Not only does Michelle Malone have a grass roots music career but she is also down to earth. She started her own music label SBS Records back in 1992 that brought her playing over 1,000 live concerts. Her tunes have played on TV shows like True Blood, Felicity, and Dawson's Creek. Malone has duetted with Gregg Allman and been backed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Her new album Stronger Than You Think now takes her on tour with her Indigo Girl friends where Windy City talked to her on the road.
Windy City Times: Hi, Michelle. I noticed you were just in the Illinois area recently.
Michelle Malone: I was, I did the American Music Festival then I played a house concert, now I am coming back again. I will have three shows in three weeks! Isn't that something?
WCT: How are the Chicago audiences?
MM: Oh, I love them. They are fantastic. They are very enthusiastic especially when I play at Fitzgerald's.
WCT: You are originally from Georgia?
MM: Yes, I live in Atlanta, born and raised. I have been playing music since the late '80s. I just released my 13th album as far as studio records. It is what I do. I tour and I release records. It's just my job!
WCT: Congrats on 13, that's a huge accomplishment.
MM: Well, thanks. I like the last five or six a lot. I guess I was learning as I went. I feel like I hit my stride ten years ago.
WCT: How many instruments do you play?
MM: Honestly, I am primarily a guitarist. I play mandolin, acoustic, and electric guitar. For fun I grew up playing saxophone and drums but I wouldn't do that in public anymore. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself or put anyone through that. I enjoy playing drums as a hobby in my spare time because I can sit down and hammer out my aggressions. I will play some classic rock on my iPad and before I know it three hours have passed. It takes me out of time and space so it is a really fun thing to do.
WCT: I read your history about Clive Davis discovering you. When that happened did think you had made it?
MM: Absolutely, I thought I was all of that and a bag of chips! I was 20 years old and Clive is a legend in his own right. He's the one that discovered Whitney Houston and Janis Joplin, among others. I pretty much thought I was on my way to that.
I don't fit the mold and I don't necessarily work well with authority.
WCT: You are a rebel?
MM: I am and it's mostly because I have to wake up and look at myself in the mirror everyday so I have to do what makes me happy. I can't just do what would make myself the most money because a lot of times it conflicts with my spirit. I'd rather by happy!
WCT: You went on to found your own record company.
MM: Yes, I've had my own label for a long time now. It's good to be the king or the queen as it may be…
WCT: You worked with Amy Ray on a new song on your album. Have you known her for a long time?
MM: Amy, Emily, and I met back in college in Atlanta. We have been playing, singing, writing, and touring together since the mid '80s. We go way back and are a part of each other's history. They are deeply sewed into my life's quilt. One day we realized our families live in the same neighborhood and I ended up going to summer camp with Amy's little brother when I was 11 years old. We didn't know each other then.
WCT: I really like the Indigo Girls as interviews and personally.
MM: They are wonderful people. They were great examples to me and other musicians in Atlanta coming up back in the day. They have always done a lot for the community and the larger community in the world. They've taught us to give back.
WCT: How did the song with Sugarland's Kristian Bush come about?
MM: Again it is someone that we all knew from growing up and we all knew each other before any of us were anybody. They just gave me a call and asked if I wanted to play in Kristian's band for a while. I did that for a year before my new record was out.
It was such a pleasure to play and sing with him. He's a great songwriter so I really enjoyed it.
WCT: Is there a big LGBT following to your music after touring with the Indigo Girls for so long?
MM: Oh sure, absolutely. I have been out forever so people know that and of course about the Indigos. That has really been part of our followings for many decades.
WCT: Is there anyone that you wanted to work with but haven't?
MM: I have worked with a lot of people and been very fortunate throughout my career. I was thinking about this the other day when I was driving down the highway because I get that question a lot. I don't necessarily want to perform with certain people. I like to be in the audience and go see great shows. I really love The Rolling Stones but I can't see performing with them because I love them too much. I would freak out!
I love Bonnie Raitt but I wouldn't play with her because I am not worthy.
One thing I would like to do is perform on Sesame Street. When I was a kid I really wanted to be on The Muppet Show, The Carol Burnett Show, or The Sonny and Cher Show, which is impossible because none of them are in existence anymore. I can't even be on Johnny Carson so what I am left with is Sesame Street. There are songs on my record that would incredibly appropriate for that audience oddly enough. I went from being such a controversial artist to suddenly being a family oriented artist. I can't understand how that happened. Age does weird things to you.
WCT: I heard The Muppets are coming back with a new show so it could happen.
MM: Are you kidding me? Dreams really can come true!
Look for Michelle and the Girls at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Avenue, July 21 at 8 p.m. More on Malone can be found at www.michellemalone.com .
