Christine Ohlman Interview – American musician and singer also know as The Beehive Queen. Notable for being the vocalist on Saturday Night Live. Interview June 6, 2013
Christine Ohlman Interview
1. What’s new in 2013 for you?
Continuing to tour and work with Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, The NYC Hit Squad, The Rockers In Recovery All-Star Band, The Decoys down in Muscle Shoals… proud of my track on “The Andrew Oldham Orchestra Sing The Rolling Stones Songbook Vol. 2” and my recent two sold-out shows at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
2. When will see a new Christine Ohlman solo album released
We are recording later this year. Working title: “The Grown-Up Thing”
3. What were some of the influences used on your album the Deep End?
I wrote from the heart on that one, having had several great losses in my life just before we started recording. All my gratitude to the members of Rebel Montez…Cliff Goodwin(guitars), Larry Donahue (Drums) and Michael Colbath (Bass)..and my dear friend Andy York (longtime John Mellencamp guitarist) who played every instrument in the world and helped me produce the CD. My special guests, who are all friends, were amazing… GE Smith, Catherine Russell, Levon Helm, Marshall Crenshaw, Ian Hunter, Dion, Roscoe Ambel. I was inspired and moved to work with all these great musicians.
4. Any tours coming soon you?
I will be on the West Coast in August and at the end of July in one of my favorite spots,Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to headline the W.C. Handy Music Festival
5. When writing a song is there such a thing as investing too much time?
That’s a great question….When you hit a dead end and beat your head against the wall for hours, those kinds of songs SOMETIMES don’t work out. On the other hand, you may get the perfect idea sometime later down the road, and finish the song in fifteen minutes!
6. How is the scene with Saturday Night Live these days with the music?
Currently-popular bands rule the day. Every once in a while, though, we do have a legacy act like Paul McCartney or Neil Young on!
7. Where does the name the Beehive Queen come from?
No idea!! A fan dubbed me that and began spreading it around on-line. Now, I am the #1 Google hit for that phrase!
8. What were your earliest influences in life?
Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson….I loved lots of male singers!!!!
9. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
I have a huge vinyl collection, famous, if I may say…..and it includes everything from the very first Little Richard LP to field recordings from the Smithsonian Institute of Appalachian gospel, some tasty early reggae, bluegrass, The Stooges, The Replacements, NRBQ….Deep Southern Soul (my favorite genre) …you name it!!
10. Someday do you see a biography being written about the experiences you acquired or will acquire in your life?
I never say never! Someone else would have to write it, though..I have to concentrate on writing songs!
11. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on Saturday Night Live?
Band members only have to be there from 11 am on the Saturday of a show, and occasionally on the night before to block out a sketch that there is music in, or to do a pre-recorded jingle. It’s a long day but packed with activity. The writers and director move incredibly fast, changing dialogue and often music as well. You really have to be on your toes.
12. Where do you see Music in 100 years from now?
I still think that live performance will be where it’s at..one-on-one, artist to audience…… We might by that time have microchips embedded in our brains that will pick sound vibrations out of the air..who knows?
Check out Christine Ohlman Online http://www.christineohlman.net/