Actress, Singer and Songwriter FAWN Interviewed By The Eerie Digest Magazine
April 1, 2011 by News Staff
Filed under Entertainment, Featured
On April 1, 2011 The Eerie Digest Magazine owned by publisher and writer Mr. Joseph O’Donnell and our media partner interviewed our mutual friend Actress, Singer and Songwriter FAWN.
Fawn was asked about her music career, film, tv credits, nominations, awards and charity involvement.
Please read some of the interesting questions and responses:
ED- The Eerie Digest is really proud to introduce someone that has been a major part of many of the favorite television shows and films today. Singer / Songwriter / Recording Artist and Composer Fawn has created, written and sung many of the songs heard on popular television shows that we watch daily. She also is a well noted singer and has won some of the most prestigious awards. Fawn, please tell our readers about your early days in music and your greatest influence towards this profession.
FAWN-The earliest connection I had to music was when I was still in diapers, and not yet walking. My parents have video footage of me pulling myself up in the crib, bouncing up and down to music, until my diapers fall down around my ankles! My earliest recollection however, was when I was 7, singing in the famed Children’s Chorale directed by Duane Wolfe. Surely, that was a huge influence on me as well as other recording artists towards this profession. I would sit for hours with my heard phones on, listening to records, over and over, each time listening to a different instrumental line in the song and memorizing it. At the time, I didn’t realize that by listening to incredible songwriters, I was being taught prosody, commercial melody, lyrics, structure. Writers such as Gershwin, Sly Stone, John Denver, John Bettis, Queen, Pink Floyd, Sting, Michael Jackson, Paul Williams, Eminem, Marty Panzer, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Mercer, Dolly Parton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Madonna, Barry Manilow, Diane Warren, The Carpenters, James Taylor, Dan Foelberg, India Arie, Cat Stevens, Billy Joel, Carole King, The Beatles – were influencing and shaping my composing and lyrical skills. It felt like music was seeping out of my pores, so it had to go somewhere – into my piano, into my voice, into writing songs, into doing commercials. I started singing radio jingles at age 10 and I think that the catchy jingle melodies also had an influence on making me a very commercial writer.
ED- In 2010 your work appeared in ‘The Click List: Top 10 Videos’. Tell us about this and how it compared with your earlier work.
FAWN- It’s difficult to compare this because it had nothing to do with composing or writing songs for Film and Television, this was for mainstream dance/pop music. The Click list aired my music video for my hit dance song ‘Wish U Love’, produced by Chad Jack and Tim Letteer, and the music video was Directed by Stephen Wozniak. The song ultimately made it to #6 on the Billboard Dance Charts and the music video stayed in the top 10 for 5 months on MTV’s LOGO Channel, The Click List. It was a wonderful surprise.
ED- During this same period (2008-2011) you also worked with the popular television show ‘The Young and the Restless’. Please describe your work on this production.
FAWN- The songs I’ve written for Young and The Restless have ranged from Pop songs, ala Katy Perry in French to Dance songs, to piano based compositions, to Standard Christmas songs, to Jazz songs, to Halloween songs, to acoustic songs, to rap songs, to hip hop, to broadway, to children’s songs. As a songwriter and vocalist, I have an expansive range of styles I’ve written and performed in. I also sing in almost every language. There is one specific memory I have where there was an ‘emergency’- the deadline was just one hour. I had to write, sing and record the song in French…luckily I had a brilliant arranger and producer to work with to make that deadline happen, Danny James. He sent me a 10 second loop, which I looped into 1 minute and while I was recording my vocals, he was working on the arrangement and production end, I sang the song in one take, flew the vocals over to him, he mixed it and viola’! There was the song! You can hear this song on youtube/FawnTv, it’s called ‘French Kiss.’ I think I thrive under this kind of pressure. Some writers don’t do so well with that, but I tend to blossom and revel in it, because I am extremely competitive, even with myself and it challenges me on every level.
ED-You have also won many coveted awards. Please tell our readers about these and the sense of accomplishment that you felt in receiving them.
FAWN- The fist award I ever won was for saving a Junior High School from a fire when I was 13 and another award at that age for philanthropic work, but as far as my music goes, the first award I ever won was when I was 16 for The Elovox Jazz Festival for my A Cappella, 12 voiced vocal rendition of ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ by the Beatles. Shortly after that I won the top songwriting awards 3 years in a row at Berklee College Of Music for my songs ‘Livin’ With Out Your Love,’ ‘Just Look At Us Now,’ and ‘Playin’ The Fool.’ Those will always be precious and dear memories to me, being noticed in the infantry of my music career. I have won a few songwriting awards over the years, one of which was the VH-1 song of the year for my song “Into The Light” with music co-written and produced by Lasswell. In 2009 I won the JPF Music Awards for Best Dance Song for of the Year – ‘Wish u Love,’ the JPF Music Award for Best Dance Album of the year – ‘Body, Soul and Mind,’ and was nominated for the Hollywood Music In Media Award in 2010 – ‘Wish U Love’ and the Wake Up Award for 2010, which is for people who make a difference in this world. This is all I can think of, off the top of my head. I am always completely surprised just being recognized with any kind of nomination, and winning…well forget about it! I’m a mushy mess of gratitude! I do my music because it chose me, I didn’t chose it, so it is always a blessing to be recognized that you are touching people in some way and making a difference in the world through the gift of music.
ED- In 2009 you won the JPF music awards for ‘Wish U Love’ – ‘Best Dance Song’ and ‘Body Soul and Mind’ – ‘Best Dance Album’ for your album. You were also second only to Madonna in sales for the Masterbeat exclusive releases for ‘Wish U Love’ for 2 months running and you have produced several albums and singles and are working on some new material as well. Please tell us about these accomplishments and new developments.
FAWN-The JPF Music awards were held in Nashville, TN. and it was my first time ever being there, so just traveling and seeing the city was exciting enough! I remember when my name was called at the awards show – I couldn’t believe it! I think that the laughter and clapping in the audience was due to the funny, shocked look on my face when my jaw dropped down to the floor in surprise. As I was leaving the stage with my award, they were announcing the other category. The photographer was taking photos of me with my award when some one came running over to the red carpet where we were and yelled, “Fawn! You won again!” So I went back out there onstage, still a ball of nerves and excitement with tears streaming down my face from the first win. It was surreal. As for the success of “Wish U Love” it has been a dream come true. To be second to Madonna in sales was mind blowing. It was also another pleasant surprise to be just underneath Lady Ga Ga on the Billboard Charts. I was overwhelmed by the incredible talent surrounding my music and was also in awe of it. As for new developments, I am currently writing and recording some Christmas songs for a Movie Of The Week, after that I will start recording a Dance Remake of an old song for Hades Records and will be finishing up my 2 new albums – An Electro Dance Album and a Piano Compositions Album. Both will be available this year.
ED- Your work has also raised over five million dollars for people with HIV/ AIDS. This was a most worthy cause, and we know that you are a star in every right for all the fine work that you have created. We have been honored to be able to have this interview with you and want to thank you for your time with us. Please promise that you keep us updated with your career so that The Eerie Digest can share this news with our legions of readers.
FAWN – Well thank you. I think that we are all stars in our own right. I used to have this saying on my wall growing up, and I memorized it: “To be a star, you must shine your own light and do not be afraid of the darkness, for that is when stars shine their brightest.” We each need to be who we are born to be and be a LIGHT in the world. The song for HIV/AIDS was my first “real” song for the masses. Everything was donated on that song, and that was long before I knew any one with HIV/AIDS. I was a teenager when I wrote, sang and then recorded it with BT. The reason I wanted to do this song, was to give back to the world. I think we are only as good as what we give away. Thank you so much for asking me to be part of your magazine. I am honored and yes, I promise to keep you posted on my life, just for the Fawn of it! Ha Ha. For more information about FAWN visit http://www.fawnmusic.com
You can read the complete interview on The Eerie Digest Magazine
About News Staff
Recording Artist Moby Performed for Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine
February 15, 2011 by News Staff
Filed under Events, Featured, FEATURES
By: Songirl Sez, Special for Diversity News Magazine
Grammy Nominated Electronic and Pop Recording Artist Moby performed a 30 minute acoustic set in Beverly Hills on February 12, 2010 for the PCRM (Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine) Fundraiser to a crowd of around 300 people.
Guests were shuttled up to the private estate of James Costa, a long time animal rights advocate with tickets going for $50 and the event running from 6-10pm. PCRM is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 which has led the way for reforms in federal nutrition policies. Opposed to unethical human experiments, they promote and offer alternatives to animal research and testing. About an hour after the fundraiser began, a slide show was shown, with frightening statistics given on the obesity rate in children, stating that 1 in 3 children are now obese and 1 in 5 teens have abnormal cholesteral levels. Data showed a correlation of eating meat with these facts. The average American now eats 75 pounds more meat and 30 pounds more cheese each year, compared to a century ago. PCRM showed a new chart, called the “Power Plate” with four equal corners of Fruits, Grains, Legumes and Vegetables, promoted as “the well-rounded diet that could save your life” from the thepowerplate.org.
The slide show also discussed important animal issues at hand, as well as recent triumphs due to the tenacity, passion and compassion of PCRM. There were disturbing photos of a small squirrel monkey being squished into a narrow tube to be flown up into space for testing of the affects of ionizing radiation to simulate hazards of interplanetary space travel. When the photo was shown of the helpless animal, several gasps were heard in the crowd. Moments later the gasps turned to sighs as the guests were informed that PCRM was able to convince NASA to cancel the proposed monkey radiation experiments.
Shortly after the slide show and stories of triumphs and future areas of concern were shared, recording artist Moby performed an acoustic set. Although his performance was interrupted after just one song by Ady Gil who offered 2 all access Grammy passes, eventually selling to the highest bidder for $8,000, Moby seemed to take the auction intrusion in stride. Once continuing his set, he commented in between songs regarding the continual talking, asking people to go downstairs to chat. Moby played both guitar and piano during his performances, with the highlight being his vocal / acoustic guitar rendition of “Ring Of Fire” originally recorded by the late Johnny Cash.
Notables in attendance were Film makers Shaun Monson and Charles Hambleton, Recording Artists Moby, Fawn and Persia White, Book Authors Rory Freedman and Karen Dawn, Shannon Mann, Jane Valez-Mitchell, Patty Shenker, Ady Gil, Ellen Lavinthal, Robin Torme’, Kristin Bauer, Cindy Landon, Jennifer Landon, Chris DeRose, Libra Max and a host of others.
To donate of find out more about PCRM go to http://www.pcrm.org
Video and Photos Courtesy & (C) 2011 by FFD Images. All Rights Are Reserved.
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About News Staff
A Valentine For The Farm Animals in Hollywood/Beverly Hills
February 16, 2010 by News Staff
Filed under Featured, News
By: Songirl Sez special story for Diversity News
Valentine’s day came one night early for the farm animals in California. On Saturday, February 13th, a decadent fundraiser for ACI (Animal Cruelty Investigations) was held in a beautiful modern style mansion sitting high atop the canyons of Hollywood/Beverly Hills.
Guests arrived by shuttle from a near by parking garage to be greeted by ushers who took their shoes and led them into the party. Animal supporters didn’t seem to mind the “shoes off” rule of the private home, as they mulled around enjoying the open bar, vegan h’orderves and celebrity interactions. There were impressive silent auction items, thought-provoking stories, brief speeches and heart wrenching images and video footage shown which made it clear to every one in attendance why the fundraiser was so important.
Notables in attendance were Jane Valez-Mitchell (Emmy winning journalist-CNN/The View/MSNBC), Rory Freedman (New York Times Best Selling book author), Tracy Torme’ (I Am Legend /Saturday Night Live), Robin Torme’ (Book Author), Barney Cohen (Producer Sabrina The Teenage Witch), Fawn (#6 Billboard Dance Charts), Carol Leifer (Comedian/writer), Maria Spivey (Book Author), Jay Tavare (Cold Mountain/The Missing), Stephen Wozniak (Beyond The Da Vinci Code), Robert Sarzo (Producer/Guitarist), Bettina Rosmarino (ACI Board President), Monica Wild (Publicist), Lars Slind (Model for MTV Next/Clubcrushers), James Costa and many others.
Animal Cruelty Investigations Inc. (ACI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) California corporation and registered Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals whose Humane Officers conduct cruelty investigations, engage in humane enforcement, and take possession of abused and neglected farm animals. ACI works to protect farm animals through cruelty investigations, humane enforcement efforts, and the seizure of abused and neglected farm animals. For more information on the non-profit go to http://www.acinvestigations.org/
Photos courtesy of ©FFD Images & You Tube Video courtesy of ACInvestigations.org
Editor’s Note: We want to thanks Songirl Sez for covering the event.
