One of the new breed of singer/songwriters, Alabama born, Allison Moorer is a breath of fresh air in Country Music, which has played a big part in her life even from an early age. Allison's debut album "Alabama Song" was released to critical acclaim in 1998 when she was likened to early Emmylou Harris. Now Allison has released her sophmore album "The Hardest Part" which again not only shows her talents as a songwriter but also as an accomplished singer. If you've not heard Allison before, then you're certainly missing out on one of today's most talented perfomers. For more information on Allison visit her website.

CMF:-Despite being accomplished at the piano you decided to learn the guitar and write songs. What made you decide to change instruments?
ALLISON:-I definitely would not call myself accomplished at the piano, although I did take years of lessons. I always wanted to learn to play guitar, so I bought a chord book one day and began to teach myself. My husband, Butch, taught me how to make barre chords. After I could make four or five chords, I started to write songs.

CMF:-Although you had been singing backup and demos, you were still reticent to pursue a solo career until you met "a silver tongued devil" (smile) who you later married. Where had Butch heard you sing and did he have difficulty in persuading you to broaden your outlook?
ALLISON:-Butch and I were introduced by mutual friends. I suppose he heard me sing just by being around me, as I wasn't doing any solo work at the time. Butch introduced me to a group of artists that worked and thrived in music but didn't operate in the mainstream, and that intrigued me, because the star trip has never really interested me. So after that, I really didn't need much pushing.

CMF:-You had sung harmony for various perfomers. Wasn't it through a benefit performance for the late Walter Hyatt that eventually led to Tony Brown of MCA asking you to send him some demos?
ALLISON:-It was at a tribute to Walter Hyatt where Bobby Cudd, who is now my booking agent, saw me perform Walter's song "Tell Me Baby." Bobby introduced me to Tony Brown, and eventually Tony sent me in the studio to cut some demos because I didn't have anything down on tape at the time. Two of those demos ended up on my first album.

CMF:-Tony (Brown) was involved in compiling the soundtrack for Robert Redford's film "The Horse Whisperer" and had included one of your songs - "Call My Name" on the tape he had sent to the film company. Were you unaware he had done this? You must have been elated when your song "A Soft Place To Fall" was accepted for the soundtrack?
ALLISON:-I was not aware that Tony had sent anything of mine to be considered for the film until the day that I did my showcase for MCA. I did a short 6 song set, and when I got off the stage Tony said "We've got a deal, and by the way, your song is going to be in the next Robert Redford film, and there may be a small part for you." They ended up going with "A Soft Place To Fall" instead of "Call My Name", and yes, I was definitely elated. It was a big deal for me to be included on such a quality project.

CMF:-Not only was the song selected for the soundtrack but you also appeared singing it in the film. What was the experience like and has it whetted your appetite to pursue acting further?
ALLISON:-Getting to appear in the film was a real treat, although I wasn't really acting. Being the "chick singer" was something I could really relate to - not a huge stretch. At this point, I'm not really looking to get into acting unless the right opportunity comes along. I have the utmost respect for the filmmaking process and for actors, so unless I felt like I could hold my own, I wouldn't want to embarrass myself. Acting isn't easy.

CMF:-Your excellent debut album "Alabama Song" consisted, apart from one track, of songs you had co-written mainly with your husband. Do you find it easy to co-write with Butch compared with other writers or, is it more difficult because of your personal relationship?
ALLISON:-Yes and no. Sometimes it is difficult, sometimes it's not, but that's the case no matter how you try to write songs. I do think there is an honesty and trust there when Butch and I write with each other that's harder to come by when I write with someone I don't know as well.

CMF:-It must be difficult to follow-up a successful debut album, but you have succeeded admirably with "The Hardest Part." Where did the inspiration come from for the songs on the new album?
ALLISON:-With this album we wanted to tell a story. "The Hardest Part" is a story about what love will do to you if you tangle with it. It tells the other side of love - the side I'm most familiar with. Loving and being loved is not always a many splendored thing. It's difficult a lot of times and that's what we tried to explore on this album. The title track makes the statement "The hardest part of living is loving, cause loving turns to leaving everytime." That's not cynical, that's the truth. One way or another, all relationships end. In the songs that follow, a story unfolds and by the end of the record you're right back where you started, except by then you know why I feel the way I do. This is a very personal record.

CMF:-How do like to relax? Listening to music? Hobbies?
ALLISON:-Music is really my hobby. Other than that, I like to read, go to movies, and hang out with my husband and my friends.

CMF:-You've been to the UK previously as support for Trisha and also as a performer. How have you found the UK audience's reactions compared to the US and have you had time to sightsee?
ALLISON:-I have found the UK audiences to be very enthusiastic and warm. One of the problems with doing what I do for a living, is that I get to go to all these beautiful places, but I hardly ever get to see anything because I'm way too busy. Once in a while you'll have a day off to try to see some things, but not very often.

Thanks Allison for taking the time to chat with us and Good Luck with your album.

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