Musical Influences:
My dad, Nina Simone, Freakwater, Butch Hancock, Steve Earle, Prince, Patsy Cline, baroque music and really anything and everything around me.

First Record Bought:
The soundtrack to the motion picture Xanadu featuring Olivia Newton John and ELO.

Favorite Record:
Hmmm, just one? Sound of Lies—The Jayhawks, The Very Best of Nina Simone—Nina Simone (really anything with Nina Simone on it), Purple Rain—Prince, Feels Like the Third Time—Freakwater, Guitartown—Steve Earle, You Could Have Walked Around the World—Butch Hancock, and really too many to mention.

What’s in your CD player right now?
Essence—Lucinda Williams and Satan is Real—The Louvin Brothers.

First concert attended:
Erasure at the Riv in Chicago when I was 15.

First band you were in:
Anaboy.

Your ultimate rock moment:
Meeting and talking to Johnny Cash back stage at the House of Blues, Chicago, after opening the show for him.

Favorite Trigger Gospel gig?
Opening for Johnny Cash at the House of Blues, December 1996, Chicago. Our CD release party for Things to Come at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL, June 10, 1999, and our first show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC, opening for Freedy Johnston, April 28, 2000.

Favorite Food:
Krispy Kreme Donuts

Favorite City:
Chicago, of course.

Favorite Author:
For now, David Sedaris.

Last Book You Read:
The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien

Favorite Condiment:
I love the way wasabi makes my nose tingle when I’ve had too much of it.

Favorite Quote:
"Follow your bliss."
Joseph Campbell

Non-musical Pastimes:
Scouring alleys and junk shops for hidden treasures—and baking yummy treats.

Last Movie You Saw:
Monsters Inc.  I loved this movie!