INTERVIEW: Shannon Curfman
- Al Muzer
Rather than follow in the footsteps of Blues-belters such as Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Merline Johnson and Rosetta Howard, 14-year-old Shannon Curfman seems determined to walk the paths guitar-slingers like Johnny Otis, Elmore James, B.B., Bukka, Buddy, Muddy, Memphis Minnie and her personal hero, Stevie Ray Vaughn, have traveled.
Described as a "downright scary" performer with an "almost freakish talent" that blends "Bonnie Raitt as a role model and Janis Joplin as a guardian angel" -- Curfman is one of a handful of young Blues practitioners championing what some consider a dying genre into a new century.
In spite of her young age, the fact that she watches Dawson's Creek and Party of Five, can name three of five Backstreet Boys and is destined to endure comparisons to guitarist, contemporary, album guest and fellow Fargo, North Dakota, native Jonny Lang for at least six more years, there's a lot riding on Curfman's young shoulders.
Determined to be seen as more than an underage novelty act, fiery appearances on the Late Show With David Letterman, CNN Showbiz Today and Good Morning America, a supporting slot during John Mellencamp's last tour and a brief headlining stint have exposed Curfman's incredible talent to a much broader audience.
Strong sales, outstanding live performances, rave reviews, positive word of mouth and enthusiastic radio support for her Arista Records debut, the 11-song Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions, is beginning to turn the little girl with the big guitar into a nationally-recognized figure.
Name-checked as "a hot young guitarist to watch" by none other than Mr. Buddy Guy during an interview with the author three years ago, it was destiny, a phone call and one good publicist that finally connected Al Muzer and Shannon Curfman.
CO: So, how does a 14-year-old in a sea of Backstreet Boys, 'N Syncs and Ricky Martins come up with an album this mature, this good and this grounded?
Curfman: Well, a lot of my friends listen to the other stuff [manufactured teen fluff] and that's fine. But, a lot of them are starting to get into the blues, rock and Jimi Hendrix, too, and I think that's really great. I grew up with a real classic rock background thanks to the records in my parent's collection. I also went through a country thing for a couple of years. But, then I heard Jonny's record [18-year-old Lang is featured on three songs including the Lang/Curfman/Bowe-written "Love Me Like That"] when I was, like, 10 or so and I really started to get into playing the blues, funk and a much bluesier type of rock.
CO: Okay - but that still doesn't explain how someone so young can come up with something as lovely, longing, lonely and heartbreakingly sad as "Never Enough." Where did that come from?
Curfman: You know - I'm not really sure - That song, uhm - I don't really know! It has to be coming from somewhere, you know? I'm just not sure where, exactly, that somewhere is yet. I write without really stopping to think about "where" or "why." I've got time to figure all that out later on.
CO: You mentioned a "country thing." You do realize that "I'm Coming Home" would be a massive hit on country radio?
Curfman: I'm a real Lucinda Williams and Dwight Yoakam fan. Buck [Owens], John Prine, BR5-49 - good country music, you know? The stuff I play is definitely a mix of what I've been exposed to all my life. Country. Blues. Pop. Top 40. Rock. Dance. Oldies. Punk. I think it's a shame that music has to be segregated to different playlists, different charts and different radio stations based on what "label" it's been assigned. The guys in my band [which includes 36-year-old guitarist Randy Casey and former Rufus songwriter/keyboardist Kevin Murphy, 55] sometimes talk about the great AM radio stations of the '60s and '70s. Back in the day when everything got played and anything could become a hit. [sighs]
CO: How did you decide that you were "ready?" Most folks your age don't have a clue -- you have an album.
Curfman: Well [laughs], there are times when I'm at home hanging out with friends I went to school with [Shannon has been home schooled for the last few years] and grew up with, you know, hanging out and going to Burger King, that I forget about everything that's happening. I've got a great family that has supported and believed in me from the very beginning [dad even requested a job transfer to Minneapolis so the family could relocate Shannon's base of operations to a bigger city]. What's most important is that I completely love what I'm doing and I think - I hope, that comes across when I'm playing.
For updates on Shannon's shows and appearances point your browser at: http://www.shannoncurfman.com or http://www.arista.com/aristaweb/ShannonCurfman
