The following is an interview with my mother, Dianna E. Donahoe, which was prepared for a Music Appreciation class at Rogers State University. It turned out much better than I had expected and I wanted to post it up here and share it with everyone. Hope everyone enjoys this, this is probably my favorite writing piece that I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.
Singers Pray Twice An Exclusive Interview with Dianna E. Donahoe
Prepared for Dr. Hugh W. Foley, Jr. December 8, 2002
Written by Michael D. Donahoe
Singers Pray Twice
Singers Pray Twice An Exclusive Interview with Dianna E. Donahoe
Prepared for Dr. Hugh W. Foley, Jr. December 8, 2002
Written by Michael D. Donahoe
Singers Pray Twice
I grew up in Eastern Kentucky with music all around me my entire life. Eastern Kentucky is probably one of the most influential areas for the music industry over the past few decades than anywhere else. Within a fifty mile radius of where I lived there have been such talents as Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Joe Diffy, Billy Ray Cyrus, and that’s just popular music, not even listing most Bluegrass talents were all from this area.
The popular music of most of the artists to come from this area was spawned not of its country music roots, but of its rich heritage of folk music that breathes in the area. Mountain Folk Music is the heritage and part of the deep culture that lies in Eastern Kentucky. This music has a purity, and long lineage of strong heritage that dates back hundreds of years.
I could think of no one person better to interview that has brought so much of this music into my life as well as done so much to keep this music alive in its purest form than my own mother, Dianna Donahoe.
Dianna, mom, has provided so much to this area to preserve its musical heritage and as well to grow herself musically as well. It is my great honor to provide the following interview, and a journey of a singer’s development.
How long have you been performing?
I’ve been singing in public for about 39 years…
Who were your biggest influences to become a singer? My Dad was a very strong and stern man and never actually gave compliments to anyone. One day, he walked by me and I was singing as I worked in the garden, he stopped in his tracks, and turned to me and said, “You have such a pretty voice” I remember thinking “Well, it must be true, if he said so…”
Your father passed away at a very young age; did he ever get to see you sing on stage? He came to the first folk festival I ever sang at, he was very proud.
How did you come to be performing Mountain Folk Music? When I was a child, my sisters and I would sing together for fun, not much else to do then… The songs were old, and unique, at least I would learn later. We all went to a small grade school called Bonanza, spelled like the TV show, where they would teach us many of the old ballads. The grade school was 1st through 8th and had maybe 50 students. We had great teachers there, which were very educated and dedicated to preserving our heritage as well. Plus, I have a good memory for music and how it should be sung, I learned a lot from the people that lived around us then as well.
Who were your biggest influences to become a singer? My Dad was a very strong and stern man and never actually gave compliments to anyone. One day, he walked by me and I was singing as I worked in the garden, he stopped in his tracks, and turned to me and said, “You have such a pretty voice” I remember thinking “Well, it must be true, if he said so…”
Your father passed away at a very young age; did he ever get to see you sing on stage? He came to the first folk festival I ever sang at, he was very proud.
How did you come to be performing Mountain Folk Music? When I was a child, my sisters and I would sing together for fun, not much else to do then… The songs were old, and unique, at least I would learn later. We all went to a small grade school called Bonanza, spelled like the TV show, where they would teach us many of the old ballads. The grade school was 1st through 8th and had maybe 50 students. We had great teachers there, which were very educated and dedicated to preserving our heritage as well. Plus, I have a good memory for music and how it should be sung, I learned a lot from the people that lived around us then as well.
Later, I went to Alice Lloyd College and we had had a thing called evening vespers where we all gathered in a hall to eat and talk. One evening, someone asked if anyone knew “Red River Valley”. No one stood up, so I very nervously raised my hand, and then sang it. When I’d finished it was very quiet and I thought I had done something wrong. It was the first time I’d sang solo in public before. Then someone very special told me they were astonished by my voice…Mr. Grender, the Choir Director, who we all referred to as “Pappa Grender”. He then took me under his wing after that and insisted that I join the Alice Lloyd Choir. Pappa Grender was very impressed with my voice, he even wrote, “The Ballad of Alice Lloyd” specifically for me to sing when we would tour the country to perform in places like Boston, New York, etc. He encouraged me to sing my way; the “Hill” way, I think he is possibly the first person to make me believe I was talented.
You have a very powerful, almost operatic voice, how did you ever come to discover you had such power in your voice? When I was a girl I would go up on the hills, and sing as loud and hard as I could. I wanted to hear the mountains echo and ring as I sang, and they did.
How did you get involved with the Folk Festivals of that area? The Kentucky Highland Folk festival was originated by Ms. Edith James and Ms. Kathryn Frasure. Edith called Alice Lloyd College to find choir students that were willing to sing at this festival they were arranging. My name was given to them and I went to audition for Ms. Edith. After I sang she was jumping up and down with joy because I sang with the older styles, she called me “her treasure”.
Edith was heavily involved with music other than the festival wasn’t she? Edith was a music teacher in the area then and had a great involvement with her dedication to preserve our type of music. She has a collection of Folk Music ballads that are held by the Smithsonian Institute for preservation of our music.
You have not only been a performer at the Folk festivals, but you have also planned many of the Jenny Wiley Folk Festivals that later became the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival, as well. What prompted you to get involved with the business side of the festival? Actually, the Jenny Wiley Folk Festival and the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival are two different festivals. I’ve been associated with the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival since the beginning, both as a performer and later as the Director. Our festival was once held at Jenny Wiley State Park at the Amphitheatre. The stage was actually built for the festival. The Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival is the oldest ongoing festival in the state of Kentucky. Anyway, the Ky. Highlands Folk Festival always had a committee that planned the festival each year. A few years ago, I did not hear from anyone, and in checking found that when Ms. Kathyrn Frasure, the long time Director became ill, the committee had dissolved. There was not going to be a Festival anymore…I could not accept this, so I stepped in, contacted the performers, booked the Amphitheatre, and had the Festival that year. I continued for a few years following.
I recall when you were planning the festivals, there being a lot of different varieties introduced to the festival such as some more modern styles such as Rob McNurlin, as well as traditional sounding styles as Marie Baily, and also Scottish bag-pipe music as well. Why did you decide to add so much diversity to the play list?
I think that the music should be varied…there is so much talent here in the hills. Our music is more than just one type of style or sound and has such rich heritage and culture added to it. I think the really old country and western music, from the 30’s & 40’s, like what the group “Mule Band” who plays at the festival is something you don’t hear anymore. The traditional folk music, like my ballads, reflects the people who settled here….strong, intelligent, and talented people from England, Scotland, and Ireland. This music was preserved in almost the original way, because the area was so cut off from the rest of the world. There weren’t a lot of major highways built through this area until just recently. That isolation helped a great deal in preserving the influence of our music from our ancestors. What you have to understand is that the people of this area come from a lineage of land owners, the land was granted as reward by the King. It also has lineage of many Irish that immigrated to America in the late 1800’s and settled here. I get angry when people think of us as dumb hillbillies, or as uneducated, or barefoot buffoons. These people have such wonderful heritage that is probably more preserved of our European ancestors than anywhere else in the country. Along with that heritage, we carry a great influence on our music. I enjoyed letting people easily see that similarity by seeing Scottish bagpipes being played. They played a lot of what we consider our songs, which actually came from Scotland, Ireland, or England.
You have a very powerful, almost operatic voice, how did you ever come to discover you had such power in your voice? When I was a girl I would go up on the hills, and sing as loud and hard as I could. I wanted to hear the mountains echo and ring as I sang, and they did.
How did you get involved with the Folk Festivals of that area? The Kentucky Highland Folk festival was originated by Ms. Edith James and Ms. Kathryn Frasure. Edith called Alice Lloyd College to find choir students that were willing to sing at this festival they were arranging. My name was given to them and I went to audition for Ms. Edith. After I sang she was jumping up and down with joy because I sang with the older styles, she called me “her treasure”.
Edith was heavily involved with music other than the festival wasn’t she? Edith was a music teacher in the area then and had a great involvement with her dedication to preserve our type of music. She has a collection of Folk Music ballads that are held by the Smithsonian Institute for preservation of our music.
You have not only been a performer at the Folk festivals, but you have also planned many of the Jenny Wiley Folk Festivals that later became the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival, as well. What prompted you to get involved with the business side of the festival? Actually, the Jenny Wiley Folk Festival and the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival are two different festivals. I’ve been associated with the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival since the beginning, both as a performer and later as the Director. Our festival was once held at Jenny Wiley State Park at the Amphitheatre. The stage was actually built for the festival. The Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival is the oldest ongoing festival in the state of Kentucky. Anyway, the Ky. Highlands Folk Festival always had a committee that planned the festival each year. A few years ago, I did not hear from anyone, and in checking found that when Ms. Kathyrn Frasure, the long time Director became ill, the committee had dissolved. There was not going to be a Festival anymore…I could not accept this, so I stepped in, contacted the performers, booked the Amphitheatre, and had the Festival that year. I continued for a few years following.
I recall when you were planning the festivals, there being a lot of different varieties introduced to the festival such as some more modern styles such as Rob McNurlin, as well as traditional sounding styles as Marie Baily, and also Scottish bag-pipe music as well. Why did you decide to add so much diversity to the play list?
I think that the music should be varied…there is so much talent here in the hills. Our music is more than just one type of style or sound and has such rich heritage and culture added to it. I think the really old country and western music, from the 30’s & 40’s, like what the group “Mule Band” who plays at the festival is something you don’t hear anymore. The traditional folk music, like my ballads, reflects the people who settled here….strong, intelligent, and talented people from England, Scotland, and Ireland. This music was preserved in almost the original way, because the area was so cut off from the rest of the world. There weren’t a lot of major highways built through this area until just recently. That isolation helped a great deal in preserving the influence of our music from our ancestors. What you have to understand is that the people of this area come from a lineage of land owners, the land was granted as reward by the King. It also has lineage of many Irish that immigrated to America in the late 1800’s and settled here. I get angry when people think of us as dumb hillbillies, or as uneducated, or barefoot buffoons. These people have such wonderful heritage that is probably more preserved of our European ancestors than anywhere else in the country. Along with that heritage, we carry a great influence on our music. I enjoyed letting people easily see that similarity by seeing Scottish bagpipes being played. They played a lot of what we consider our songs, which actually came from Scotland, Ireland, or England.
Rob Mcnurlin does music that showcases some of the influences from the old time music. He grew up with this music around him and it clearly is a part of him. He writes original music, but it is done much in the style of the old way.
Why did you decide to no longer plan these events? The Festival has been taken by the Mountain Arts Center…I still help plan it, and contribute, but there are professional people who can plan the Festival. It does take more than one person. I want it to continue as long as possible. The Mountain Arts Center will continue to have the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival for years to come as well. They’ve been given a very large grant to help preserve our music. They do that through continuing the festival of course, but also by going to schools and giving demonstrations of the music.
What do you see as your limitations as a singer? I cannot read music. I was told by Edith James, who again was very well trained in music and taught music, that if I were to be trained musically I would have lost the unique mountain sound.
Do you think that was true? I think it’s possible. I think that’s what happened to Edith, she saw that she had lost some of the purity in her way of delivering music that she wanted that preserved through me.
You were much more formidable then, but what about now; do you still believe that learning music would change how you deliver the music? I think no matter what our styles change whether we like it or not. The music our ancestors brought over changed because of all that influenced them here. They had a much more rugged lifestyle and did not have a lot of instruments initially; it made them sing much of the ballads a cappella, which sort of made much of the folk ballads we hear now. I think I’ve changed the way I sing them in subtle ways since I’ve started. I still sing in much of the same way, but there are still some differences.
I think teaching styles have changed since then. Probably so.
What is your favorite Mountain Folk song, favorite to sing? Gypsy Rover is my favorite…My favorite to sing is ‘Cruel War”, they are both such great stories.
How do you see the Folk music will be preserved for future generations? There are many programs now that teach our heritage in schools such as music, storytelling, which is also a big part of our heritage, crafts, etc. I believe it will be passed on through our children. I’ve had both of you {my sister Suzanne and I} both perform at the festivals on stage with me. I had your sister sing “Lotti tu dum” with me on stage; it’s about a mother and a daughter talking about the daughter getting married. And of course, you’ve sang “Long Black Veil” with me on stage a couple of times.
You’ve been an active participant of the Holy Family Catholic Church Guitar Group for, many years. Often just referred to as “The Good Times Group”, can you tell us a little about the group? We have been together so long that we know when the other person will breathe. We have wonderful harmonies. There is a lot of talent in this group. We try to be supportive of each other.
Prior to singing with the group you always sang a cappella, do you find singing in accompaniment with other singers and instruments limiting? Sometimes, yes, I love to let the notes soar, and do my own thing. I like the harmonies we do too though.
Do you find it more difficult or easier singing in a group? It is more difficult. When you sing with a group no one should be heard above the others, fortunately I get to sing the melody. We listen to each other, and do the song as written. There are many that touch my heart, because of the beauty of our blended voices.
Which types of songs do you like better? It depends on the song. The old hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “In the Garden”, I like to do my way but there are many that we do together that are terrific.
What do you like best about singing in “The Good Times Group”? They are my best friends, and my singing partners. They are almost my family. I am very close to them and their families.
You sing a lot of older, traditional religious ballads, which as I recall weren’t often sung in the Catholic Church prior to you joining the group. The songs were always considered “Baptist” songs. Can you describe some of the differences in the music in each of those denominations? When I first went to the Catholic Church, I think I was amazed that there wasn’t a lot of singing. In fact I don’t think it was considered very important. It is now, or is at our church, although there are many in the congregation who still won’t sing. In the Baptist church I grew up in, the hymns were sung with great enthusiasm, with a piano being played so hard you thought it was going to walk right out the door. There was a big difference between that and the Catholic Church. I have learned to love some of the old traditional songs of the Catholic Church as well. There is a calming way to them, and the chants are wonderful.
Are there similarities? Some, many of the old ballads come from Gregorian chant. There’s a song called, “The Primitive Foot Washing Song” that is sort of a pure form of Gregorian chant that has been passed down generation to generation. I know about one verse of it, but to my knowledge it has never been written down.
How well was singing “Baptist” songs received initially by the congregation, clergy, and fellow group members? The people at Holy Family really love the old songs. Most know them, and will actually sing along. The first group I joined did not encourage solos. It was considered egotistical to put yourself in front of the congregation. The group I sing with now, “The Good Times Group” embraced the music. Recently, I brought in an old Mountain Hymn. We are all very eager to learn it. We are at our best singing harmonies as well as a cappella, I’m sure it will turn out very beautiful. There were some clergy that were initially resistant, but they came around as well. We prepare a lot each week to find out what bible readings are going to take place and what the message is going to be for the Mass. Then, we pick the most ideal songs to fit that Mass and arrange the music to suite certain moments during the mass. The songs we pick have to be the perfect ones, so they might be old traditional Baptist songs, or a group hymn, or something new. It just depends. I know the congregation loves the music. I’ve never heard people applauding the music in a Catholic Church until our group came along and now it’s not that uncommon. To me this means we’ve touch their hearts. I think now, in almost all Catholic Churches, you’ll find “Amazing Grace”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “How Great Thou Art”, in the Misselets. I think it’s wonderful.
Do you think the group had something to do with the change in music in other Catholic Churches? I don’t know, maybe, maybe not. Times have changed, but our group is awfully good. We feel the message in the songs, the music makes us all more spiritual.
When the priest does the Eucharist he chants, is it difficult to blend the two different styles of the group with instruments with the chanting music without there being a clash in styles. I think it goes very well together. When Father chants he is basically singing a prayer. The same goes with us during the hymnal. We sing and then everyone prays. The songs themselves are prayers as well, that’s why I try to put all my emotion into it. When I sing, “In the Garden”, I picture myself being there with Jesus in that garden and I see everything taking place, almost like a movie playing in my mind. So during the hymnal, as singers we get to pray twice. We are blessed to have been given this gift.
What is your favorite religious song to sing a cappella? I know you think I will say “Amazing Grace”, which I do love, but my favorite is “In the Garden”….My dad loved to hear me sing that one.
What is your favorite religious song as a group? “How Can I Keep From Singing”, it lifts me up every time we sing it.
Let’s talk about some of your songwriting. You have within the past 4 years begun writing lyrics and some music. I guess the question is, of all the time you’ve been in music, why so late in trying this endeavor? I have always written poetry, which is lyrical, but I could not find a way to put my music to paper. A friend helped me do this, I would record it, and Kathy would then arrange it for me.
What prompted you to start? I think that after I adjusted to my children being grown, and gone, I thought more about what I had been putting off doing, so now that I have time…here I go…
Have you considered having your original music published? I have a copyright on one or two. There is one that is wonderful. I probably should.
Have you thought about putting together some recordings of your original music and favorite ballads to sell or have produced? I would like to have a tape made for my family. I’m not sure about selling them.
What do you see as being your next step in music, what would you like to try? I think I should take piano lessons, or write more music. I really do enjoy that.
Can you describe briefly what music has meant to you throughout your life? Music makes me happy, and sad, it touches my heart like nothing else can. But most of all, it has been a joy to me. Everyone wants to be special. My music has always allowed me to feel special. When I can touch someone else with my voice or song there is nothing better.
Any last comments for our readers? There is so much noise out there in the world, I feel so blessed that there is music as well.
12/29/2002 Mom Flatwoods Comments: Michael, I just read the interview again…I think I need to add…you make me feel special…Don’t know why I’m crying right now, but thank You again.. I think you will write a great novel someday…love, Mom
12/28/2002 Ed Dilks Linwood, NJ Comments: Nice interview and writing about your Mother, Mike. You have a gift, follow it. I knew your Mother sang, but not to the extent that the interview brought out. Good luck and keep it up Dianna. From your Yankee friend in “Joisy”.
12/24/2002 Jim Seidni Poquoson,Va. Comments: mike realy enjoyed your interview with your mother and had been to mass with her and your dad and had the pleasure of singing with her during mass.keep writing
12/22/2002 Barb Prestonsburg, Ky. Comments: Touching interview with your Mom Michael. I remember those wonderful times too. Great job guy.
Why did you decide to no longer plan these events? The Festival has been taken by the Mountain Arts Center…I still help plan it, and contribute, but there are professional people who can plan the Festival. It does take more than one person. I want it to continue as long as possible. The Mountain Arts Center will continue to have the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival for years to come as well. They’ve been given a very large grant to help preserve our music. They do that through continuing the festival of course, but also by going to schools and giving demonstrations of the music.
What do you see as your limitations as a singer? I cannot read music. I was told by Edith James, who again was very well trained in music and taught music, that if I were to be trained musically I would have lost the unique mountain sound.
Do you think that was true? I think it’s possible. I think that’s what happened to Edith, she saw that she had lost some of the purity in her way of delivering music that she wanted that preserved through me.
You were much more formidable then, but what about now; do you still believe that learning music would change how you deliver the music? I think no matter what our styles change whether we like it or not. The music our ancestors brought over changed because of all that influenced them here. They had a much more rugged lifestyle and did not have a lot of instruments initially; it made them sing much of the ballads a cappella, which sort of made much of the folk ballads we hear now. I think I’ve changed the way I sing them in subtle ways since I’ve started. I still sing in much of the same way, but there are still some differences.
I think teaching styles have changed since then. Probably so.
What is your favorite Mountain Folk song, favorite to sing? Gypsy Rover is my favorite…My favorite to sing is ‘Cruel War”, they are both such great stories.
How do you see the Folk music will be preserved for future generations? There are many programs now that teach our heritage in schools such as music, storytelling, which is also a big part of our heritage, crafts, etc. I believe it will be passed on through our children. I’ve had both of you {my sister Suzanne and I} both perform at the festivals on stage with me. I had your sister sing “Lotti tu dum” with me on stage; it’s about a mother and a daughter talking about the daughter getting married. And of course, you’ve sang “Long Black Veil” with me on stage a couple of times.
You’ve been an active participant of the Holy Family Catholic Church Guitar Group for, many years. Often just referred to as “The Good Times Group”, can you tell us a little about the group? We have been together so long that we know when the other person will breathe. We have wonderful harmonies. There is a lot of talent in this group. We try to be supportive of each other.
Prior to singing with the group you always sang a cappella, do you find singing in accompaniment with other singers and instruments limiting? Sometimes, yes, I love to let the notes soar, and do my own thing. I like the harmonies we do too though.
Do you find it more difficult or easier singing in a group? It is more difficult. When you sing with a group no one should be heard above the others, fortunately I get to sing the melody. We listen to each other, and do the song as written. There are many that touch my heart, because of the beauty of our blended voices.
Which types of songs do you like better? It depends on the song. The old hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “In the Garden”, I like to do my way but there are many that we do together that are terrific.
What do you like best about singing in “The Good Times Group”? They are my best friends, and my singing partners. They are almost my family. I am very close to them and their families.
You sing a lot of older, traditional religious ballads, which as I recall weren’t often sung in the Catholic Church prior to you joining the group. The songs were always considered “Baptist” songs. Can you describe some of the differences in the music in each of those denominations? When I first went to the Catholic Church, I think I was amazed that there wasn’t a lot of singing. In fact I don’t think it was considered very important. It is now, or is at our church, although there are many in the congregation who still won’t sing. In the Baptist church I grew up in, the hymns were sung with great enthusiasm, with a piano being played so hard you thought it was going to walk right out the door. There was a big difference between that and the Catholic Church. I have learned to love some of the old traditional songs of the Catholic Church as well. There is a calming way to them, and the chants are wonderful.
Are there similarities? Some, many of the old ballads come from Gregorian chant. There’s a song called, “The Primitive Foot Washing Song” that is sort of a pure form of Gregorian chant that has been passed down generation to generation. I know about one verse of it, but to my knowledge it has never been written down.
How well was singing “Baptist” songs received initially by the congregation, clergy, and fellow group members? The people at Holy Family really love the old songs. Most know them, and will actually sing along. The first group I joined did not encourage solos. It was considered egotistical to put yourself in front of the congregation. The group I sing with now, “The Good Times Group” embraced the music. Recently, I brought in an old Mountain Hymn. We are all very eager to learn it. We are at our best singing harmonies as well as a cappella, I’m sure it will turn out very beautiful. There were some clergy that were initially resistant, but they came around as well. We prepare a lot each week to find out what bible readings are going to take place and what the message is going to be for the Mass. Then, we pick the most ideal songs to fit that Mass and arrange the music to suite certain moments during the mass. The songs we pick have to be the perfect ones, so they might be old traditional Baptist songs, or a group hymn, or something new. It just depends. I know the congregation loves the music. I’ve never heard people applauding the music in a Catholic Church until our group came along and now it’s not that uncommon. To me this means we’ve touch their hearts. I think now, in almost all Catholic Churches, you’ll find “Amazing Grace”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “How Great Thou Art”, in the Misselets. I think it’s wonderful.
Do you think the group had something to do with the change in music in other Catholic Churches? I don’t know, maybe, maybe not. Times have changed, but our group is awfully good. We feel the message in the songs, the music makes us all more spiritual.
When the priest does the Eucharist he chants, is it difficult to blend the two different styles of the group with instruments with the chanting music without there being a clash in styles. I think it goes very well together. When Father chants he is basically singing a prayer. The same goes with us during the hymnal. We sing and then everyone prays. The songs themselves are prayers as well, that’s why I try to put all my emotion into it. When I sing, “In the Garden”, I picture myself being there with Jesus in that garden and I see everything taking place, almost like a movie playing in my mind. So during the hymnal, as singers we get to pray twice. We are blessed to have been given this gift.
What is your favorite religious song to sing a cappella? I know you think I will say “Amazing Grace”, which I do love, but my favorite is “In the Garden”….My dad loved to hear me sing that one.
What is your favorite religious song as a group? “How Can I Keep From Singing”, it lifts me up every time we sing it.
Let’s talk about some of your songwriting. You have within the past 4 years begun writing lyrics and some music. I guess the question is, of all the time you’ve been in music, why so late in trying this endeavor? I have always written poetry, which is lyrical, but I could not find a way to put my music to paper. A friend helped me do this, I would record it, and Kathy would then arrange it for me.
What prompted you to start? I think that after I adjusted to my children being grown, and gone, I thought more about what I had been putting off doing, so now that I have time…here I go…
Have you considered having your original music published? I have a copyright on one or two. There is one that is wonderful. I probably should.
Have you thought about putting together some recordings of your original music and favorite ballads to sell or have produced? I would like to have a tape made for my family. I’m not sure about selling them.
What do you see as being your next step in music, what would you like to try? I think I should take piano lessons, or write more music. I really do enjoy that.
Can you describe briefly what music has meant to you throughout your life? Music makes me happy, and sad, it touches my heart like nothing else can. But most of all, it has been a joy to me. Everyone wants to be special. My music has always allowed me to feel special. When I can touch someone else with my voice or song there is nothing better.
Any last comments for our readers? There is so much noise out there in the world, I feel so blessed that there is music as well.
12/29/2002 Mom Flatwoods Comments: Michael, I just read the interview again…I think I need to add…you make me feel special…Don’t know why I’m crying right now, but thank You again.. I think you will write a great novel someday…love, Mom
12/28/2002 Ed Dilks Linwood, NJ Comments: Nice interview and writing about your Mother, Mike. You have a gift, follow it. I knew your Mother sang, but not to the extent that the interview brought out. Good luck and keep it up Dianna. From your Yankee friend in “Joisy”.
12/24/2002 Jim Seidni Poquoson,Va. Comments: mike realy enjoyed your interview with your mother and had been to mass with her and your dad and had the pleasure of singing with her during mass.keep writing
12/22/2002 Barb Prestonsburg, Ky. Comments: Touching interview with your Mom Michael. I remember those wonderful times too. Great job guy.
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