Grammy Award winner Shelby Lynne brings an acoustic tour to Chicago to support her new album. She spoke Nunn on One about Tears, Lies and Alibis.
Windy City Times: Hey there, Shelby Lynne.
Shelby Lynne: Hey, what's going on?
WCT: I love how, in the South, everyone uses our middle names. You can call me Jerry Don!
SL: [ Chuckles ] Well, if you are lucky to have a middle name. I guess that was the only thing suitable to call me. [ Editor's note: Lynne was born Shelby Lynn Moorer. ]
WCT: I grew up in Nashville.
SL: That's cool. It's rare to grow up in Nashville as is it rare to grow up in Los Angeles. You don't meet many real Nashvillians.
WCT: I saw you open for k.d. lang at a concert years ago.
SL: That was a long time ago.
WCT: That probably brought on your gay and lesbian following.
SL: I hope. That's what makes the world go 'round.
WCT: The new album—Tears, Lies and Alibis—continues in the same style as past records.
SL: Yes, it is very laid-back—you know, a good joint-smoking record.
WCT: What made you want to come out with this new album?
SL: I wanted to do something that was opposite of the last time. I did the Dusty Springfield songs. That was a real produced pop record, which I love. So I started writing again and wanted to do my own songs. I wanted to produce again and do more of a laid back thing.
WCT: I like the duets you have done in the past with Sheryl Crow and George Jones.
SL: I have a duet on this new Peter Wolf record that is really good. That is a great album. You should check it out.
WCT: Who are you listening to right now?
SL: I just got [ music by ] Desmond Dekker [ the late Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician ] , which I love. I love the Broken Bells' record. There is a lot of stuff that is pretty good that's out that I have been digging on. Of course, I can't remember any of it right now.
WCT: What do you think the challenge is now in the music business?
SL: All of it. It is all a challenge. I started my own label this time. I have had it with the big corporate deals. I am going out on my own with this one. I have never felt better about it. I honestly think I have gotten more work done in the last six months than I have in twenty years.
WCT: That's a good thing, though.
SL: Yes, but it's definitely a challenge. But you know what? I would rather be out on my own than ever do that label thing again. It was not working for me.
WCT: When you won the Grammy for Best New Artist was it a lot of pressure?
SL: No, it was a great award to look at every day. I am proud of it.
WCT: Do you want to do more acting? You did Army Wives last year and the movie Walk the Line before that.
SL: Hey if the role is right and I can bring something to the party, I'll do it. Not everything is for me, you know. It has to be the right thing.
WCT: Well, I am looking forward to the show.
SL: I will see you in Chicago!
To see Shelby Lynne's show at Martys', 3855 N. Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 4, at 8 p.m., visit www.martyrslive.com or www.shelbylynne.com .
