A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JENNY
(while she fries eggs on her gas stove, that is...)
Q How would you describe your style of music?
A I like to say my music is "real, fun, and REAL FUN!" It's kinda sassy but hopefully it has a little wisdom thrown in with it. I'm not 65, but I'm not 16 either, so my songs don't have a lot of "whiney, complaing, broke my heart" junk. I'm a working mom. When I was sixteen I started working, and ever since I've been either earning a living, going to school, raising kids, or doing all three at the same time. I haven't been sitting around eating bon-bons! So I know a little about what women go through, and that's mostly what I write about. I've got some songs on this album plus many more in my catalogue that speak directly to the working woman and/ or mother. I'm proud to be a voice for us, because goodness knows, we deserve one!
Q How long have you been singing?
A I guess I've been singing since I was a toddler. I sang a little bit in public when I was a kid. Sometimes in school they'd pick me for solos, but I basically sang around the house and to the radio for most of my life. I'm not one of those performers who "grew up on stage". But the desire was always there. Finally when I was into adulthood, I decided to perform.
Q How do you feel about performing?
A Giving me a mic is like giving candy to a little kid. I can't get enough of it and you have to pry it out of my hand to get it away from me. But honestly, to me there's nothing more fun than performing. I guess I'm kind of a goofball anyway, and then stick me in front of a crowd and that's when it really gets good! I just figure that if I'm having fun and the crowd's having fun too, then that's what live music is all about anyway.
Q How long have you been writing songs?
A Since I was really young I've always enjoyed writing things like stories and limericks. On the other hand, I've always loved playing the piano and making up my own melodies. I guess the two really never came together until I was all grown up and was raising a family. I actually remember the exact moment one morning when I felt so stressed out, I just started making up this song. It probably originated as therapy, but once I got going, I realized I had all of these songs boiling inside of me that were just waiting to spill out. A short time later, my husband took the cue and went and bought me a guitar at a pawn shop. From that day on, I have pretty much become a song writing junkie.
Q How do you get ideas for songs?
A Quite frankly, they just come to me. I think of ideas for songs all the time. Some of my best ones have hit me when I was just standing at the sink doing dishes or driving around in the car. Not every song I write is autobiographical, but I definitely draw from my feelings and from my experiences when I write. I do have to admit, some of my songs are a pretty accurate reflection of my own life. But since they are songs, I may add a twist here or there.
Q What is your writing process?
A I like to joke about this , but I always say that it's a two-step process. First I tell my kids to be quiet, then I tell them to leave me alone. But seriously, the first thing that usually hits me is the title. Then once I get a chorus figured out, I make up a tune to go with it. After that it's the fun part. I always enjoy figuring out what kind of story gets to with it, and then you really get to go wild. That's the great thing about country music. The best songs are almost always just little three minute stories set to music. That's why I always try to do my best and make it a good one.
ALL RIGHT, WHO WANTS TOAST?
Q What was it like recording in Nashville?
A It happened basically like this: One day I was in my kitchen, sweaty and slobby, slinging out bowls of hot oatmeal to my four screaming kids. The next day I was in a studio on Music Row, all decked out, recording an album. Talk about surreal!! But actually it was more fun than should be allowed. I was a total rookie compared to all the people I got to work with, but they were so awesome. They made me feel right at home. But the amazing part was witnessing the music come to life. Hearing my songs transform from rough renditions performed while doing housework to professionally polished works of Nashville sound-art was as exciting as anything gets! Could I get used to that? Heck Yeah!!
Q Who are some of your musical influences?
A There are almost too many to name. I've grown up listening to every kind of music you can imagine, and I know I've been influenced by all of it. But my very rock-solid favorite has always been country. When I was nine I almost took a whoopin' for Dolly making my family listen to her 9 to 5 album a hundred times on a tape recorder during a road trip. Most of my favorite country artists are the ones who write really great songs. I tend to like the quirky, goofy stuff. I think Roger Miller was a flat-out genious, and I really like the stuff Brad Paisley comes up with these days. Just anything that cracks you up. But my biggest all time hero hands-down is Loretta Lynn. I really look up to her because when she started out, she was just a mom like me. And her songs are so honest, you know that she knows what she's singing about. To me that's powerful stuff.
Q What else have you done besides music?
A I've done all kinds of things. I've worked every job from waitressing and bartending to house painting to teaching elementary school. One of my proudest acomplishments though is managing to finish college, even after I'd had all my kids. I definitely haven't lived a dull life. But I'm really grateful for all of the experiences I've had. I think maybe it helps me as a songwriter. When I'm trying to tell a story, I usually have quite a bit to draw from.
Q What was it like growing up?
A I grew up in an old neighborhood in Oklahoma City. I was a typical ratty-haired tomboy and liked terrorizing the neighborhood with my big sister and my friends. Back then we played outside a lot. But, at a time when lots of my friends were getting video games and cable tv, about all I had to do at home was watch a 1960's black & white Zenith or play the piano. I opted to play the piano a lot. I taught myself how to play by ear and even how to use my big toe on the bass keys. Believe me, I've never lived that down!
Q What is your family life like?
A Well, it's pretty wild. Sometimes I really think I live in a mad house. When you've got this many people living under one roof, there's never a dull moment. My husband is hands-down my very best friend. There's no one that can make me laugh like he does. Also we've got quite an assortment of kids (too many to mention.) And my mom really livens things up around there too. It's so much fun though. I can't imagine living any other way.
Q What's with the album title?
A Well, I have to admit I find myself saying it from time to time. But also it satisfies two things- first, I realized that several of the songs on this album speak to the element of time, and second, I've been wanting to do this for quite a while so, hence the name.
Q What are your musical goals?
A I guess I don't really have any big goals. I'm actually just doing this because I love it, and because I almost can't help it. It's just one of those things that I feel driven to do. Also, I think it would be an honor to give a voice to working women and moms. I write from the heart when I speak for this group, and hopefully some of my songs will help women feel empowered. But ultimately I find satisfaction in making music that touches people in some way or another. Country music has always done that for me, and I guess if I can put a song out there that really hits home with someone or makes their day for whatever reason, I can't think of a better accomplishment.
OKAY EVERYBODY, GET YOUR BUTTS DOWN HERE. TIME FOR BREAKFAST!!!!
