Deann Rene is another example of the latest stars from Texas to grace the world with their music. I invited Deann Rene to be interviewed and she accepted. The rest was one of the greatest interviews with one the Angels of Texas Music.

 

1. What made you decide that you wanted to be in the music business?

I have always wanted to sing and perform. It is my dream from childhood. I spent my life dreaming about it and finding opportunities to sing at weddings or corporate events or anything I could possibly think of. In the mean time, I went to school, got married, had a son and thought my dream was unattainable. I didn’t have support from my husband at the time. He couldnt understand or accept my passion to be a singer and performer. One day I decided that I was going to follow my dreams regardless of my age  or what my husband said or what any one said for that matter. Then I joined a band and started writing songs. I guess my decision to be in the music business happened when I decided a few years ago to follow my dreams and start living instead of wishing and wanting for something. Something clicked in me one day to be my real self and stop diverting from it.

2. Who are your musical idols and what did you learn from their music in order to form your own style of music?

I have many musical idols. Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Janice Joplin, Barbara Streisand, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and many more. I was obsessed with Prince and Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston as a child. I think listening to them so much gave me a lot of soul influence on my voice. I always liked Barbara Streisand’s ability to hold a note with such dynamics. I would listen to funny girl and try to sound just like her. Janice Joplin influenced me because I love how she wailed on the mic and how she let go and got out every emotion with one note. I try to do that when I sing. I mean, not just be technical but really feel emotion in my gut when I sing. I really like Sheryl Crow’s writing. She seems to write about the things that are happening in her life and that is the way that I write. Its hard for me to come up with lyrics that aren’t actually happening to me. Dolly Parton is a phenomenal. I strive to write a song as clever as she does.

3. You have given concerts in Texas. Have you given any out of state or out of the country?

I was recently very lucky to land a gig in New York City at Gizzi’s Coffee shop while I was visiting there but Im afraid I haven’t gone on tour or played outside of the state of Texas accept that one time.

 

4. How are you able to fuse different genres of music in order to form your own style?

 Thats a hard one. I have many different influences and like all kinds of music, some country, rock n roll, classical, opera, blues, pop,… really anything. So, I guess whatever flows out of me naturally is the influence of all types of music. I can’t really say I have one specific style but I tend to usually sound more rock or pop rock with my music. Some songs I write though don’t sound rock or pop at all.

 

5. What is your advice for those who want to be in the music business?

 My advice is this. You are never too old, too young, too fat, too skinny or too anything to follow your dreams. If your passion is music, whether its writing, producing, performing or whatever, just go for it and don’t stop. Whatever door gets slammed in your face there will be one that will open eventually. keep going no matter what. Treat everyone with respect. Be easy to work with and be humble. Don’t have a big chip on your shoulder, nobody likes to work with a diva or a know it all. Be real. Be yourself and start joining social networking groups that allow you to meet the people that do what you want to do. Look for groups in your community to get started. Put yourself out there and try to get experience helping on a music project of some kind, like a video or something. Network! Get business cards made and pass them out constantly. Look people in the eye, shake hands and say I am «…..» and I am a singer songwriter, or producer, or writer… here is my card! Get contact info and follow up with people. You just gotta be determined to keep going!

6. Do you have any message for your fans?

Please be on the lookout in 2011 for my first cd! Thank you for listening and for all of your support!

Thank you for accepting my invitation to be interviewed.