INSIDE THE MUSIC with Atlanta's Own...

Caroline Aiken!

JAMGRRL:  Can you recall the first day you ever considered making a living as an entertainer?

CAROLINE:  I was 14 when they first paid me 25.00.  I was in a rock band in Long island, NY.  It was
1969, and I made money doing what I loved to do. That pretty much sealed it for me. Of course there
are nights I still only make 25.00...our field never caught on to the Living Wage increase :)


JAMGRRL:  Where did you grow up?

CAROLINE:  My first memories are Flagler Ave in Ansley Park, Atlanta... At 3, we moved to St
Simons Island, where my Father's family settled in the late 1700's.  I lived next to the beach until my
parents divorced, and we moved to Long Island in 1968.  After that, it's pretty sketchy.  I went to
school in Long Island, and then went to high school in GA; then, after running away, they sent me to
live with my father in California and I went to high school there.  I heard 3 different versions of the
Civil War :)

JAMGRRL:  Who are some of your earliest influences?

CAROLINE:  Emma Lee Ramsy raised me, and she sang with the Sea Island Singers. (Alan Lomax, a
well-known collector of field recordings in the 50-60's, recorded them, and the recording is in the
Smithsonian and on Rounder records)  My mother, she sang like Ella Fitzgerald. Cubby Checker, my
older brother's band was playing the Stones' "Sweet Lady Jane", and "Paint it Black." The Beatles'
Sergeant Peppers Album was when I was 12.  Traffic, Jefferson Airplane, James Gang, Jimi Hendrix (I
saw him open for the Monkees when I was 11), Janis Joplin, Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell, CSNY and
the Vietnam War, Watergate and the resignation of then President Nixon.  Awakening to the plunder
of government...


JAMGRRL:  What was the first song you ever wrote?

CAROLINE:  The Spirit Of Love.


JAMGRRL:  How do you feel about the direction of your music today?

CAROLINE:  It goes where it wants to. :)  I just hop on and take the ride.  I play with so many, and
am influenced by so many, that I have gleaned what I can and I incorporate it into what I have already.  
I've been amazed constantly by the incredible musicianship around me, and I learn and take as much as I
can soak in. Constant change, even with the songs that I keep through the changes.  The band I am
playing with now, DOGHOUSE, is what I've hoped for.  I just hope I can keep up with them.


JAMGRRL:  Just how busy are you these days?  

CAROLINE:  Oh jeeezzz...busy. Always. Constant touring, working on the festival, and raising my
child. No room for doubt.  I tour most of the year. Fall and Winter, I travel regionally (since my child
has graduated, I can travel out all year) and Spring, Summer, and Fall, I am in and out of town.   I have
been on 40 mini tours around the country this year, and in 2004, I have spring planned in NE and  NW;  
Summer is NE MIDWEST and Europe; and Fall is planned in Europe/Fla, SE region...the plans are
sketchy and still forming.


JAMGRRL:  How would you describe the Atlanta music scene?   & How good has it been to you?

CAROLINE:  OH ATLANTA!  I have been very honored recently by Atlanta Magazine and Creative
Loafing, for their attention and support.  Atlanta Magazine included me in a pictorial of their take on
the music scene here from the 50's until now.  I was the only one pictured (full page with a SWEET
write up) that hasn't had a major record deal, nor have sold millions (or even tens of thousands) of cds,
nor have I ever won a Grammy...but they included me with the Indigo Girls, the Black Crowes, Curtis
Mayfield and Gladys Knight!!! Wow.  Creative Loafing added me to the Almanac of what makes Atlanta
music, along with Shawn Mullins, Indigo Girls, etc....Hard Rock Atlanta put in a case for me!

JAMGRRL:  What advice would you offer to new musicians just starting on the jam scene today?

CAROLINE:  Play because you love it, need it, want it more than anything else. No expectations, but
full of hope and desire to connect.  Play from your heart and learn to  run the long run, not just the
short sprints.  Longevity, perseverance, and a deep need to connect and create with others.  Overall,
be true to yourself, and work hard and wear many hats.  Just like the owner of a restaurant must learn
to wash the dishes and may STILL have to wash those dishes, even when he or she is the big boss.

JAMGRRL:  You were in your first band at age 15?!  What was that like?

CAROLINE:  14, turned 15 in the band. It was like I'd been asked to join the team, and they were like
brothers to me.  It was a safe haven when things weren't good at home.  A release valve, a great
learning, and a dear memory.

JAMGRRL:  And of course, I couldn't let you get away without talking about the Dogwood Festival.  
That is my absolute favorite festival - Piedmont Park is so beautiful at that time of year.  How long have
you been involved with the Festival & what exactly is your role?

CAROLINE:  This is my 11th Festival, and I am in charge of the complete staging, sound, booking acts,
and management of the stages, set up, break down and everything in between.

JAMGRRL:  Also...what kind of lineup are we looking at?

CAROLINE:  April 2-4, we are still contemplating a Friday night show, but right now, Randall
Bramlett's band will feature CHUCK LEAVELL (keyboardist for the STONES, and previously for Eric
Clapton, Allman Bros, Sea Level).  Chuck is accepting a HERO award from NARAS (National
Association of Recording Arts and Sciences) on April 1, and will play the Festival on the 3rd.  The
headliner on stage 2 that night is Ian Moore, and Jan Smith, a great vocalist, teacher and writer in
town.  Dave Mason headlines on Sunday night, with Michelle Malone, Tishamingo with Donna Hopkins
sitting in), and Bill Mallonee (from Vigilante of Love).  Sugarland is still undecided, and there's SO much
more.  I'll have the line up published on the website December 15th. (www.dogwood.org)

There are two stages, and two performance areas - the picking parlor and the songwriter’s haven.  We
will also have drumming and dancing near the lake (at 12th street entrance) and we'll have South
American flute and guitar music in the gondola on the lake.

                                                  -----------END---


Dear Ms. Caroline Aiken,
You are a true Atlanta treasure.  
Thank you kindly for all the beautiful
music and inspirational love!

Sincerely,
-Jamgrrl