Rockin' Moms Featured Artist Interveiw
with Alana Bridgewater

On being a Rockin' Mom...

RM: How many children do your have and what are their ages?

AB: I have one 13 year old daughter named Tanisha

RM: Did you perform/write music before you were a mom?

AB: I wrote and performed music throughout high school. I co-wrote a musical called "Woman In Chains". It won an ensemble award in Toronto's Sears Festival.


RM: How has motherhood enriched your music and affected your career?

AB: I had my daughter in University. I was still very young and had yet to experience some of the things I wrote about. After I had my daughter, I truly learned about love and loss, fear and responsibility. It made me vulnerable and i learned to tell a story. My career objectives never changed. I knew that even though I would be a single mother, in what is considered an unstable industry, living my dream would show my daughter that all things are possible. Now that she's entering high school, I am dedicated to having her succeed which means cutting down on touring.

RM: Do you bring your children to see you perform?

AB: My daughter not only comes to many of my concerts, she tends to volunteer. She sells my CDs or sells raffle tickets at Charity events. Volunteering gives youth a sense of purpose. Now that she's older, I pay her to operate the amps, check microphones and set up my Macbook.

RM: How have you made time to balance both careers?

AB: I try to balance both careers by making time for my daughter when I have a break and including her when I can in my musical journey. It can get pretty crazy. Tanisha was singing in the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus, taking piano lessons and representing her school in volleyball and W5H. At one point, something had to give and the chorus was a victim of our busy schedules. It's hard to let things go and know that your child is making sacrifices so that you can sleep. We support each other.

RM: Any challenges (i.e. practice time, touring, babysitting, budget) you’d like to share?

AB: It's very difficult to balance both careers sometimes. I feel that I miss out on many aspect of her life. When I was doing a musical, the time commitment was strenuous. I worked eight shows a week, was never home for homework and Tanisha relied solely on my mom. God blessed Grandmas! For my part, I'm active in her school life. I volunteer in the daytime and this year I am starting a musical theatre program for the intermediate students at her school. We also take a mother daughter trip to regroup reflect and reconnect. It brings us closer each time.

MUSIC CAREER HISTORY...

RM: When did you become interested in music?

AB:I started to sing in the Opera chorus when I was 11. At that point I knew I wanted to sing for the rest of my life.

RM: Was there anyone who inspired or influenced you to pursue a career as a musician/performer?

AB: I was inspired by Whitney Houston. I was 11 when she came out with her first album. I remember telling my father I was going to be a singer and he told me no child of his was going to sing. I didn't talk to him again until I was 16. As an adult, he eventually accepted my career choice before he passed away.
Another influence is my sister Shani, she danced for Martha and the Muffins and was friends with Lorraine Segato (of the Parachute Club) who was instrumental in pushing me to perform at a young age.

RM: What project/CD are you most proud of?

AB: I am most proud of The Gospel Christmas Project. This project was a series of concerts, a television special and culminated into a CD. The experience I had with Jackie Richardson, Kellylee Evans and The Faith Chorale is one I'll take with me for the rest of my days.

RM: What do you love about this career?

AB: I love the constant change. I love the audiences. I love learning new instruments and writing new songs. I love the musicians. I love the passion I feel every time I open my mouth and release my voice.

RM: Do you have any advice/suggestions/tips for other Rockin’ Moms?

AB: Keep writing, keep learning and allow your children to see you living your dreams. Include them in the decision making process. Let them feel as though they are a part of the magic.

Another great thing is trade service. Find other rockin moms who are willing to teach piano in exchange for you teaching guitar. You can save a lot of money with a major reward for your children.

RM: Where do you see yourself a year from now?

AB: I see myself back in the studio writing an even stronger CD. I have some tough decisions to make this year as my daughter wants to enter a film studies program for high school. I am considering moving to Vancouver. I want to commit to giving her some stability for her high school years. I guess we'll see what this year brings.

9/03/2009

Rockin' Moms Showcase and Workshop
at the Indiegrrl Women in the Arts Conference 2009
Nashville, TN

ON BEING A ROCKIN' MOM

RM: How many children do your have and what are their ages?
MP: I have four children- Russell-12, Ivy-10, Elliott-7 and Samwise-4

RM: Did you perform/write music before you were a mom?
MP: I have been performing music since I was ten,("Tomorrow" from Annie being my debut).  I started writing and performing my own music it when I was thirteen. I was in an acoustic quartet as a teenager and toured solo in my early twenties.

RM: How has motherhood enriched your music and affected your career?
MP: Motherhood builds my character and gives me substance as a human, which makes me a better writer. Motherhood is also a totally humbling vocation, it keeps my feet on the ground and my head from swelling.  Motherhood has affected my career because it affects my decisions.  It affects what I will say yes to gig-wise (morning always comes...). I also think that the fact that there are 4 little beings depending on me makes me try harder and take my music more seriously.

RM: Do you bring your children to see you perform?
MP: In the last year I have been experimenting with bringing them on tours with me.  We bring school work and a drummer who doubles as a nanny.  We have also taken to incorporating them into the show.  You can see three of them perform with us in this video of "Green" I love not having to be away from them for weeks at a time.



RM: How have you made time to balance both careers?
MP: This is the endless struggle, keeping the balance.  I am a multi-tasker which has proven essential.  However, my kids start to suffer if I work at home too much.  Setting aside office time away from home each week helps to keep the work from infiltrating our lives. Planning for family fun days on tour helps us keep some balance as well.

MUSIC CAREER HISTORY

RM: At what age did you become interested in music?
MP: My parents are both musicians and at the time of my birth, my dad was a famous Canadian folk musician.  I was fed a steady diet of Crosby Stills & Nash, Olivia Newton John and the Eagles from conception. I watched my dad perform from a really early age and wanted to do exactly that.  I started singing, taking voice, piano and guitar as a child and practiced my Grammy acceptance speech regularly.

RM: What is your role in your band?
MP: Both my husband, Barry, and I are songwriters.  When we perform together, I sing and play guitar, piano and accordion.

RM: Was there anyone who inspired or influenced you to pursue a career as a musician/ performer?
MP: On the home front, my parents spied unusual talent in me and gave me every opportunity to explore it.  About the time I chose music for a career, Shawn Colvin, The Indigo Girls and Tori Amos were my inspiration. My good friend Ben Pasley (www.entertheworshipcircle.com) gave me the final push to do music and only music.

RM: What project/CD are you most proud of?
MP: The cd Barry and I released together last year, "Long, Straight, Uphill Climb" is our best to date.  It is our most focused message yet and has
slick production we are proud of.

Listen to tracks from the CD>

RM: What performances have you enjoyed the most?
MP: I enjoy the environments where I am allowed to talk.  All of my songs have stories and I adore an audience that wants to interact on that level.  Sometimes an audience of hundreds will offer that rapport, but more often than not, the singer-songwriter atmosphere of a house concert sets that up for me. As for venues, Eddie's Attic in Georgia is my fav.

RM: From your experience what qualities do you think an aspiring artist should have today to succeed in this industry?
MP: First and foremost, the ability to receive correction and advice.  Artist ego can keep you from learning and moving to the next level. Don't be so precious about your art.  Secondly, you have to adopt an innovative approach to marketing.  What worked ten years ago doesn't work today.  Get cyber-savvy, like now and experiment. Lastly, keep redefining success.  If you have this elusive dream of what success for you would be, you may miss the truly fulfilling successes along the way.  Be present in your endeavors and soak up the value of them as they are right now.  If someone at a small
house show approaches me to tell me how much a song of mine meant to them, I have succeeded. Don't get me wrong, I still actively pursue larger scale successes, but I am not unhappy in the meantime.

RM: What do you love about this career?
MP: I love meeting new people.  I love the art of music.  I love that I have a career I can include my children in. 

RM: Any advice/suggestions/tips for other Rockin' Moms?
MP: Never put off developing yourself as an artist until your babies are "bigger".  Even though there are seasons where the bambinos suck up all the energy (literally), if there is an artist inside of you and you neglect her for too long, you will feel a longing that mothering can't meet.  Vice versa, if you are able to set aside time to cultivate your art, you become a more satisfied, balanced mama.

RM: Where do you see yourself a year from now?
MP: A year from now, I hope to have recorded my first solo project in 17 years.  I hope to be on tour with the live artist, Rebecca Thornberry, who is currently painting a piece for every track.

>Visit Barry and Michelle's Website

Thank you! I really enjoyed and needed to read this for inspiration at this stage with my young babies!
–Tiffany Petrossi, Singer-Songwriter. Mother of four and Rockin' Moms Founder.

Would you like to refer someone to be featured on our site?
Email tiffany@rockinmoms.com .
 

2009 Rockin' Moms Song Conest Winners


Stacy Duvall and son holding $1000.00 check, guitar, strings and strap!

1st Place
Song: “Superman”
Lyrics: "Superman"
Songwriter: Stacy Duvall
Hometown: Spearfish, South Dakota
>more about Stacy

2nd Place
Song: “Mary, Mary”
Lyrics:, "Mary Mary"
Songwriter: Holly Figueroa O’Reilly
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
>more

3rd Place
Song: “The Kids Are Finally Asleep”
Lyrics: "The Kids Are Finally Asleep"
Songwriter: Sue Fabisch
Hometown: Nolensville, Tennessee
>more

Honorable Mentions
*read artists notes

“Wife and A Mother” by Arlene Kole
-Los Angeles, CA

“Diary of Your Heart” by Joy and Lara
- NSW, Australia

“Another Love Song” by Chad Lore
-Casper, Wyoming

“Hello World” by Danielle Cales
-Valparaiso, Indiana

“Longer” by Beth McDonald
-Maryland

“American Mom” by Edwin Booth
-Redondo Beach, California

“I Just Can’t Help but Love You Baby”
by Karen Potje
-Quebec, Canada

“Sweetest Heart” by Debra Alt
-Lyne, Connecticut

”You Help Me”
by Toucanz Tree
- NSW, Australia

“Change The Picture”
by Linq
-Royalston, Massachusetts 

We are always looking for more music from our members to play!
submit online>

Listen to the show on itunes 24/7 search for "Rockin' Moms" or also listen and download show at www.rockinmomspodcast.com  

>Back to the top

Karen delivers a delightful collection of songs for bleary-eyed parents, disgruntled babies, and brainy big brothers and sisters. Karen’s warm voice and captivating lyrics are backed by some of Montreal’s best jazz men. Country/jazz, with a bit of rock ‘n roll and cha cha thrown in for fun.

Listen to her song, "Can't Help but Love You, Baby" >

View her Rockin' Moms Profile>

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We feature a Rockin' Mom member
each month! Submit online> 

Eva
A Rockin' Mom of twins from
Detroit, Michigan

Eva's original and energetic soul is expressed in music. A mix of music she grew up on and explores, a mix of R&B, house, hip hop, dance and club. Elements of ethnic sounds and classical training give EVA an original flavor that translates internationally.

Featured Song: Crazy Love (Album Version )

Artist Information

Eva aka EvaSoul

Artist: EVA Feat. Klubjumpers and Technotrek
Label: Bitty Blip Music
DSM/Warner Chappell Music

This release featuring the sounds along the lines of pop, trance, house, techno, electric, dance and club has been a staple and No. 1 on numerous internet radio stations and a DJ favorite worldwide. Eva's songs "That Thing I Do" and "Intangible Dream" were also featured on the TV soap opera “All My Children” on Episode’s 9686 and 9727 - on the ABC Network and the Soap Channel -

In addtition, "That Thing I Do" is being featured by the Hussies, a group of women romance novelists, as the feature song in their promotional video that they will be using during a convention this month being held at the Pittsburg Hilton, visit www.hussies.org for great Romance novels…

Eva’s has been involved in film projects such as the movie “Life Goes On” (Planet Four Films) starring Obie Trice . Eva’s music performances include, (Detroit, MI) Club Sevin, Club Rain, Club Bleu (aired on local Detroit television), Silkies, The Limit Lounge, Hot Rock and Greektown Casino. EVA's performance at the Soul Cafe in Manhattan, NY was a smash as she tested new original material and did a rendition of "Fallin" with the band; it was off the hook! EVA has also performed with Rap Artist SAINT at Club Cheetah in Manhattan, New York. EVA has been lending her vocals to many hip hop projects while in Detroit.

In 2008, the new year holds many new and exciting releases. the newest "You're All I Need" signed to Aural Recordings, stayed tuned for this and several other exciting new and amazing projects.

Website: www.cdbaby.com/evatunes or download anywhere worldwide: itunes, napster, etc.

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We feature a Rockin' Mom member
each month! Submit online>

Archive

March 2009 Issue

Artist Name: Liata
Album Title: Intermezzo

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.liata.net

Where to buy? From Liata's website>

Reviewed by Tiffany Petrossi, Founder of Rockin' Moms

Review:

Words cannot convey the beauty and grace that Rossanna D Agnillo’s vocals bring to every track on this album. I found this new CD, Intermezzo by the talented trio, Liata to be both very pleasant and yet also provoking to listen to.

The 16 tracks from the Romantic Era are sung in their original languages but are uniquely stamped by Liata’s own arrangements and finesse. One is swept away with each piece as it takes us into the world of that time. The musicians who contributed to this album are worth noting especially, Lynne Cerro who created orchestral arrangements, back up vocals and on the piano. This music is not for the fast pace of quick modern day but rather should be taken in and allowed to penetrate your senses.

Rosanna D'Agnillo is a Rockin' Moms member and mother of two children.