Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest album, and what themes or stories you aimed to convey through your music?

It’s a collection of songs that I’ve been writing over the last twenty years. There’s something for everyone. I tried to touch on every emotion possible.

Music often has the power to transport people to different places and times. Can you describe a moment in your life when a particular song or album had a profound impact on you?

Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club has always been one of my favorite records. Every time I hear it, I’m a teenager again falling in love with writing songs and trying to be as cool as she was!

Many artists have rituals or routines they follow before performing or recording. Do you have any unique or quirky pre-show or pre-recording rituals that you find help you get in the zone?

I usually get super relaxed before I have to go onstage. So, I don’t have to do much in that particular area… I do have a singing straw that I warm up with on occasion, but not every single time.

Your lyrics often tell a story or convey a message. Can you share the story behind one of your songs and the inspiration that led to its creation? Years ago, I wrote a song called “Strong”. I’ve watched my mom go through so many things in her life and she’s always come out on the other side alive and stronger than before. I really wanted to write a song that told that story and would help other women know that there is nothing I can’t overcome.

If you could curate a music festival with a lineup of your dream artists, who would be the headliners, and what would the theme of the festival be?

The theme of the festival would be all of the music I grew up listening to as a teenager. I could call it, My Teenage Fantasy. I’d have to bring a few people back from heaven, but I would have Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Karen Carpenter, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Bolton, and so many more!

Music can be a powerful tool for advocacy and change. Are there any social or political causes that you’re passionate about, and how does your music play a role in promoting these issues?

I’m an entertainer not a politician. I’m not in the business of losing fans, I’m in the business of making fans. And let’s face it, when you get political, you’re upsetting 50% of your audience and that is never something I have ever wanted to do.

The music industry has evolved significantly with technology. How do you see artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the creation and distribution of music in the future?

I’m going to be totally transparent here. AI scares me to death when it comes to the future of the music business. AI is now writing songs and the songwriting community has already taken such a blow over the last few years because of digital streaming. It seems like an art form that is quickly fading away, if we don’t do something to save it. That’s what scares me the most and being such a lover of writing songs it makes me really sad.

Many recording artists evolve over time. How do you see your musical journey changing and growing in the next decade?

It’s hard to say who I will be in the next 10 years. I have changed as a person

so many times over the course of my career. I think it’s healthy to constantly evolve. That means you’re growing… that means you’ve learned something… that means you’re not stuck where you were. I can only say that I hope I’m different in 10 years and I hope my music is still authentic.