Jessie and her father Mike stopped by Graybar corridor to listen, we chatted about guitars and then I asked if one of them played the guitar, come to find out Jessie is the guitarist and I prodded her to play. Under the amazing limestone vaulted ceiling in the Graybar corridor in the Grand Central terminal she sang "Hallelujah." The best free concert hall in NYC.
What Inspires Jessie? "channel and feel emotion...every day life…..pour into voice and music."
Friends playwright Brian Hill and composer Neil Bartram walked past me just after getting off a train in Grand Central Station. It's always fun to catch up with people I know. I took the opportunity to ask the question "What' Inspires You?" "Human connection."
What's Your Inspiration?
I met Ruthie in Zuccotti Park where she was visiting from Detroit during a school trip to the UN talking with other nations to help find resolutions for things. She asked to join in singing Angel From Montgomery and I was happy to oblige.
filmed by Ruthie's friend Samantha
what Inspires's Ruthie? "want to happy in the world, inspiring me to go find happiness in life."
I walked past Don at 47th @ 6th avenue where he sets up to shine shoes. Scrunching up his nose at all the sneakers passing by, he lights up when he gets the chance to polish some pretty spiffy shoes. I loved his passion for life and gorgeous spirit.
What Inspires Don? "To smile and see the world from a different point of view."
His philosophy? "We need bridges to shorten that gap between races, religions, political views, people will find any slight reason to oppose you….for a few minutes of the day forget all that." I showed him my sneakers apologizing for the lack of need for polish, saying I'd return, his answer "We all got to pitch in and help somehow."
Zeus a photographer, videographer along with friend Chat passed by me as I gigged at Grand Central Shuttle. They asked me to sing for Chat's boyfriend Jon's birthday.
What inspires Zeus? "Music" and Chat? "Giving"
I met Valerie Williams while I performed at Grand Central Station. A woman who lived through a horrible tragedy, and yet has found the courage to let life, song and faith inspire her.
What's Your Inspiration?
Musicians Billy Maluw and Nigel Schat with friend Marvin visiting from Amsterdam, Netherlands, arrived inside the SI ferry terminal with instruments on their shoulders. I asked if they wanted to jam. Of course they said yes. They joined in and we had a great time.
What's their Inspiration? "Performing in New York City"
Billy: "love," Marvin: "go with the moment," and Nigel: "expressions of my emotions through music."
check out the clip I made of them jamming
I met Myah one afternoon in the Union Square subway station, we chatted about how God and poetry inspire her. She's also a basketball player, the combination of poetry and sports really inspired me. I asked if she would recite a poem and she took the mic and haltingly recited her poem "Misunderstood." Make no mistake she truly owned that moment. These are the beautiful things that happen underground that I love to share.
I met Fidel while performing at 42nd street @ 6th avenue. Fidel an actor/writer and producer, also works in NYC inspiring kids at Oasis Summer Camp. Hearing Fidel's passion about nurturing "the intangible" and what inspires him, supporting "what you believe in that no one sees," makes me so happy I asked him to share his thoughts.
May 17, 2011. The annual Music Under New York (MUNY) auditions is such a wonderful event from every perspective. For the organizers and judges, it is a long day, but well worth the effort. For the performers, it's a chance to perform for some pretty wonderful judges chosen from the amazing cultural fabric that makes up NY. Of course there are always MUNY artists on hand as volunteers and as judges too. I have been a judge in the past and have found it an interesting role to play.
What inspires judge and Joe's Pub director Shanta Thake's "Seeing people do what they love."
May 17, 2011. The annual Music Under New York (MUNY) auditions is such a wonderful event from every perspective. For the organizers and judges, it is a long day, but well worth the effort. For the performers, it's a chance to perform for some pretty wonderful judges chosen from the amazing cultural fabric that makes up NY.
Here's a clip of Lindsay who's audition performing her song "Next Step," earned her a spot in the coveted MUNY program. Welcome aboard Lindsay.
What Inspires Lindsay? "Everything…..looking inside and outside myself."
I met Graham at 34th st. What inspires Graham? Humble beginnings, family who taught valuable lessons.
What's Your Inspiration?
NYCSubwayGirl was happy to see Ruth Reichl (writer, eater, cook, former Gourmet editor) at Columbus Circle 59th st station. Seeing a friend in the subway, "makes the city feel comfy."
What inspires Ruth? Walking around the city and looking at peoples faces.
Ruth speaks and writes about food in ways that can make even the most jaded or obsessed step back in wonderment.
What Fools Do words/music C. Grier SESAC singerfish publishing
NYCSubwayGirl chats with Native American tongue drummer and log drummer William Ruiz performing in Times Square.
What inspires William? "connecting with the audience, ...I get the chills and get more into it."
Samantha Margulies Music Under New York performer (Opera, Broadway + Pop singer).
I chatted with Samantha during the 2011 Divas Underground (annual full day lineup of women performers from the MUNY program) at Union Square station.
What Inspires Samantha? "Freedom that the subway allows."
Newly joined Met tenor Richard Crawley shares his inspiration with NYCSubwayGirl: "music and love, music levels everything."
Bekka listened at LIRR and shared her Inspiration with NYCSubwayGirl: "Poet Andrea Gibson and honest words."
Filmmaker Nana asks NYC Subway Girl, Cathy Grier, for her inspiration. "life, street performing, people that I meet."
Ian Pickus produced the Alan Chartock interview of NYC Subway Girl on WAMC in Albany, NY for Northeast Public Radio and gives his inspiration. "the great people who come into the station everyday."
Elizabeth Watts and Jill Stevens came to NYC to film my Joe's Pub gig and performances underground. "music, performing, exchange of ideas...a good nights sleep."