Bonnie Bishop

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PC: When did you begin your music career? 

BB: been singing since i was young - choir, etc - and had operatic training thru high school and college...also some musical theater training. Started writing original songs in 2001 (senior yr at UT) and then started gigging out about two years ago.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

BB: Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris

PC: Where can someone get copy of your self title CD "Bonnie Bishop"?

BB:  New CD is called "Long Way Home" - Hastings, www.bonniebishop.com, www.cdbaby.com, waterloo records, bills records and tapes, cactus records, lonestarmusic.com

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

BB:  i'll usually get an idea based on how i am feeling about something, when i am overwhelmed emotionally by something i am going through or something i witness someone else going through, and i'll just start spilling my thoughts into ryhyme...eventually a melody will come to me that matches the music. i also work with rob albertson my guitar player and he comes up with great melodies and i'll have him record it and then i'll listen to it over and over in my car until i am inspired to write something

PC: Decribe what Texas music is all about to you?

BB: it's about people doing whatever they want - we have the luxury of being in a market full of music lovers. They dont' expect your music to be one thing or the other...they just want it to be good.

PC: (Texas Music artist is like one big family, everyone helps each other out)is this true?

BB: I have definitely experienced this - everyone (or almost everyone) makes instant friends and puts in a good word for you wherever they can. it's been a very accepting group of musicians.

PC: I've got two songs. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

1)"Goin' Back To Texas"

BB:  i had the idea for this song for a long time - it is about my mother. she and i are the only ones who really know the whole story, but it's about coming back home to Texas after finding yourself at the end of love.

2)"Send Me A Cowboy"

BB:  i wrote this on teh way home from Hunstville after a really bad blind date - basically i was fed up with dating and "playing the game"....it was kind of my prayer to the Lord to wait for the person that he had planned for me. what's funny about this song is that when we went in to record it, i was unhappy with the original lyrics in the verse (which were really cheesy and i have a hidden recording of them somewhere!!) so we left it off the record. two weeks later i kept thinking about it and decided to go back in to record it, but couldn't come up with anything. we had the studio scheduled so all the way up to the day we were going in to record, i was in a panic trying to come up with new lyrics. i didn't end up getting it right until i was in the car on the way to the studio - talk about a pressure situation. the first time i ever sang those lyrics was when we laid them down in the studio. i guess that song was truly meant to be - it's been the favorite among fans and radio from the beginning.

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

BB:  in the next few years i want to be on my feet financially - actually making a living and not just scraping by. i'd like to have more help so i can do more stuff - promotions, booking, etc - and i want to start a non-profit orgainization that unites artists in concerts to raise money for different causes. long term goals - i want to play my music, my way, for as long as i want to and have people love it. i want to travel the world. i want to use my talents for God's glory and bless people wherever i go.

PC: Is there anybody that you would like to perform with on stage or do a duet with?

BB: james taylor, emmy lou harris

PC: What CD would be found in your CD player right now?

BB: patty griffin's "Impossible Dream"

PC: When did you begin your music career? 

BB: been singing since i was young - choir, etc - and had operatic training thru high school and college...also some musical theater training. Started writing original songs in 2001 (senior yr at UT) and then started gigging out about two years ago.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

BB: Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris

PC: Where can someone get copy of your self title CD "Bonnie Bishop"?

BB:  New CD is called "Long Way Home" - Hastings, www.bonniebishop.com, www.cdbaby.com, waterloo records, bills records and tapes, cactus records, lonestarmusic.com

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

BB:  i'll usually get an idea based on how i am feeling about something, when i am overwhelmed emotionally by something i am going through or something i witness someone else going through, and i'll just start spilling my thoughts into ryhyme...eventually a melody will come to me that matches the music. i also work with rob albertson my guitar player and he comes up with great melodies and i'll have him record it and then i'll listen to it over and over in my car until i am inspired to write something

PC: Decribe what Texas music is all about to you?

BB: it's about people doing whatever they want - we have the luxury of being in a market full of music lovers. They dont' expect your music to be one thing or the other...they just want it to be good.

PC: (Texas Music artist is like one big family, everyone helps each other out)is this true?

BB: I have definitely experienced this - everyone (or almost everyone) makes instant friends and puts in a good word for you wherever they can. it's been a very accepting group of musicians.

PC: I've got two songs. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

1)"Goin' Back To Texas"

BB:  i had the idea for this song for a long time - it is about my mother. she and i are the only ones who really know the whole story, but it's about coming back home to Texas after finding yourself at the end of love.

2)"Send Me A Cowboy"

BB:  i wrote this on teh way home from Hunstville after a really bad blind date - basically i was fed up with dating and "playing the game"....it was kind of my prayer to the Lord to wait for the person that he had planned for me. what's funny about this song is that when we went in to record it, i was unhappy with the original lyrics in the verse (which were really cheesy and i have a hidden recording of them somewhere!!) so we left it off the record. two weeks later i kept thinking about it and decided to go back in to record it, but couldn't come up with anything. we had the studio scheduled so all the way up to the day we were going in to record, i was in a panic trying to come up with new lyrics. i didn't end up getting it right until i was in the car on the way to the studio - talk about a pressure situation. the first time i ever sang those lyrics was when we laid them down in the studio. i guess that song was truly meant to be - it's been the favorite among fans and radio from the beginning.

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

BB:  in the next few years i want to be on my feet financially - actually making a living and not just scraping by. i'd like to have more help so i can do more stuff - promotions, booking, etc - and i want to start a non-profit orgainization that unites artists in concerts to raise money for different causes. long term goals - i want to play my music, my way, for as long as i want to and have people love it. i want to travel the world. i want to use my talents for God's glory and bless people wherever i go.

PC: Is there anybody that you would like to perform with on stage or do a duet with?

BB: james taylor, emmy lou harris

PC: What CD would be found in your CD player right now?

BB: patty griffin's "Impossible Dream"

PC: When did you begin your music career?

CK: I SIGNED A WRITER'S DEAL WITH BLUEWATER MUSIC CORPORATION IN 1994. QUIT MY JOB AND STARTED WRITING FULL TIME.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

CK: THE 70'S SINGER SONG WRITERS LIKE JOHN PRINE AND JACKSON BROWN. "RUNNING ON EMPTY" IS PRETTY CLOSE TO MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ALBUM. I LISTENED TO A LOT OF GOOD MUSIC BACK THEN. MY OLDEST BROTHER HAD A GOOD STEREO AND A LOT OF ALBUMS LIKE THE STONES, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, ZZ TOP, JJ CALE. THE EARLIEST STUFF WAS HANK WILLIAMS AND ONE ALBUM IN PARTICULAR THAT I WORE OUT WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12 WAS "EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY" BY ROD STEWART. POP AND ROCK RADIO WAS REAL GOOD IN THE LATE 60'S AND 70'S, SO I GOT A LOT OF INFLUENCE RIGHT OFF THE RADIO. STEVE EARLE HAD A BIG IMPACT ON ME WHEN GUITAR TOWN CAME OUT IN '86

PC: How do you think "The Jealous Kind" differs from the previous album's "A Pretty Good Guy" & your self title "Chris Knight"?

CK: THE SONGS AREN'T AS VIOLENT OR INTENSE OR AS PERSONAL AS THE PRETTY GOOD GUY ALBUM. I DON'T THINK I'VE SCARED AS MANY PEOPLE THIS TIME AROUND. I'D COMPARE IT MORE TO THE CHRIS KNIGHT ALBUM.

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

CK: I SIT DOWN WITH A GUITAR AND START HUMMING A TUNE SOMETIMES. THEN I'LL START THROWING IN A FEW LINES. IF I'VE GOT AN IDEA TO START WITH I'LL USUALLY COME UP WITH A FIRST LINE PRETTY QUICK. SOMETIMES I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SOMETHING HITS ME. I WROTE MOST OF BECKY'S BIBLE, HARD CANDY AND WILLIAM LIKE THAT. IF I WERE YOU, I WROTE IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN MY CAR. ALSO, I CO-WRITE A GOOD BIT AND WE JUST GO TO WORK ON IT.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

CK: BECKY'S BIBLE AND HARD CANDY. DON'T KNOW WHY REALLY EXCEPT THE CHARACTERS ARE REAL INTERESTING TO ME.

PC: I've got five songs.If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

"It Ain't Easy Being Me"

CK: I HAD THE MELODY AND THE FIRST TWO LINES AND PLAYED IT FOR CRAIG WISEMAN. WE FINISHED IT IN A COUPLE OF SESSIONS.

"Love And A .45"

CK: A GUY WHO USED TO WORK AT BLUEWATER TOLD ME I OUGHT TO WRITE A SONG CALLED LOVE AND A .45. HE'D SEEN A MOVIE BY THAT NAME. WROTE IT WITH FRED EAGLESMITH.

"Oil Patch Town"

CK: ME AND DAVID LEONE WANTED TO WRITE A MORE UPTEMPO SONG THAT DAY.THAT SONGS ABOUT ME AND MY FRIENDS I GREW UP AND RAN AROUND WITH. IT'S ABOUT SEBREE, KENTUCKY, 1976.

"She Couldn't Chang Me"

CK: I HAD "SHE CHANGED HER MIND WHEN SHE COULDN'T CHANGE ME". I WAS THINKING OF A HEARTBREAK SONG. GARY NICHOLSON FIGURED OUT HOW TO TWIST IT INTO A MORE POSITIVE STORY. IT'S A FAIRLY COMMON STORY. MY WIFE'S STILL TRYING TO CHANGE ME.

"The Jealous Kind"

CK: HEARD JOHN BOY AND BILLY ON THE RADIO ONE MORNING TALKING ABOUT A LETTER FROM MARIA. I WAS ON MY WAY TO NASHVILLE TO WRITE WITH GARY WHEN I HEARD IT. GOT DOWN THERE AND GRABBED A GUITAR AND SANG I GOT A LETTER FROM MARIA AND GARY SANG HER ENGLISH AIN'T THAT GOOD AND WE WENT TO WORK ON IT.

PC: If you could do a duet with anyone, who would it be?

CK: I'LL PASS ON THAT ONE.

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

CK: I'LL JUST KEEP GOING THE WAY I'M HEADED. THE CROWDS GET BETTER ALL THE TIME AND I WANT THAT TO CONTINUE. I WANT TO KEEP MAKING MUSIC THAT'S WORTH SOMETHING. I'D LIKE TO KEEP GETTING CUTS WITH OTHER ARTISTS. ANOTHER HIT WOULD BE REAL NICE. ALSO MORE AIRPLAY IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARD. THAT MAKES THE WHOLE DEAL WORK BETTER. JUST WANT TO KEEP BUILDING ON WHAT I'M DOING. THE GOAL IS BIGGER AND BETTER WITHOUT COMPROMISING MYSELF TOO MUCH.

PC: What's your fondest career memory so far?

CK: LAST NIGHT IN AUBURN, ALABAMA. BUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO IT WAS A SHOW I DID AT 3RD AND LINDSLEY IN NASHVILLE. A GOOD CROWD MAKES YOU FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING UP THERE. IN A FEW DAYS IT'LL BE SOME SHOW I DID IN TEXAS.

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it's acoustic or electric?

CK: IT WORKS FOR ME EITHER WAY.

PC: When did you begin your music career?

CM: 1993

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

CM: Robert Earl Keen, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Guy Clark

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

CM: Wait to be inspired. I usually write the music and add the words later.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

CM: "Always And Forever" - It just says everything about love to me. " Restless Girl" - It's my new one and it rocks.

PC: I've got five songs.If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

"Just Like You"

CM: I wanted my grandfather to know how I felt about him.

"21 Days"

CM: Started playing for weeks at a time and it just seemed appropriate.

"Gtmo Blues"

CM: Self explanatory I hope.

"Songwriter's Lament"

CM: I was making fun of myself

"The Highway"

CM: I like to drive fast

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

CM: I want to be as high as I can get. I want to have videos and all the success in the world.

PC: What's your fondest career memory so far?

CM: The first time I sold out a venue. It was Gruene Hall.

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it's acoustic or electric?

CM: I love both for different reasons.

PC: Decribe what Texas music is all about to you?

CM: Good folks writing about their points of view on all aspects of life.

PC: When you are on the road, what CD's would be found in your CD player?

CM: Jet, Rodney Crowell, Merle, Springsteen.

PC: When did Cross Canadian Ragweed begin their music career?

CC: We started playing as a band while we were still in high school, but I wouldn't have called it a career at that point. We all quit our jobs and went full time with music right after my accident in 1998.

PC: Who are Cross Canadian Ragweed's main musical influences?

CC: Man, it's hard to say who has had the main influence because there have been so many. Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Willie, Steve Earle, Todd Snider, George Strait...to the rock guys like STP, Pearl Jam, Petty, Dylan - that's an impossible question. There are artists who influence us everyday.

PC: How do you think "Soul Gravy" differs from the previous album's "Purple","Highway 377" & "Carney"?

CC: It's a growing process. I feel that Soul Gravy is more mature musically. We hadn't found our style yet when we recorded Carney. Our sound has evolved through each record.

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

CC: There's no routine. Something happens that moves me or catches my attention and my way of expressing it is by writing it down.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

CC: Another tough question. Johnny's Song because it's for Randy's Dad. Long Way Home because of mine. Of course the songs I write for my wife. On A Cloud has impacted a lot of people. They're all different.

PC: I've got four songs. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

"Constantly"

CC: Obviously this song was written about the relationship I have with my wife. We just work together; things are great.

"42 Miles"

CC: We were on our way to play a gig in Amarillo and we stopped to change drivers. I never drove the van because I'm not real good at it. As soon as I started to pull out of the gas station the axle on the trailer broke. We were stuck in Groom, TX - in the middle of nowhere. We called the Cooder Graw guys and they came to the rescue with a UHaul, but we had a lot of time sitting around so we wrote a song about it. We were exactly 42 miles from Amarillo.

"Lonely Girl"

CC: My sister, Shelby, was going through some difficult times. She and I have a close relationship and talk a lot. This song came from that.

"Sick And Tired"

CC: Shelby again. She's actually Shannon's sister, but I hate the in-law label. We were trying to get her to move from California, where they're from, to Texas with us. The song is the story of what she was going through - she's been with us in Texas for a couple years now.

PC: Is there anybody that you would like to perform with on stage or do a duet with?

CC: There's always Willie, we've been lucky enough to do it a couple times, but it's always an honor. Steve Earle, Neil Young would be cool.

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

CC: We just want to keep playing music. We hope to be touring - playing live until we can't stand anymore.

PC: How do you think the "Texas & Red Dirt Music" scene has changed in the past couple of years and where do you see it going?

CC: It's become a tighter group of folks. The musicians are all like family. I hope it breaks out and has the chance to change what's the norm in Nashville.

PC: What CD would be found in your CD player right now?

CC: The Lost Trailers new one.

PC: Here is a question that a few fans have been wondering about,have you guys gotten your names up on the water tower in Yukon,OK yet?

CC: No, we've kind of given up on that. We're happy where we are. We don't need recognition from people who never believed.

PC:  When did you begin your music career?

DD: I grew up in a musical family. I started playing guitar at  6 and progressed to other instruments as the years went by. My first paying gig was playing guitar for a quartet called The Sunshine Boys when I was 15, and I’ve played ever since.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

DD: Merle, Willie, Buck Owens, George Jones, Hank Jr., Ricky Skaggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

PC: How do you think “Stronger Proof” differs from the previous album’s?

DD: Stronger Proof is more true to all my influences. It has no limitations on how rockin’ or how country we made each track. I produced and paid for the project with no outside help or influence. This made  it easy for us to create the sound.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written or recorded that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

DD: “Things Are Fixin….” Just because the story is true. It dealt  with the last decade of my life, moving back to Texas and about staying positive. “That’s How I Got To Memphis” which was written by Tom T. Hall has become my signature song. It was my first hit that was played all across the country. It also gave me a chance to show respect to the legacy of country music.

PC: I’ve got three songs. If you don’t mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what  was going on at the time?

1} “ Things Are Fixin’…..”

DD: It is about my life in Nashville and how staying true to myself didn’t make me very popular with my label at that time. But it has been a key to my new start here in Texas.

2} “ Stronger Proof”

DD: My friend Brett Beaver and I knew a guy who was living the story of the song. We used the words “Stronger Proof” to mean two different things.

3} “Pearl Snaps”

DD: I’ve worn this style of shirts all my life. My grandfather, uncles and family friends all wore them. It represents small town life. Since they have become the hip thing I thought it would be cool to show talk about there easy access  and how the girls love it. And there you have it.

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it’s acoustic or electric?

DD: I assume you are talking about shows, whether full band or by myself. They both have their benefits. I think for a four piece band we are a strong, strong act. Doing acoustic shows allows people to just focus on the lyrics and I have a chance to do songs not in the full band show.

PC: What’s your fondest career memory so far?

DD: Singing “That’s How I Got To Memphis” with Tom T. Hall at his house at a legendary award party.

PC: Is there anybody that you would like to perform with on stage or do a duet with?

DD: Tom Petty.

PC: If not for music, what would you be doing for a career?

DD: Coaching Football.

PC: What CD would we find in your CD player right now?

DD: The new Ray Charles soundtrack. 

Home: New Braunfels, TX

Birth Date: 3/11/80 

Instruments: Guitar 

Favorite Get Away: the mountains of Virginia 

Favorite Sport: Baseball 

PC: When did you begin your music career? 

DK: My sophomore year at Hampden-Sydney College... which would be 2000 I think. 

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

DK: Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Whiskeytown, Wilco, Gram Parsons, Jack Ingram 

PC: Where can someone get a copy of your CD?

DK: through my website-  www.drewkennedymusic.com or at www.lonestarmusic.com 

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written or recorded that  you are most proud of, what would they be and why? 

DK: I think Goodnight Mississippi is my favorite song that I have recorded to date for various reasons-- I love the feel of it on my record, and I never get tired of what I was trying to say with the words... but as far as songwriting goes, I think I'm most proud of some of my new songs that I'll  be recording for my next album. I'm a sucker for the slow ones... all of  my favorite songs are slow songs, and it seems that all of my favorite songs that I write are slow songs too... which is odd... I think I'm a pretty upbeat person. 

PC: Where would you like to be in five years? 

DK: Making good music and writing good songs... I would love to be in a position where I can start my own label. I hear so many incredible  songwriters that fly under the radar... they deserve a fair shake at getting their stuff out there, and I'd like to be able to help them with that. Maybe splitting my time between living in Texas and living in Virginia. 

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it's acoustic or electric? 

DK: Acoustic. Always acoustic. It's fun to play a big, loud show in front of a bunch of people... and the energy you get from a show like that can't be matched... but a song isn't a song without the words. Someone once told me that Americana is the Thinkin' Man's Country Music. I liked that. I like to give people a chance to hear the words. I'll never pass at the chance to sit in front of a room full of people with just my songs and my guitar. 

PC: What's your fondest career memory so far? 

DK: Playing with Pat Green at my alma matter. I recently played a packed show with Peter Dawson in Raleigh, NC that was fantastic. Great room and great people in the crowd. 

PC: If you could do a duet with anyone who would that be and why? 

DK: Alison Krauss-I think she has the best voice in the world. I'd love to write with John Mayer or Chris Knight. see what we could come up with. 

PC: If not for music, what would you be doing as a career? 

DK: Circus Clown. Hell, I don't know. I'd like to think I'd be trying to get my foot in the door to teach history at a college somewhere... but I really don't know. If there is a university out there looking for a visiting professor of country music, please call me. 

PC: What CD would be found in your CD player right now? 

DK: I have a 3 disc changer-- right now its Charlie Robison- Good Times, Kathleen Edwards- Failer, Scott Miller- Upside / Downside.

PC: Who are some of your musical influences?

DM: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen, Jack Kerouac, & George Patton.

PC: What age where you,when you first started playin a guitar?

DM: 21, I think, I like to think of myself not so much of a guitar player but a reformed drummer.

PC: In your CD player right now,what CD would be found?

DM: Fred Eaglesmith's "Ralph's Last Show"

PC: If you could do a duet with someone who would that be and why?

DM: Willie, Period. If I have to explain why, you wouldn't understand anyway.

PC: Do you classify your music in the same genre as Robert Earl Keen & Pat Green?

DM: Sure, it's all country to me.

PC: What are some of your favorite places that you have performed?

DM: Any place with a history is great, I find that the crowd is more important than the room.

PC: When did you begin your music career?

Ed: I began my music career about 13 years ago.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

Ed: I have many but as far as songwritters Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Clay Blaker and Doug Sahm to name a few.

PC: How do you think "The Cold Hard Truth" differs from the previous albums "My Perfect World" & "Comin' Around"?

Ed: It has more of an acoustic feel but not so much that it takes away from my original style.

PC: What approach do you take when writing your songs? Do you have any specific routine?

Ed: No specific routine.  Some song ideas just come and others I really have to work at.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

Ed: Each song holds a special place but for the most part I am proud of all of my songs.

PC: I've got four songs. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could go over how they came about or what was going at the time.

"Wide Open Spaces"

Ed: This song is about me living out in the open most of my childhood and then having to move to the suburbs.

"The Can"

Ed: This was the first song I ever wrote.  I really had nothing specific in mind other than trying to get that first song down on paper.

"The Cold Hard Truth"

Ed: This song was from a personal experience.

"Staring Out The Window"

Ed: This is one of those songs that came to me out of nowhere.

PC: Where do you want to be in the next few years with your music career? Any long term goals?

Ed: I have no fancy answer for ya,  I enjoy what I do and hope others like what they hear.  My long term goal is to go as far with my music as it will take me and enjoy the ride along the way.

PC: What's your fondest career memory so far?

Ed: I would have to say My Perfect World CD Release Party.  This was the last time I played with Doug Sahm before he passed on.

PC: Describe what Texas music is all about to you?

Ed: My opinion is a big mix of all styles of music with no rules.(Muisc Gumbo)

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it's acoustic or electric?

Ed: No preference as long as it's big, fat, and tasty!