Interview with country music artist Sharmian

By Christian Lamitschka

Ch.L.: 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'se never seen or heard you before.

S.: Country with soulful Tones, with heart felt country words. when I write my songs, that describe how I feel at the time. How the words are written, depicks how I choose a melody for the song. My soul just knows how its should be. And thats why I say my music is Country with Soulful Tones

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? What were the highlights?

S.: I finished promoting my last two singles called I DRANK MYSELF TO BED and HURRICANE, and as you know the Germany Country Airplay Charts gave me a #13 and Im so happy for that and thankful, I just started geering up to promote my new single called MY LAST REGRET......My highlights were walking the Red Carpets at the ACM’s , Fan Fair and visiting with my fans going to Hollywood for High Profile Events and Red Carpets, my favorite Red Carpet event in Hollywood was the Sally Fields Red Carpet at Paramount Studios you can see that at my website www.myspace.com/sharmian just to name a few.

Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the upcoming CD, is there a story behind it?

S.: When It comes time to release my CD it will be self titled SHARMIAN, and Yes there is a story of why its just called my name. My Record Co is Sharmian’s Records and my Motto is If You Want Something Done You Have To Do It Yourself, after my late Huband Estill Sowards past away whom was my manager and he founded the Country Music stars John Michael Montgomery and his brother Montgomery/Gentry, well I learned real fast that no one was going to help me like him and I had to do it all myself, so I took the money he left me and Invested it in my music, I had to produce it, write it, sing it, had to learn to manage myself and people that I contract out and Promote and get it on Radio, and thru it all when it was only me holding things together and others that i thought were my friends fell to the way side, I knew to never let myself down and never quit............cause its just me, myself and I, and when it comes down to it, I know I CAN count on me. Thats why the title of my CD is appropietly named my name SHARMIAN!

Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding the songs for the your CD?

S.: Yes I write most of all my songs, not saying that later I wont use someone elses song, its just right now its a liability problem for me that I cant afford the time or the effort if a problem should arise, that will hold me back and again leaving me to say to myself, if you want something done you have to do it yourself, I know I wont give me any problems. lol

Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.

S.: the songs that are available right now I can tell you about, I already shared about MY LAST REGRET in one of the questions, but to make it short and to the point about HURRICANE and I DRANK MYSELF TO BED is, both songs were written about the same guy and the songs tell the rest of the story...........I got rid of him fast.

Ch.L.: Your current single is being played by radio. What do you think is special about this song that makes people want to hear it?

S.: This song MY LAST REGRET hits the core of anyones soul that has ever had a regret, Because, its about moving forward, and learning from your regrets, not letting them continue, because if we learn from our mistakes that turn into regrets, thats all that matters, I did a Show in the same Jail that Johnny Cash sang in, and the girls just cryed there eyes out.........now they have some regrets, and if you can jerk a tear out of a hard women in jail, then the song is a HIT.

Ch.L.: What will your next single be?

S.: Definatly something upbeat, I wanted to show my softer side in releasing right now my new song MY LAST REGRET other than all the wild life Expiences that caused me to write I DRANK MYSELF TO BED and HURRICANE which left me with some regrets...lol......... so the next one will definatly be upbeat.

Ch.L.: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

S.: I can sing all different kinds of music, not only Country Music but R&B, Rock, The Blues and out of each Genre Ballads are my favorite because I can really connect with my fans.

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?

S.: Right now my favorite song is my new one MY LAST REGRET I guess because, Im really anchored with it and Im digging deep of the real meaning of why I wrote it in the first place as I do all my songs that I release, I wrote this song about my mom and our life expieriences bad and good and my mom can not even finish listening to the song cause shes crying her eyes out!

Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?

S.: As I said I have all the creative control at Sharmian’s Records, thats why I started the lable, I could have had Major Record Deals but I just could’nt see anyone telling me how and what to sing, thats just me, and it worked for me.

Ch.L.: Who do you look up musiccally and how deep do your musical roots run?

S.: I look up to both of my Uncles, Ronnie and Paul Worley, when I was a young girl to a young Adult, Every holiday our families would get together and sing while they played the guitar and piano and I loved watching my uncles play while we sang, my music abilities run on both sides, my mom uncles sang, played and wrote songs also.

Ch.L.: What do you think about today's Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

S.: todays Country music is definalty different from the traditional way years ago, fans can only choose what the country music Industry gives them and its changing more and more everyday, I hope that I can bring some Country Music, that is satisfying to the ear and that fans will love years and years from now, as long as I can be honored to be one of the chosen, I will always bring the best of country music to the table.

Ch.L.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between "traditional“ and "new“ country music?

S.: In my opinion, the biggest difference in traditional and the new country is, The new Country Music is just other music with a steal guitar and a fiddle added to it, I think we all know that............it makes to much sense...........Im not comparing artists like Alan Jackson or George Straight, they are Country.

Ch.L.: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

S.: Less crooks, and more people that will stand up more for the music.

Ch.L.: 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?

S.: Interviews, and singing my music to the fans

Ch.L.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond it's courrent borders or are you happy where it is?

S.: If I can I want to take it as far as God will let me, I want to use my music for the right reason, to help people through out the world, To heal on the inside as well as the outside........thats what music is for, not to be the Big Star, but to shine for God to use you.

Ch.L.: What was your big break that got you into the music business?

S.: My Late Husband Estill Sowards, whom Founded and Managed John Michael Montgomery and his brother Montgomery/Gentry I met him the first day that I moved here in Nashville Tn from California, he give me a shot to sing to him a Gospel Song, and he signed me to an exclusive Management Contract that day, He said that he thought that I was the best voice he had ever heard, and we were never apart from that day on till he passed away, we fell in love, got married and he taught me everything I know, both good and bad about the buisness he was one of the few that really knew true talent in Nashville. My husband is what completed me.

Ch.L.: What drives you?

S.: Intergrity, the love of music, and making people happy

Ch.L.: What does it take to be a country star?

S.: It has to be your passion in your life, its your baby, your love and your life, thats the only way that I can explain it, and you will love it when it does nothing for you and be wild about it when it does..........its hard work, its more work then glamourous, but when your fans respond to your music in a loving way, the pay off is worth it

Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?

S.: I didnt have a Major lable with lots of money behind me, and an anterage to help me, But on the other hand, I can sing the way I want to sing and the songs that I want to sing cause if anything gets done I have to do it...lol my music is felt from my heart and I hope that my fans will fill it also.

Ch.L.: What has been your greatest challenge in music business?

S.: Being a little dog in a Big dogs pen. For instance, Major labels have been around for years and they dont have all the steps I have to take to get people to listen to there records, they just do there normal routine, I as an Independant Lable I have to make 100 steps to there 1 but I know if I just keep walking I’ll eventually get to where they are. once you get to where you need to be, there is nowhere else to go, you have arrived and thats where Im headed, does that make sense.....lol

Ch.L.: What has been the biggest disappointment in your life?

S.: When you work so hard to make something happen and someone is always trying to tear it apart by their lies.

Ch.L.: 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?

S.: This Year I will be attending Fan Fair in Colorado Springs Colorado, I would have attended Nashville Fan Fair but they are both happening at the very same days July 9,10,11. I wanted to try something different this year, and be with fans that cant normally travel that far to Nashville Tn to see Country Music Artists. I will have a booth where Ill be signing autographs and selling merchandise and being Sexy, so send some of those fans in Germany that way

Ch.L.: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

S.: SHARMIAN singing her heart out with every song, leaving them with the feeling of excitement, I love to get crazy and dress up sexy and I love to entertain my fans with props like an accual bed on stage during I DRANK MYSELF TO BED and HURRICANE so there is alot to watch.

Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?

S.: www.MYSPACE.COM/SHARMIAN
www.ITUNES.COM/SHARMIAN
YOUTUBE.COM/SHARMIANSMOVIES
facebook.com/sharmiansofficialfansite
www.cafepress.com/sharmian
www.twitter.com/sharmian
www.reverbenation.com/sharmian
www.eventful.com/sharmian

What they can find at these sites

Myspace.com/sharmian is my main website where you can find all my updates of what Im doing pics of major events music and a store to buy Merchantdise and even Itunes where you can exclusively purchase my records youtube.com/sharmiansmovies is where you can find self made videos by me of things that I do to share with my fans. And the rest are self explanitory

Ch.L.: What's the best compliment a fan has ever given you?

S.: That they love my songs and my voice, and it dont get any better than that

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )
www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka