During the road of the Texas Music Awards, I encountered another group that deserves special mention, Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream On Mondays is Texas’s Ambassador to the world with concerts in North America and Europe.

Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream On Mondays have been nominated for the Texas Music Awards in the category of Vocal Duo or Group of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Ms. Peters took time from her schedule to talk with me.

1. Where were you born and how did you get started in your musical career?
I was born in Dallas, Texas.  I got started in music kind of by chance – I grew up singing in choir and playing in band, but I didn’t learn the acoustic guitar until after college, and I sort of fell into performing, mainly from friends pestering me to get over my stage fright.

 
2. What have been your musical influences and how were you able to use them to form your own style of  music?
I listen to everything that has good lyrics.  That’s kind of my main music criteria – if I can relate to the words, then I can really make a connection to the song, and I try to write with the lyrics in mind.  

 
3. How did Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream On Mondays  start?
I was living in Italy in the summer of 2004 and met Manuel, Alberto, and Juri, who were already a band – they had been in bands together for years – and we were introduced by a mutual friend.  We hit it off and began playing together almost immediately.

 
4. Who came up with the idea of «Sweetheart Keep Your Chin Up»?
Well, I wrote the song, but for a while it was called «Misunderstood» and wasn’t necessarily the title track…. it just sort of became obvious as the record progressed that it was sort of the thematic centerpiece of the record.

 
5. You have toured Europe and North America. Which area of the world has been more receptive to your music?
Both, in different ways.  In Europe, there’s a lot of respect for the American singer/songwriter tradition, which is great, but I love playing at home too.  Mainly I just look for audiences that really get the lyrics.

 
6. What is your inspiration to write music?
It’s just part of who I am.   I’ve always loved to sing, always loved to write poetry and prose and short stories, and when I meshed the two worlds, I found something that I really love to do, and that’s a wonderful feeling.

 
7. What was your reaction when you received the news about being nominated for the TMA?
I was thrilled – I am very proud of our latest record and it’s great to be recognized by fellow artists and musicians for your work.

 
8. Which is more difficult in music: the verses or the melody?
I usually write them hand-in-hand, but if I don’t, then the melody is harder to come by after the lyrics are already written.

 
9. What is your recommendation for thiose who want to follow in your footsteps?
Be prepared to work your butt off.  It’s so much more work than anyone can prepare you for.

 
10. Where can people buy your album?
MyTexasMusic.com is a great place to start!  Otherwise there’s also iTunes, or my website, or CD Baby.

Thank you Vanessa for your valuable time. My best wishes to you in the TMAs