Ruby Lovett Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Lamitschka: Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?
Answer: The music that I play and sing is what I’d refer to as “Traditional Country”, with
a little bluegrass and southern gospel thrown in for good measure. My early musical
influences were local country, bluegrass and gospel singers that I grew up listening
to and singing side by side with in south Mississippi, along with the greats like Dolly
Parton and Loretta Lynn. I like to think that all of these folks had and continue to
have an influence on the music that I play and sing.
Lamitschka: How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
Answer: This last year has been very exciting for me. For the first time in many years
I had the opportunity to release a new album entitled It’s A Hard Life on
Puffbunny Records. The album has been well received, and this has been
such a treat for me.
Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story behind the name?
Answer: The title of the album was taken from the title track of the album, It’s A Hard Life.
A song written and performed originally by Nanci Griffith. I loved the song so much
and felt that it was a song that needed to be revisited because of the times that we’re
living in.
Lamitschka: Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?
Answer: I do consider myself a songwriter, and I cowrote five of the ten songs on the album. I am very proud to have these songs that I had a part in writing on the album.
Lamitschka: Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).
Answer: There are 10 songs on the album, and besides for It’s A Hard Life, which I mentioned
earlier, there are several “story” songs, like Catfish John(Allen Reynolds, Bob McDill),
a love song called Straight From My Heart, that I cowrote with my good friend Taylor
Pie, that speaks of love that has made it through good times and bad. We ended the
album with a song called Walking On The Moon, a wistful song about growing up
and learning to do things for oneself and not being afraid. I think the album is well
rounded, with songs that would appeal to everyone.
Lamitschka: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
Answer: I adore “story songs”. A song that takes the listener(and singer) on a journey
to or through somewhere. A song where you come to love or identify with
the main character of the song.
Lamitschka: What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?
Answer: One of my favorite songs on the album is a song I cowrote with the great Pat Alger
(Unanswered Prayers, The Thunder Rolls). It’s a song about hard times and those
around me that helped me through those hard times and never gave up on me.
Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Answer: I am, and have always been, inspired by the “working musician”, those that make their
living with their music, whether it be touring, teaching music or writing songs. It is
something that I have always aspired to do. Unfortunately, I have never found a way
to do that for myself and my music. That’s why I still work a full time job, taking
x-rays in a clinic.
Lamitschka: What was your big break that got you into the music business?
Answer: My big break came in 1995, when I signed a record contract with Curb Records in
Nashville. That opened the door to be able to work with the great producer, Allen
Reynolds(Garth, Hal Ketchum, Don Williams and may more). He produced my one
album that I recorded for Curb Records. Meeting him was one of the best things that
ever happened to me in the music business. He and I are still friends today.
Lamitschka: What inspired you to become a songwriter?
Answer: My mother not only inspired me to pursue a career in country music, but she encouraged
me to write my own songs. Her belief was why record someone else’s songs, when you
can write your own.
Lamitschka: Many music fans today get their information about artists online. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Answer: Yes, I do have a websitewww.rubylovett.com. On my website, you will find photos,
information about upcoming concerts and there are also some music videos on the
site that I am very proud of.
Christian Lamitschka (Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de) for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show