Here is your chance to ask Jim questions about his music! He will choose questions periodically and answer them here on this page. While Jim can't answer every question, it means a great deal to him that you take the time to send your inquiries as well as your support and all of the sincere good wishes.
Keep checking this page for the latest Q and A's!Submit your questions here!
I think the first time I met Stephen was when he was the Master of Ceremonies at an "NAS" (National Academy of Songwriters) event ages ago (probably 10 years ago?) We hung out at various songwriter events over the years, then when he was putting together his "Songs in the Rough" coffee table book (an amazing compilation of rough drafts of tons of classic songs) I worked on getting him in contact with my friend Lionel Richie. We started hanging out more, and he was kind enough to lend his dolcet tones to 2 of my CDs. (He sang on "Donna Lynn" on the CD and PBS special "Cape of Good Hope" and on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on "My First Christmas With You".) I've always been a fan of his, so I was really honored to have him on my CDs. ... Cut to last year when he asked me if I wanted to play keyboards with him on a few concerts he had coming up. He said he listens to my first 2 CDs all the time and loves my piano playing. I thought it would be a hoot and said "why not?" Stephen has become one of my best friends over the years and it's been a blast playing gigs with him. We went to Japan last year and recently performed at the Greek Theater (playing for 7,000 people, opening for the Moody Blues!) ... Thanks for asking!
You refer to blue roses in your dedication of Laura's World. What do blue roses mean to you? -- VB
That's a reference to the Tennessee Williams' play, "Glass Menagerie". The character Laura was given the nickname "Blue Roses," when a boy misheard her when she told him that she had been ill with an attack of pleurosis. I'd read the play ages ago and was very moved by its message: it's really only fear that cripples us (if we let it), and we have to be willing to take chances if we want to grow. Thanks for the question!
I used to play the piano a great deal until about 15 years ago when my professional and private life took priority. I'd like to get back into playing again and learn to improvise in a contemporary music style. How should I approach my practice sessions? My style used to span from classical, to blues and rock and roll. -- Ed
How great that you're getting back into playing piano. It sounds like you have a pretty varied foundation, so hopefully, it won't be too hard to dust off the talents you've developed and get playing again. As far as how to approach the practice, I'm the worst guy to ask! Typically, I'll get inspired by a new composition and that begins the whole process. Ideally, we're drawn to the piano and playing/practicing is just something you do because you really want to, not because you have to. If I'm stuck, I find that just doing 10 minutes of technique exercises will start the fire for me and I find myself having done an hour or two of playing after that. ...Good luck!
I play the piano myself but I don't write music. Was it hard to write your own music?
I feel very blessed in that most of my best songs come when there's hardly any effort to them at all. On more than one ocassion, melodies have come to me in dreams. Other times, I'll be sitting reading the newspaper and realize that the melody that's been going over and over in my head is one that I'd apparently been writing for the past 10 minutes! ...It's been said that a writer is a reader moved to emulation. The same is true about songwriting. The best results come from pursuing music for the love of it.
Would you ever consider making a music video with your songs? -- Cathy W.
Actually, I do have close to a dozen "Performance Videos" that I produced with my buddy Mike Bundlie. They are evocative montages coordinated with the music that get projected above and behind me when I perform. I think they add a cool dimension and crowds really respond favorably to them.
Can't say enough about how I enjoy your music. I am a 44 year
old who has been taking piano lessons for four years and would
like to try some of your music. Do you have or have plans to
release sheet music for your albums? Thanks -- Philip Z
Funny you should ask. We're just now putting
the finishing touches on the transcriptions of the music for
both songbooks ("The Northern Seascape Collection"
and "The Cape of Good Hope" Collection). They should
be available here on the site (and at selected music stores)
by April 2002. We'll add your email address to the list and
will keep you posted on their availability. Thanks!
Can
you tell us a bit about the vocalist on "Cape of Good Hope",
"Discovery" and "Picasso's Midnight Stroll"?
Her voice is exquisite. Does she have any CDs of her own? --
Claire
The vocalist you're referring to is Casey
Stratton, and yes Casey has an awesome voice. Now for the soap
opera surprize... Believe it or not, Casey is a guy. He just
so happens to have an amazing soprano voice. He's been snatched
up by Carnie Wilson for her projects. Also, I believe he's working
on a solo album (I'm sure you can do a search on his name at
yahoo.com or something and find out). Very talented lad indeed.
I
am very much enjoying Cape of Good Hope... Is there one
particular song that you feel closest to? If so, Which one would
that be and can you share your reasons? -- Cathy W.
That's a hard one. I particularly enjoy
playing the title track because of its optimism and grandeur.
"Discovery" is just fun to play. I loved bringing
"Picasso's Midnight Stroll" to life-- it was the most
complex, layered piece I'd ever produced and I love what Dan
contributed. But being the maudlin sap that I am, I love the
sentiment of "Home in the Heartland" -- the tribute
to my Texas roots.
Is
there a specific pattern to the way your creative process works
or does it vary? -- Anne T.
God, I wish I had
a handle on that. It does seem to vary quite a bit. For the
most part, I'm happy to say that most of my songs come to me
when I'm doing something else. On more than one occasion, I'll
be reading something and realize that for the last 10 minutes
I've been working on a melody in my head without even thinking
about it. I've had about a half dozen melodies come to me in
dreams, which is always a great surprise.
Are you currently working on a new project? -- Madeline D
Right now, I'm mainly in composing mode.
I'm really happy with the new tunes and can't wait to record
and produce them!
What three
adjectives would you use to describe yourself?-- Monica G.
Intelijent, braney, and, uh.... intelijent.
Also, like, really, really braney.
So
what's playing in your CD player right now? -- Laurie
Actually, the CD I'm listening to is one
called "One Heart" given to me by my friend J.D. Martin.
J.D.'s a great songwriter who finally released his first record.
Very heartfelt effort. Very well written songs/ good messages.
Here's his link if you're interested... (www.jdmartin.ws)