Ed:
Where exactly were you born and raised?
CJ:
I was born in Fort Meade, Maryland. Just like everyone else today, I come from a broken home. My mom had heavy problems and split when I was 9. My Dad was always working or at meetings. I have one older sister. I'd say we sort of raised ourselves. I've been on my own since I was 15 and have always worked. I've lived in many different sections of Baltimore. I am a single parent of an 11 year old son who is very bright and talented. I have stayed in the Baltimore area because my son's father lives here and my son needs to see both of his parents, which he does. Four and a half years ago, I finally decided that I needed a permanent place to put all of my stuff, so I bought my first house here in a historic area.
Ed:
When were you first exposed to the blues (what age) and what was your impression of the music?
CJ:
I was starved for good music as a child. I wish someone, anyone, would have shoved a Duke Ellington or B.B. King record in my face early on. My folks didn't listen to blues or jazz. They dug folk and adult contemporary, which is cool, but it didn't move me. As a young teen, for female musical inspiration, I had Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart. It was their touring drummer, Denny Carmassi, that turned me on to the blues when I was 15. He told me that he was just playing corporate rock and that I had to hear the real deal. Man, oh man. He played me an Elmore James tape with "Dust My Broom," "It Hurts Me Too," and "Roll and Tumble." That changed my life forever. Elmore James totally blew me away. I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman singing, and it didn't matter. It was all right there. All the energy, all the hurt, all the groove, all in one. I immediately went out and bought all the Elmore I could find.
Ed:
When did you first decide to pursue a career as a blues artist and how did you go about it?
CJ:
I never did decide to be a blues artist. I dug the music and accidentally fell into it. I have always had horrible and abusive relationships with men. At the time that I totally turned to the blues, I was in a verbally, mentally, and extremely physically abusive relationship. (I was never abused in front of my son.) I engulfed myself with the blues to help me further myself from the abusive relationship, create a new life where I felt good, and surround myself with new people. (Who would eventually abuse me as well!) Plus, I just felt my soul connected when the blues was playing. Please note that I have since realized that you only get treated the way you allow yourself to be treated, and do not allow myself to be abused anymore.
Ed:
As we all know it is very tough to break into show biz, i.e., acting, singing, etc., and, no doubt, more so for woman. Do you feel it was harder to pursue a blues career rather than a different type of show biz? And if so, why?
CJ:
I can tell ya that if you want to be filthy rich, don't pick the blues! Blues is rough to get into because, unfortunately, it is not mainstream which I hope will change. You have to work a lot harder. Being a white blue-eyed blonde female has definitely worked against me as far as being a blues player. People tend to take women less seriously and that pisses me off. People can get so unnecessarily threatened when faced with a strong woman. Come on, no one would be on the planet if it wasn't for a woman! There are blues purists out there that think you have to be African American to play the blues. Duh! There have been many blind blues musicians--do you think they care about the color of a person's skin? No, they care about the music and that's the way it should be. Blues purists and jazz nazis make me sick. I think they all just need to get laid.
Ed:
In my personal opinion some of the best blues artists have been women. Would you agree with that?
CJ:
All great artists are always women, my dear. But I have to say that all of my original blues inspirations are men. Damn. That may be because I didn't have access to many female blues records when I was younger. I really, really dig John Lee Hooker.
Ed:
I would like you to name me at least three female blues artists you would consider role models for yourself.
CJ:
I can't name any female blues artist role models for myself because I personally don't know/never got to know any. I can only tell you the voices and musicianship I like. (I can listen to Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin all night long.) I have seen the media paint a picture of what an artist is supposed to be like in real life only to be let down when I meet them and find out that they are actually an asshole. I think your role models should come from the people that are genuine, loyal, hard-working, helpful, true, and real in your life. We can all fantasize about the musicians who play the music we like. Truth is, most of them wouldn't know you if they tripped over you. I think any woman out there busting their ass to make a living off music is a goddess.
Ed:
A lot of articles and liner note writers are always referring to a new artist as the next Stevie Ray or Janis Joplin, etc., which I personally don't understand. It's apparent that every artist has an influence but I think they also have their own identity. Would you agree with that or would you prefer to be identified with someone else?
CJ:
I think that entire notion of another Stevie or Janis is absolutely ridiculous. There never can and never will be another Stevie Ray Vaughan or Janis Joplin. It makes me annoyed. Everyone is an individual. Every artist is an individual.
Ed:
I noticed, on "I Want," that you wrote most of the tracks. Do you base your writing on real life experiences, or does something just come to you and work on it from there, or is it a combination of both?
CJ:
Everything I write comes from my real life experiences. It works better for me that way. Remember, the blues is truth. And I don't lie. I'm lucky enough that I hear music in my head all the time. I keep a 4-track recorder right next to my bed. Sometimes I hear music when I'm just on the verge of falling asleep, or when I'm just waking up. This way all I have to do is reach over and hit record. I try not to miss anything. I'm always calling my voice mail leaving myself messages. I also have one of those little hand held recorders so I can put ideas down anytime. I'm also guilty of writing ideas down while I'm driving, which I know isn't safe, but, what can ya do? I gotta get it out.
Ed:
Well, Cathy, that should do it unless you have something you would like to add.
CJ:
Yeah, Ed-- thanks for bustin' your ass to keep the blues alive.
