Interview with Cameron and Tiffany

I wanted to post this article by Pilar.  She did a fantastic interview of Cameron and Tiffany of Michael's band for the Spanish newsletter she does and allowed me to post it for all of you.  I am posting the interview below and also uploading the pdf file so those who want can also see the pictures.  Thanks Pilar

July 2011

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How did you decide to start in the music world?

C: I first started playing the trumpet because my brother played it. He quit, but I seemed to have a knack for it, and kept going.

T: I began singing when I was 7 years old. Had my very first solo at my elementary school Christmas show singing “The Little Drummer Boy” and I

haven’t stopped since.

Which were your first steps in this career?

C: I was classically trained, and went to college for jazz. The pop world has been new for me. I first experienced it when I was runner up for

Beyonce´s female band. Getting flown to NYC to audition after making the cut at the Atlanta audition was a great experience. I also played a show with Seal out in LA, and have been with Michael for about 2 years now.

T: I sang with show choirs all throughout my school years then went to New York and sang for the Motown Moments at 19 years old. I’ve done Broadway tours, regional musicals and sang with cover bands all over the world.

What have been your musical influences?

C: Ahh, I couldn’t name them all, but Chet Baker, Louis Armstrong, Miles, Herb Alpert, Horace Silver, numerous classical composers.

T: My musical influences would have to be: Whitney Houston, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Karen Carpenter to name just a few.

What is the feeling that the word “music” brings to you and your life?

C: Music is the universal language of love. It brings people together.

T: Music brings me inspiration and joy. It also conjures up memories. I can hear a certain song and it will remind me of a time in my life whether good or bad. For example: One song may make me think of a heartbreak I experienced as a teenager or another may make me think of a happy time as a child, dancing with my mom in our living room. I used to sing, “My Baby Takes The Morning Train” to my mom when I was little girl. Everytime we’d get in the car, it came on and I would sing it to her. That memory makes me smile.

Tell us about the other sides of your careers, apart from MB: Tiffany, for

example, with your company and Disney, and Cameron as trumpet

teacher.

C: I was in a Broadway show called Blast! For 6 years prior to joining MB.

When I was home, I taught a studio of 30 students a week. I also play with

the Charleston Jazz Orchestra; I am a sub for the Charleston Symphony

orchestra, and have a weekly jazz gig at the Italian restaurant in town. Sol

Driven Train is the rock band I play with whenever we are both off the road at

the same time.

T: I am also an actress in film and television. I have hosted with Disney and

was the announcer on Nickelodeon’s Double Dare 2000. I am also involved in

comedy. I have done stand up comedy and I am in a popular all female

comedy troupe in Los Angeles called “BoomChickBoom”. I write, direct and

have my own production company as well.

When and where did you meet Michael Bolton? And when did you join

his band?

C: I met MB in Thessonaliki, Greece, when I first did a gig with him. I joint the

band during the summer of 09.

T: I was brought on board by Sandra Allen, the former background singer and

that is how I met Michael. Sandra and I used to perform together and when

she was leaving the tour, she referred me and I got the job. My first official

day of work on the tour was August 25, 2010. So it will be officially a year

very soon.

How is the experience of working for Michael Bolton? How is he as

boss?

C: This experience has been amazing. I’m very blessed to get paid to travel

the world and do what l love. He is a great boss. He is very generous and is

always taking the band and crew out to dinner. Those are usually the times

we get to know him.

T: It’s great working with Michael Bolton. To sing with such a gifted artist such

as he is, is quite an honour. He is a good person and a pleasure to work with.

Which one is your favourite part during the Michael’s concerts?

C: I like Sweet Home Chicago the best.

T: I like doing the uptempo songs like “Steel Bars” and “Time Love and

Tenderness.” I love the energy the audience gives. It’s great to see them up

dancing and singing along.

Tell us three words that you would use to describe a tour with Michael

and his band.

C: Fun, Busy, Entertaining.

T: Fun, Exciting, Family.

Visit their websites to know them better:

http://www.boomchickboom.com

http://musicbycameron.com/Home.html

You are in what Michael have called “the never ending tour”. What memories are you collecting from it?

C: I’m collecting so many great memories. We tour places that I could never get to on my own. I just saw a palace with beautiful gardens and fountains here in Spain! We are like a big family, so the friendships pretty strong.

T: I truly do love everyone on this tour from the band to the crew. I know I will be taking with me lifelong friends when all is said and done. Also, getting to see the world is an amazing gift. Places I never thought I would see in this life, I have seen because of this tour. Only bad part is not enough time to REALLY experience some of these beautiful places. I mean, we are working after all.

You have created the choreography for the new songs from Gems. Tell us how the process was and what do you want to say

with the movements.

C: We took bits and pieces from other songs, and Tiff came up with some of the new stuff..

T: I’ve choreographed before so it wasn’t too hard. I just listened to the music and it came to me. I choreographed “Pride In The Name Of Love” and “Love Is Everything” Cameron also contributed as well. We both got together and the moves just popped in my head. Cameron is a very good dancer (even though her forte is the trumpet) so she caught on quickly and easily. I just wanted the moves to be similar to the other moves in the show. For consistency. “Pride” I just wanted strength and inspiration to be portrayed. “Love is Everything,” easy, smooth and fun.

What do you think about his latest album, Gems, and the incredible artists he has chosen to work with?

C: I’ve observed Michael working on it and going through the process, so its nice to see it finished. I think its great. He’s got such an amazing variety of talent working with him.

T: I absolutely LOVE the new album. My favourite songs would have to be “I’m Not Ready” and “Pride in The Name Of Love.” They both move me when I hear them. I also love “Fields Of Gold.” I think MB worked with some wonderful talent. I think it’s one of his best albums yet and he should be very proud (which I’m sure he is).

What do you see from the stage when you are up? Do you see the fans?

C: We can see the fans in the first several rows. Other than that, a bunch of red lights from camcorders, and flashes from cameras.

T: Yes, we see the fans. There’s nothing like seeing the fans dancing, singing and having a wonderful time. It motivates us and is so important to our show and Michael’s as well. We all feed off of your energy. I once saw a grown man with tears streaming down his face while MB sang “Hallelujah.” It almost made me cry! Moments like that are priceless.