1. WHERE WERE YOU BORN, WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I was born in Blue Island, Illinois (outside of Chicago). I lived in a mortuary first year of my life (my dad drove the ambulance). My parents moved to St Louis, Missouri when I was 5.

2. WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORY?

Listening to my mom’s records: "Let It Be" by the Beatles & "Me and Bobby McGee" by Bobbie Gentry.

3. WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU OWNED?

9 to 5 by Dolly Parton (not one of her best, but at 10 years old, I thought she was the coolest).

4. WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST PERFORMANCE?

When I was really little I used to put on shows for the folks. I can remember when I was a toddler and my parents were in college, there was this little outdoor arena, and I would stand in the center and sing “Get Back” by the Beatles to anyone who would listen.

5. WHO IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCE ON YOUR WORK?

Probably Linda Ronstadt. I loved her music as a kid, and I still continue to find it inspiring. She has quite a body of work although I'm most fond of her earlier stuff.

6. WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CONCERT YOU'VE ATTENDED?

Hmmm… isn’t it sad that I don’t really have one. I would love to see Loretta Lynn someday. She performs a couple times a year at her ranch in Tennessee.

7. WHAT IS THE WORST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD?

I can’t say I’ve ever had a job I truly hated. If it pays the bills….

8. WHAT IS THE BEST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD?

Being a surrogate mom to an orphaned beagle pup. It was only supposed to be an 8 week job, but it’s lasted 2 years so far.

9. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST (ALL MEDIA)?

A photographer named Harry Whittier Frees. He took live photos of cats and dogs during the early 1900s. He would dress them up and have them do domestic things like cooking and cleaning. I have several of his books. I think he was a genius.

10. WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE BOOK

Carson McCullers’ The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and Ballad of the Sad Café.

11. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE INSTRUMENT?

Piano. I play guitar mostly, but I love acoustic piano. Especially if it’s old and a bit out of tune. They have such personality.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG YOU'VE WRITTEN?

I’m always partial to new stuff. There’s a new track off my forthcoming album. It’s the title track, “Get On The Boat.” It’s kind of old-timey-country-gospel. I played all the instruments and did all the background vocals. It’s about coming to terms with my mortalitly.

13. WHAT IS THE FAVOURITE SONG SOMEONE ELSE HAS WRITTEN?

“Carmelita” by Warren Zevon is brilliant. I do a cover of it live.

14. HAVE YOU EVER COLLABORATED IN SONGWRITING?

My writing is always too personal to be able to work with someone else. I enjoy writing alone. But I love performing with others. I've been touring with a rock band (Wormwood Scrubs) behind me lately and it's so much fun.

15. CAN SONGWRITING BE TAUGHT OR IS IT A GOD-GIVEN TALENT?

I think it’s something you are born with. Whether it's God-given or not is up for dispute. Sometimes it seems like a curse.

16. WHAT SINGLE THING HAS HELPED YOU MOST IN YOUR CAREER?

Brett and Rennie Sparks of the Handsome Family have been very supportive. They recently brought me along on their UK tour. I am forever grateful.

17. WHAT SINGLE THING HAS HINDERED YOUR CAREER?

I had cancer last year. It delayed production of my album. I had to cancel concert dates. And I basically had to take a whole year off for treatment. But it looks like I beat it, so I really can’t complain.

18. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK?

A good salty Bloody Mary with celery & olives.

19. WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE POLITICIAN?

That's almost an oxymoron.

20. ( THE ADVERT) IN LESS THAN 100 WORDS DESCRIBE YOUR LATEST DISC.

The finishing touches are being made on my forthcoming album “Get On the Boat.” Several tracks were inspired by my recent bout with cancer. But mostly the album is about life not death. Although there is one track about some baby ducks I got for Easter that got ate up by on old hound dog.

I listened to a lot of traditional country and gospel during this time and it definitely has influenced the album. I used mostly acoustic instruments (piano, guitar, mandolin and banjo). I tried to create a warm and organic record. Hopefully I succeeded.