Lucy Walsh Soars Like An Eagle

Many kids want to follow in their parents footsteps, especially if they were successful. You have second generation actors and actresses, sports figures and musicians. Some even try to ride the coat tails of their famous parents expecting the doors to be easier to open for them. This is not true for young upstart Lucy Walsh.

You see, Lucy is the daughter of the legendary Joe Walsh of the Eagles. Now, Lucy and her dad had an agreement from early on. Joe told his little girl that if she wanted to pursue music, that he was not going to help her. She had to do it on her own. That's exactly what this strong willed young lady wanted to do. "I am very proud of my dad and I don't want to shun him away or the fact that he is my dad. At the same time, I don't expect him to help me or have people do favors for me because I'm his little girl. I'm not going to change my last name or anything to avoid it because it all comes down to talent. Without the talent to back it up, you're not crap," said Lucy.

Lucy definitely has a style all her own but you can see elements of her influences mixed all throughout her personality and music. "I have loved Cyndi Lauper from an early age and I do get alot of comparisons to her. Musically, I love Mozart, he is my ultimate idol. I also love Nickel Creek, the Beatles and of course the Eagles. I think that the Eagles gave me my great sense of harmonies."

Lucy got a great deal of exposure by being a part of MTVs Rock The Cradle in April of 2008. It was a show where the off springs of famous musicians compete to win the top honors. I asked her about that experience. "It was actually a very painful experience. It was very scary to go on live TV, there was alot of stress. I mean, you get to perform and I love doing that but what the people at home do not see is all the people running around and the crew and the cameras. The music part was fun, but being picked apart by the judges just to create drama, that was painful."

Even though it was painful, it was a good experience. What else has Lucy been doing since the show aired? "Well, I took most of 2008 to focus on writing. I want it to be right because the music is the most important thing. I have over 100 songs down on paper. I will be going to Nashville and hopefully the cd will be out before the end of the year."

So, how does Lucy approach songwriting? "I think it was Billy Joel who once said that you have to go to the piano each and every day, no matter what comes out. You have to do it. I write in so many ways. I keep a journal next to my bed so that if I wake up and think of something that came to me in my dreams , then I can just jot it down real quick. I just recorded a song with Rooney that came to me in a dream."

Lucy has several tracks posted on her MySpace page. She seems to be at her element sitting behind the piano singing. Songs such as the amazing ballad "Lullaby" and another ballad called "I Miss You" showcase the passion in her voice that comes through in her music.

Lucy is very proud of her heritage but is dead set on proving everyone that she can do this on her own. She is right, the name Walsh can only get her so far. She most certainly has a voice that is very strong and pure. Her songwriting skills have already penned several tracks that show she has got a gift for telling a three and a half minute story. She is a true talent that hopefully will not get lost in the onslaught of today's "here today gone today" mentality of music. This young woman has got what it takes to be entertaining us for "The Long Run."

Alisa Turner: A Voice As Sweet As Syrup

Pancakes and musicians. You would think that they are two totally different entities, but think about it. Remember how excited you used to get when your mom or dad fixed you pancakes as a kid? Doesn't your favorite singer also give you that same kind of feeling? Pancakes come is all types of flavors and with all types of toppings. Singers are the same way. They have different styles and ranges. That brings us to Alisa Turner. This young lady has taken an ordinary food such as pancakes and created an association with it that will satisfy your appetite.

Alisa became a very skillful songwriter at a very early age as a way to deal with pain. "I was hurting alot inside and nothing seemed to help me get it out. I think around 11 or 12 , I started writing as an outlet. It was the only way that I could get out what was going on inside of me. We moved alot when I was young and I remember not feeling good. So, to keep myself stimulated, I would write and use my dreams as an outlet."

She has been through alot of pain in her life. Her mother was very sick when she was a small child and there was some question as to whether or not she was going to make it. Then, she lost her father, who was a pastor for 25 years. Her father is actually the catalyst for her association with pancakes. "Dad use to make pancakes for us on Saturday mornings growing up. It's a special memory that I have held onto. We were very close and it was so hard losing him. I sometimes think that my songwriting came out of my love for God and he gave it to me as a tool to help cope with all this pain."

Today's music industry seems to have alot of strong female persona's and it is hard to find your niche as an artist. It seems that there are always the comparisons to Sara McLachlan or Fiona Apple for an artist like Alisa because of the similarities in songwriting. She does site those women as being influential to her, but her main source is Karen Carpenter, who we know had her own share of suffering throughout her career. Another odd, yet understandable favorite of hers is My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade" cd. "I wasn't so much into their earlier stuff, but this whole cd just fits together so perfectly and tells such an amazing story. Each song fits together so well with the others."

Alisa books her shows and loves playing live. "The labels want to see you doing it all yourself. Every aspect from advertising to booking to sales. It shows your commitment. House shows are very hard and demanding on me. I try to make as many one on one commitments as I can. The more dedicated you are, the more respect you will gain." Alisa does begin her house shows with a sit down pancake dinner. In all my years and as many concerts that I have been to, this is a first.

My last question for Alisa was if she was stranded on a desert island with only one store bought cd , what would it be? "Oh, without a doubt, the Carpenters Christmas album. I listen to it all the time. I just love Christmas all year long!"

In this industry where female artists are so heavily marketing based on heavy makeup and cleavage, Alisa is truly an inspiring artist with so much to tell. Her childhood may have been filled with enough heartache for an entire city block, but she has used it to tell some of the most touching stories that I have heard in years. Her shows are very intimate and the connection that is made is one that will never be forgotten. Please take the time to get to know this amazing young lady at www.myspace.com/alisaturner. You and your heart will not be disappointed.

Eva Kathryn, Not Your Typical Artist

Most girls when they are young play with Barbie dolls are have tea parties. That sounds pretty typical of most young ladies, wouldn't you say. How many start writing their own musical compositions before turning 10 years old? Well, you usually don't unless you're 20 year old Eva Kathryn. You see, Eva was obsessed with music scores at a very early age. She would go to Saturday matinees and then come back some and sit at the piano and and try to recreate the amazing music that she had just heard mere hours before. She could, after a little persistence, play by ear what she had just experienced in the theatre. Not bad for such a young person.

Her obsession slowly began to get noticed. She actually had a connection with another musician who had seen some pretty big hits during his career with his group Kansas. You remember them from the 70s with such hits as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On Our Wayward Son"? Seems that both Eva and Kerry Livgren go to the same church in Kansas...no pun intended there. "I approached Kerry one day and told him that I wanted him to record the most amazing songs ever and I told him that they were mine. I told him that I wanted to record in his studio and he said that we would see. My mom actually told me to keep bugging him until he said yes. Kerry and I have been friends for a while and he has been like a mentor to me both musically and spiritually. He even referred me to my acting manager, Bill Evans, about 3 years ago," said Eva.

How does such a young person approach songwriting when they should be watching cartoons? "I usually write when I am pissed off. When you're numb, the emotions that come out are pretty intense. I just tinker around with a melody and the words just start to come out. I just love Celine Dion and her arrangements. My mom actually bought me a karaoke CD of hers when I was real little and I loved to put on concerts to it. Today my tastes are little more diverse. I love progressive rock with groups like Underoath and Dream Theater. I would love to work with David Foster someday. He is such an amazing person."

Eva's music will draw comparisons to many of today's women in music, but after listening closely you see that this young talent is very diverse and how so much to offer. She is reminiscent of Alicia Keyes on her song "Somebody" yet her song "It Was You" has almost an operatic or show tune feel similar to Phantom Of The Opera. Where does she see herself 5 years down the road? "I want to be doing what I am doing for the right reasons. It's not about the money. I have always wanted to be a songwriter for Disney movies. I would also love to compose scores with some of the greats. You have to stay humble and remember why you are doing this. Too many people tend to lose focus on that in their careers."

Of course, my last question was the one where you are stranded on a desert island with only one CD, what would you want to have with you? "Wow, tough one to call. It would have to be that makes me feel alive. Probably anything by a band called Emery. They have great songwriting and the music gets you pumped up and screaming."

Eva told me that her CD should hopefully be ready sometime in 2009. She currently has a 5 song demo that is available. She is an amazing talent and a truly gifted songwriter and vocalist. Check her out on MySpace or her website. With her hard work and persistency, hopefully she will not get lost in the shuffle in the turbulent music industry that is upon us.