interviews
On occasion I interview creative people, just to satisfy my own curiosity!
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Paul Bielatowicz’s Progressive Creativity
Paul’s bio at his Facebook page tells you some of what you need to know about him… “Paul Bielatowicz has earned a name for himself as a technical guitarist in the Prog Rock genre. Paul has toured the world as a member of both the Carl Palmer Band (Emerson Lake and Palmer) and Neal Morse’s band (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic). His live performances with these two bands have been well documented on both live albums and DVDs. Aside from his busy touring schedule, Paul’s career as a studio musician has seen him making album appearances alongside Paul Gilbert, Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Neal Morse and Carl Palmer, to name but a…
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Harry Mantong’s Song of Joy
From his earliest memories of singing in a children’s choir to forming the award-winning Palu Children Choir, Harry Mantong has spread joy around the world. I first met Harry on a crowded elevator at an event in Indonesia. Even among strangers in an elevator, Harry’s natural charisma stood out. It wasn’t a complete surprise to find out later that this same man was a featured performer at the event. Below the transcription of the interview is an audio of one of Harry’s songs. Be sure to check it out! Jim Wall Creativity (JWC): You were a top five contestant in Indonesian Idol. What are your memories of that experience? Harry: I’ve…
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Dave Bainbridge’s Continuous Creativity
Something of Dave Bainbridge’s creative persona is infused into everything he does – and he does a lot. Founding member of the Celtic, progressive-folk-rock band, Iona, leader of Celestial Fire, keyboardist with Strawbs, guitarist/keys player with Lifesigns, member of occasional guitar band GB3, solo artist, and half of the Dave Bainbridge and Sally Minnear duo.
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Brett Monk and Mount Hideaway Mysteries
Brett Monk has been a radio, TV and film professional for over 30 years. He is the director and showrunner for the Mount Hideaway series on Amazon. He has acted, directed, and crewed in hundreds of productions over the years. He also planted a non-denominational church where he served as Senior Pastor for 10 years. In addition to his film activities, he co-owns a successful real estate business. Brett lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, daughter, and goldendoodle.
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Matthew Smith and Emotionally Honest Worship
Music in worship. For many churches, it’s a struggle between traditional and contemporary. Is there perhaps another way which honors people’s feelings, glorifies God, and displays unity to a broken world? Matthew Smith uses hymns to help churches guide their people into emotionally honest worship. Matthew is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who writes new melodies to centuries-old hymn texts. He is a founding member of the Indelible Grace community, whose work has drawn acclaim across denominational lines and is used in churches around the world. I once saw Indelible Grace perform only after walking up and down a line of people outside a sold-out concert of theirs until someone sold me…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 3 of 3)
In part 3 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses interview techniques, being a detective, and his upcoming book on culture. INTERVIEWING INFLUENTIAL SINGERS AND MUSICIANS Jim Wall Creativity (JWC): If I could go a little bit into how you go about your particular profession. I’m just dying to know the answer to this. In your acknowledgements in The Man Called CASH: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend, you quoted Johnny Cash as saying, “In that book you told me things I didn’t know about people I’ve known all my life.” How do you do that? Turner: He might have been referring to…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 2 of 3)
In part 2 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses influences, exposure to art, and Hans Rookmaaker’s take on The Who. ON ARTISTS THAT INFLUENCE AND INSPIRE HIM Jim Wall Creativity (JWC): Just to go off in a different direction. Which artists fascinate you and why?” Turner: Bob Dylan has meant a lot to me, what he was and the kind of integrity he had – the way he combined stylishness with ideas about religion and politics, his use of language and rock music – that whole bundle of things that I was interested in. That all came together with him. Allan Ginsberg. I like his…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 1 of 3)
Steve Turner combines an artist’s passion with a journalist’s curiosity. His published poetry includes Tonight We Will Fake Love, Nice and Nasty, Up To Date, The King of Twist and Poems. His poetry collections, published for children, include The Day I Fell Down The Toilet, Dad, You’re Not Funny, The Moon Has Got His Pants On, I Was Only Asking and Don’t Take Your Elephant To School. His books, biographies and articles are too numerous to list, but include Hungry for Heaven: Rock and Roll and the Search for Redemption, Van Morrison: Too Late to Stop Now, Cliff Richard: The Biography, A Hard Days’ Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles…
