MAS: Congratulations! Steve Rupert the winner of the Male Solo Artist Contest for September, tell us how you got started as a singer and how your recording career began.
Steve: I started my career as a singer somewhere around 1969, when some friends and I started a band called Live Peace, which was lucky enough to play at a few high school dances and some private parties.
MAS: How did you develop your sound? Are you the primary songwriter, or is it collaborative?
Steve: My recording career began in the mid 80s, when I bought a 4-track cassette porta-studio; it was cool, but 4 tracks never seemed to be enough for an amateur like I was at the time. As far as my being the primary songwriter or a collab writer, I write all of my own music, but would love to co-write with others. Other influences can be very helpful.
MAS: What’s the story behind the song you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
Steve: The story behind the song is based on a truth/fiction account of the way I was feeling when it was written. I always try to write in a manner that will relate to as many people as I can reach.
MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?
Steve: MAS is a great site, but I feel that the number of songs a person enters should be limited to a max of 6 songs for all of the categories. Some people have so many, that it gets boring after awhile.
MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?
Steve: Musical influences that I have been compared to, vary greatly, because I love so many styles of music, and refuse to stick to just one genre.
MAS: What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?
Steve: I feel what sets me apart from other people in my genre, is that I try to be honest in lyric, and I really don't stick to one genre.
MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?
Steve: I get inspiration for writing songs from true life experiences, and I feel that my life is inspired by these same experiences. Truth in writing can inspire many people to listen.
MAS: What are your musical plans for the year ahead?
Steve: As far as musical plans for the year ahead, I really have none other than trying to write a better song; I no longer enjoy playing in a full time band, and have no plans of going back on the road.
MAS: Who were your favorite musicians as a child? What was your first album or concert?
Steve: John Lennon/ The Beatles were by far the biggest influence in my childhood, but there are many others that also served an important role in my musical upbringing, such as James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens, Chet Atkins, and the list goes on! First album purchased- Introducing The Beatles First concert- The Guess Who
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a musician?
Steve: The best part of being a musician, is people letting you know how great you are. The worst part of being a musician is people letting you know how great you are :)
MAS: What is the best and worst part about the music industry today?
Steve: The best part of the music industry today is that musicians can eliminate big business and do it on their own. The worst part is- it still costs money!
MAS: Tell us something completely random.
Steve: In finishing, I would like to thank all of my musician friends at liquidaudio.org, and I would also like to thank Ed/E-ISME for creating such a wonderful site for musicians to hang out and chat!
MAS: And thank you Steve Rupert for the amazing song you entered, the win is well deserved and we wish you the best!
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