Interview: DEC. 2005
KCAL/CBS-2 Screenshot: Singing LIVE for 3000 people at Special Olympics 2005 Summer Games
KCAL/CBS-2 Screenshot: Performing "GRAVITY" with dancers for 2005 Special Olympic Summer Games!
KCAL/CBS-2 Screenshot: Performing "GRAVITY" with dancers for 2005 Special Olympic Summer Games!
1. Can you please introduce yourself for new fans reading this?
WORD UP, PEOPLE! My name is BRIAN! HOWDAY!
2. You recently wrote and performed a song for the Special Olympics - what was it like for you to have that experience? Can you tell us, who did get to see the show, what it was like?
IT WAS BEYOND PHENOMINAL! (Did I spell that right?!?! LOL!) The experience at the Special Olympics was just UNBELIEVABLE! I was asked to perform and THEN TO WRITE THE THEME SONG FOR THIS YEARS SUMMER GAMES and I was basically floored! I never imagined I would ever be able to have such an opportunity--and when I did--I really felt like I did something IMPORTANT and GOOD with my music, and my abilities. It was one of the MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES OF MY CARREER AND MY LIFE and I will NEVER FORGET IT!!!
I performed for around 3000 people in GINORMOUS STADIUM and it was just incredible.
The evening was televised by KCAL-9 and CBS-2 and aired TWICE on Sunday, August 6th 2005. So, there is no telling HOW MANY VIEWERS there were...I would just say "LOTS"!!!! And for having been asked to participate and perform for those athletes--on a serious note--I feel like I am the luckiest guy on the planet. They were a great LIVE audience--and I was extremely moved and blessed to have that opportunity. I HOPE I GET TO DO IT AGAIN!!!!!! Hint, hint...
3. Out of all the songs you have wrote/recorded, do you have a favorite song? Any songs with special memories for you?
I think the first song I ever wrote, at age eleven (recorded at thirteen) has a special memory. It was called "FOREVER IN YOUR EYES" and it was a POP piano ballad. It was the first seriously produced POP song I wrote that could've been played ont he radio. Beyond that, maybe the song I co-wrote with BOYZ II MEN when I was seventeen called "SAVE ME FROM THE PAIN". That was a major accomplishment for me as a teen. You know, I almost forgot to mention...my CHRISTMAS SONG! It's called "ONE WISH (This Christmas Time)". That one is special to me because it is the first Christmas song I'd ever written and recorded. It was kind of written about ending our war and about promoting peace since I feel like things are so screwed up right now. I hate how people are suffering so much--in so many ways...and that is my way of putting it out to the universe to kind of try and stop this rough period, and pray or "wish" for a better existence for everyone. It's a song with a message--saying we can all make things better in the world if we just reached out to one another, accepted our differences, and really concentrated on helping our fellow man. The lyrics are at my website www.brian-anthony.com. I guess that every song is special in it's own way, really.
4. What projects are you currently working on?
GLAD YOU ASKED!!! I am SOOO excited about my career right now...for so many reasons! I decided to work with new management. My manager is the former manager of the recording superstar JEWEL. She actually discovered her in a coffee shop--and I am sure everyone knows about the incredible rags to riches story she had--going from living out of her car to WORLDWIDE SUCCESS. My manager is responsible for putting her on the cover of TIME MAGAZINE. So, she's on the east coast and her partner iis here on the west coast and he takes care of me here. I feel like with their guidance and the new organic, POP/R&B sound in my music--I can conquer the world!
I will be in the recording studio at the end of this month re-recording "MORE THAN I AM". I am singing it COMPLETELY in SPANISH and then also doing a SPANGLISH VERSION of the song. That is something I've alyways wanted to do since I am half SPANISH and half ITALIAN decent.
And on top of that, I'm writing a slew of new material with a bunch of different producers and hopefully it will be ready to hear by January or February of 2006! Once all of this material is finished...I'm hoping to do a HIGH SCHOOL TOUR as well.
I'm also looking forward to recording an "updated" version of the 1989 Top 10 Hit "Don't Wanna Fall In Love". I LOVE JANE CHILD (singer/songwriter/producer)--she is like, one of my idols! And I am OBSESSED with that song! So now I have the opportunity to do a cover of it...and I AM MOST EXCITED about this!
There is some "talk" of possibly working with producers of a co-ed pop group called "LIBERTY X". out of ENGLAND. There might be a meeting in London with them for March. (Crossing my fingers.)
I'm also seeing more acting in my future for 2006!
5. What are your future goals in life?
I think it would be cool to write and produce music for other artists. I would like to own a MAJOR label someday. I also would like to start really getting into tackling some cool roles in feature film and television.
I also wrote a script of the HORROR genre that i would like to see go into production someday. It's been something I've been working on for years...and it's loosely based on the murder of one of my friends. I would like to have a part in it and see it come to fruition.
Then, I don't know...I basically... "Want to rule the world!" LOL!
6. What inspires you the most?
I am really inspired by people like the athletes of the Special Olympics who overcome obstacles or who defy "GRAVITY" or negativity and are driven to reach their goals and make their dreams come true. It may sound a little corny, but...that really gets to me. People like Kanye West are SOOOOO inspiring to me because for a long time people told him he couldn't be a rapper--and now look at him. He is THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RAP ACT IN THE BUSINESS!!! He defied the odds and overcame adversity. That kind of stuff really inspires me--about as much as making music does.
I was/am totally OBSESSED with MAKING THE BAND 3. I know I sound totally weird, but I love to listen to PDiddy and watch him test the girls--especially Aundrea and Aubrey. They fight through the bad parts of the business--that can sometimes almost break a person--but they take a licking and keep on ticking! Those two, especially--and that show--are inspiring. Now that it's over--I still love to catch some of my favorite episodes once an awhile. I've TIVO'd EVERY EPISODE! LOL! GOD BLESS TIVO!
7. What is your highest motivator that keeps you going?
Boy, these are deep questions! I hope I don't sound totally serious and BOOORING! Hmmm...well, HONESTLY, I think people like yourself--THERESA! The fans keep me going. The fans who have been around from the beginning of my journey to the new ones that show up on MYSPACE and send me mail about how much the like my music, etc. That keeps me pretty happy and sane in such a crazy business. Also, I think the man upstairs a big motivator for me. HE watches over me and helps me fight through the tough times and rewards me with awesome experiences like any one of the few I've already mentioned. Competition also keeps me motivated--artists that are like me out there. That really lights a fire under my keister! NEW POP ARTISTS and GREAT NEW POP MUSIC always keeps me goin'! I'm always looking for what's just around the curve...and whatever is fresh and NEW is inspiring to me in my career.
Also, I find that "nay sayers" or people that can be negative about the business or that aren't so supportive of my career are inspiring to me. THEY ALWAYS MAKE ME FIGHT HARDER AND MAKE ME WANT TO PROVE THEM WRONG. I love those people...and I always remember them. They become engrained in my brain and TOTALLY MOTIVATE ME TO EXCELL BEYOND LIMITS UNKNOWN!
8.How do you prepare for a live performance?
PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! REHEARSE! REHEARSE! AND REHEARSE! WORK OUT! WORK OUT! WORK OUT! WORK OUT! DANCE! DANCE! DANCE! AND DANCE SOME MO'!!!!!!! IT NEVER ENDS!!!!!! I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY! Preparation is the KEY to my professional sanity! 9. If you were to guest star on any show, what should would it be and why? Would you star as yourself or someone else? If someone else - what would you prefer your character to be like?
NICE QUESTION!!! Well, I don't really watch much but MTV and the FOOD NETWORK...so that's kind of a tough one. I've always wanted to perform on EMERIL LIVE! LOL! Uh...but if I had to pick a show that is on TV right now....I would love to be on "THE OC" or "LAGUNA BEACH" or "SUPERNATURAL" or "LOST". I've always wanted to be in a "scary movie" as the killer OR the "guy that makes it in the end".
10. What would you like to say to all your fans?
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!! I can't thank you enough for the love and support I've been recieving! You guys are one of the BIG reasons why I am doing this and without you guys...I'm nothing.
Favorites
1. Music Magazine?
ROLLING STONE
2. Type of music?
POP/R&B But I love RAP, Hip-Hop, Country, DANCE, Electronica...the list goes on.
3. Holiday/Season?
Halloween
Christmas
Summer
4. Animal?
Garfield! ;)
5. Sports/Sports Teams?
49ers, SFGiants
