd like to do
another album - I certainly have enough songs - but nothing is in the
works now.
What special honors or awards have you received over the years in your
music career?
Jane Schliessman Award for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Music
(Women in the Arts, 2006), Honorary Lifetime Member (Indiegrrl 2006),
Best Folk Album (The Independent, A Promise of Light, 2005), Honorable
Mention (Great American Song Contest, "Beautiful," 2005), South
Florida Folk Festival Finalist (2000 and 2003), Outmusician of the Year
(2002). There are more but heck, that's enough for now. :)
What is your favorite venue to perform live and why?
That's way too hard! My favorite venues are the one where they listen.
And the check doesn't bounce. All right, all right, I'll answer the National
Women's Music Festival. They're always so kind to me and they pretty much
let me do any damn thing I want. Not only have I done musical sets (often
with a full band, something I don't always get to do) but I've emceed,
taught workshops, bellydanced, and twirled the baton. Yeah, I'm not just
a singer-songwriter, I'm a vaudeville act.
For you what is the hardest part of writing a song?
Getting out of my rut of the same chord progressions.
What does it mean to be "Indie" to you?
Not attached to any big label or management company who's telling me
how much weight to lose or what songs to sing.
What are the hardest challenges you face as an independent artist?
Getting the word out about my music.
How has the Internet changed your approach to your musical endeavors?
It's easier to reach a broader audience. It's a better way to book
gigs, for sure. I wouldn't want to go back to the days of answering machines
and snail mail.
How do you see the future of downloadable music?
It's a good thing as long as folks don't expect everything to be free.
Which music web sites do you check out most?
www.indie-music.com, www.minor7th.com
Do you own your own record label or publishing company or plan to do
that in the future?
It's all mine, baby.
What advice can you give to someone who is just starting to market themselves
in the Indie music market?
While the biz stuff is important, don't forget about your craft. Get
feedback on your songs, instrumental ability and performance skills. Take
lessons. Read books. Listen to other performers and see what they're doing
that attracts you. Don't make an album before you're really ready.
What are your main goals for 2008 and in your continued music career
as a whole?
Write more songs. Finally learn those Johnny B Goode riffs.
Who do you listen to for fun?
I have hundreds of CDs and a ton of songs on my computer so it depends
on my mood that day. I have a bunch of those Putamayo collections that
I really like. Lately I've been groovin' on the Latin compilations. I
love singer-songwriters like Cheryl Wheeler, Christine Kane, Vickie Randle,
Janis Ian, Carole King and Chris Rosser. Sara Bettens rocks my world.
Lez Zepplin is damn fun, especially if I'm near a mosh pit.
What is something fun and quirky about yourself that you can share
with our readers?
Damn, haven't I told you enough already? :)
What does Indiegrrl and being an honorary member mean to you?
I am so flattered that my work is recognized!
Is there anyone you would like to thank that has helped you along in
your career or in the music industry as a whole?
My dad. Women in the Arts, the women who put on the National Women's
Music Festival, have been very supportive. Many performers like Suzanne
Westenhoefer, Margie Adam, Holly Near and so many more who gave me great
advice and so graciously allowed me to share their stages.
halls, colleges and festivals. It's been her goal to play in every one
of the 50 states but feels no failure in reaching 37 of them, especially
since that included several trips to Hawaii and Alaska. She has eight
albums including her newest, Three Bridges. Her music has been featured
on Good Morning America, the Dr. Demento radio show, NPR's Car Talk, and
stations all over the world. Jamie loves being a musician, so she doesn't
really park cars, but her mama said she should have something to fall
back on.