Joanie-Keller

Born in Wayne Nebraska, Joanie Keller was brought up on a diet of Country Music from an early age. She listened to the music on the radio and also live as her father, aunt and cousin all played in a Country band - "The Wranglers". With this sort of background it was inevitable Joanie would be greatly influenced with the music and at an early age joined the family on stage, later becoming a full time member of the band. This has led to Joanie bringing the traditional sound back into Country music on her debut album "Sparks Are Gonna Fly" which is on the Broken Bow label and available in the UK from record dealers including Alice's Country.

CMF:- With the release of your debut album "Sparks Are Gonna Fly", you are becoming known to a wider audience - including the UK. How does that make you feel? Nervous? Excited? Surprised?
JOANIE:- All of the above!! It's exciting and rewarding to know people are accepting and liking what I do. With that also comes a lot of hard work. I've always been one to take a day at a time and enjoy every moment. I must say there's been very little disappointment and lots of surprise and joy.

CMF:- Unlike many of new artists on the Country scene, you have chosen to sing and release an album of more traditional Country material. Why is this?
JOANIE:- Traditional country is what makes me tick. I've always loved it and always listened to it. I can't explain how it makes me feel, but I believe that there are others out there who feel that too. I was lucky enough to meet Benny Brown; President of Broken Bow Records, who has that passion for country music as well.

CMF:- So growing up in Nebraska you were exposed not only to Country music on the radio but also as part of a musical family band. Who were the artists you enjoyed listening to and maybe helped form your musical tastes?
JOANIE:- My dad and my Aunt Tootie were responsible for my earliest influences. My dad would spend hours sitting around playing guitar with me and my aunt played bass and sang so, of course I learned all her songs and I eventually played bass. I listened to the records my dad had around the house, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Tammy Wynette. That's still who I listen to today.

CMF:- Now although 'Sparks Are Gonna Fly' is your first album, it's not your first record, as didn't you cut a single at the tender age of 11. How did you come to record the single and can you remember much about it?
JOANIE:- I did record a single at age eleven. A talent contest came through our small town of Crofton, Nebraska and set up there for ten weeks. I won the Grand prize, a recording session and five hundred 45 records. I recorded "I'm Not Lisa" and "Bouquet Of Wild Violets". I got some radio play and received much recognition, but mom and dad were insistent on me getting my education so I stayed in school. I had a normal childhood. I thank them for that. It's such an important time to mould our lives.

CMF:- As you grew older, you formed a band with your siblings and then moved to Colorado where you sang with various bands. Was that a big decision to make, moving away from home and to another state?
JOANIE:- I started playing bass at age eleven. My brother took up drums and my sister played guitar. We played every weekend for ten years in a 100 mile radius of our home. Eventually, I moved to Wyoming and then to Colorado and played with several bands in those areas. My bass playin' always came in handy. I learned from my dad how important knowledge of an instrument is. As for moving away from home I was young and carefree and didn't even give any thought to moving so far away.

CMF:- Playing with the bands in Colorado you managed to make a living, obviously being paid more than your first pay of $1 a song and a coke! Did you find it hard or, were you so determined to succeed irrespective of any hardship?
JOANIE:- Yes, dad paid me $1.00 and a coke back before I became a full time member. I never gave any thought to the fact that I was making a living playing music. That's just what I did and I paid my bills. The club scene was different then, a lot more full-time work and it paid good.

CMF:- Was it always a forgone conclusion you would eventually move to Nashville and was making the move a difficult decision to make?
JOANIE:- From the time I was a little girl I dreamed of Nashville, but never knew that I'd really live here one day. I started coming to Nashville and staying with friends from time to time. Eventually, it turned into a full-time thing.

CMF:- Before getting the record deal with Broken Bow, presumably you were playing around the Nashville area in clubs etc. Did you play support or, open for any of the well-known artists and if so, did you get to meet any of your heroes?
JOANIE:- I was singing around town, doing writer's nights and sitting in with different bands. So I did get to rub elbows with many great writers and musicians, but my most memorable was going out to California to open a show for Merle Haggard. He has always been my #1 hero. I even went to his house the following day and sat in the studio while he recorded vocals on his gospel album. I will never forget how I felt that day.

CMF:- Had you been in Nashville before getting your record deal and how did it come about?
JOANIE:- I had been playing and singing for years. I guess "paying my dues as they say, but I was only in Nashville a few months when I met Benny Brown, the owner and President of Broken Bow Records. He was in a club one night where I got up and sang with the band. He approached me and we talked for the next year before I actually signed my record deal.

CMF:- It must be very exciting and tiring putting together an album. As a new artist how much input do you have choosing the songs and to the overall 'look' of the album?
JOANIE:- I had an amazing amount of input on everything from song selection to pictures. We would all come to an agreement so everyone was comfortable.

CMF:- You co-wrote a couple of songs on the album. Where do you get your inspiration from and do you enjoy writing?
JOANIE:- I have 2 songs on the album. I don't write a lot but do enjoy it. I plan to start writing more in hopes of cuts for the next album. I tend to write love songs. I really don't write from my life experience more from what I see going on around me. I'm a fairly private person and don't feel comfortable expressing my deepest thoughts with just everyone. At least not for now.

CMF:- If you could write with anyone who would it be and why? Who would you like to record one of your songs?
JOANIE:- I would have to say Merle Haggard. I like his straight forward approach. A George Strait cut would be nice.

CMF:- So Joanie, if and when you get time to relax how do you like to spend your leisure time?
JOANIE:- I enjoy spending time at home with family and friends. I also enjoy walking and I'll never pass up a day of shopping.

CMF:- Looking back up to now, what would you say is the biggest lesson you've learned and what is the best piece of advice you've been given?
JOANIE:- This is a tough business. Pay attention, work hard, use your head but follow your heart.

CMF:- Thanks Joanie for taking the time out to chat to us and Good Luck with all yuor future projects