Interview with Robin Meade
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Christian Lamitschka: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who’s never seen or heard you before.
Robin Meade: in the states, im a national news anchor for HLN, anchoring the morning show “Morning Express with Robin Meade” from 6am-noon Monday-through-Friday from the CNN Center in Atlanta.. But now I’m also a country music artist, coming out with my debut album available exclusively at a US based store (Target) AND on itunes. My music has been called pop-tinged country. My voice is clear, alto, and strong.
Christian Lamitschka: What’s your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Robin Meade: My debut CD is just now coming out! We’ve been getting great coverage because no on-air journalist has ever come out with a country cd in the states. I guess you could say it’s a novelty, in those terms. But I don’t intend it to be a one-off. There are plans already in the works for the next album.
Christian Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD?
Robin Meade: The show I do in the states is known for its optimistic tone, even though we have to do news stories that aren’t always joyful. So I wanted the album to match what I’m already known for: a positive, can-do, encouraging outlook. Therefore, the title of the album is “Brand New Day”.
Christian Lamitschka: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding the songs for the your CD?
Robin Meade: there are 12 songs on this album. I’ve cowritten six of them. In Nashville, a common way to write is to gather two or three people, and start working on an idea. Maybe I would bring a concept, someone else might start playing some chords, and another person might hum a line. Together, that’s called co-writing! I’d use my vacation days to drive from Atlanta Georgia to Nashville Tennessee for these “writing days”.
Christian Lamitschka: Please tell us about the songs on your album.
Robin Meade:
Christian Lamitschka: What will your next single be?
Robin Meade: Dirty Laundry! I didn’t actually choose this song to be the single. Actually some big name DJs in the US basically chose it themselves after hearing the cuts. They liked the back story that I’m a news anchor, and like the vocals on this tune and that it’s a bluegrass-y take on a song most people recognize.
Christian Lamitschka.: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
Robin Meade:I really love to record acoustic songs where you can really hear the guitar strings and the voice. Just beautiful. Kind of like “Never Alone” on this album.
Christian Lamitschka: What’s your favorite song among all the songs you’ve recorded and what’s the story behind it?
Robin Meade: I really love never alone and inspirational message of the song, the acoustic quality of the music and the close harmonies on it. I’m proud to sing it for an audience.
Christian Lamitschka: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Robin Meade: I have complete creative control. I got great guidance from the producer, Victoria Shaw (who produced Lady Antebellum and wrote songs for Garth Brooks, Christina Auilera and Ricky Martin among others). But in the end she’d say “It’s your album, and you have to happy with what we put on there”. I respect that.
Christian Lamitschka: Who do you look up musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Robin Meade: I look up to my producer Victoria Shaw. She’s a genius writer, fantastic vocalist and natural performer. In terms of my musical roots, my first memories are of singing at church as the child of a preacher. I can remember the first song I learned there, how proud I was to show my dad I had memorized it. I remember the first solo I had in grade school, even the first time the idea of having “stage fright” was introduced to me, right before I sang a solo in sixth grade. Music, singing, singing lessons, and performing has long been a part of my life.
The love of music was fostered through Sunday services, Saturday jam sessions in our living room (my father plays the guitar) and with a little piano my parents hauled home in their truck for me! Music has always been a great mood enhancer for me.likewise, I hope it is for the listeners of this album.
Christian Lamitschka: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Robin Meade:I would change the way the radio game is played. It’s awfully difficult to get radio play in the states if you’re not with a record label here, but there is so much great music out there! It takes big bucks to have a radio promotion team and convince radio stations that you’ll be around for years delivering new music. So if you’re an independent artist, that’s a tough bill.
Christian Lamitschka: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing interviews etc. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?
Robin Meade: I love the recording process! I think it can be magic in the studio as you lay down the vocals and music for a song. Its important to be “in the moment”.
Christian Lamitschka.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond it’s courrent borders or are you happy where it is?
Robin Meade: I’m tickled that I’ll be able to introduce country music to my viewers, some of whom may not be country fans but will try it out for the simple fact that they invite into their homes each day through the television.
Christian Lamitschka: What inspired you to become an artist?
Robin Meade: For me its about being a story teller. I’ve been writing peoples life stories for years on the news. Then I wrote my own life story in a book that became a New York Times best seller. So now, with my love of music and passion for performance, it only seemed logical that I learn to be a songwriter. Much like in jourmalism, songwriting captures the loves, losses, drama and dreams of he human experience.
Its almost like I couldn’t help myself. My passion kept bringing me back to Nashville!
Christian Lamitschka: What drives you?
Robin Meade: I’m extrememly competitive with myself and am most happy when I’m giving 100 percent on a project!
Christian Lamitschka: What’s unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?
Robin Meade: I have a built in audience from my television show and am maintaining that career while pursuing music too.
Christian Lamitschka: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?
Robin Meade: My hubby and I have a little lake cottage about 100 miles away from the cnn center where I work in Atlanta. So we drive out there and spend time on the water, basically doing nothing. The place is nothing fancy. The carpet is still an outdated pink from the previous owner. The power goes out occasionally, but I love the simplicit of it. I joke it’s the “no makeup zone” out there. It’s great place to hit the “reset” button when life gets too hectic
Christian Lamitschka: Many European fans travel to Nashville for CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair), because of the opportunity to see so many of their favorite stars at the same time. Will you be participating and how will the fans be able to find you?
Robin Meade: I just took part in my first cma music fest as an artist. It was great to see the viewers and listeners face to face and perform for them. I love that with live concerts like those at cma fest, you get immediate feedback in the viewers faces, whereas tv the feedback is a delayed feedback, by way of the ratings!. I can’t wait to return to the music fest next year.
Christian Lamitschka: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Robin Meade: my website is also the website for my show. It’s www.cnn.com/robin , our facebook page is www.facebook/morningexpresshln or you can tweet me directly @robinmeade on twitter!