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CMC Country Music Channel
Q & A with Morgan Evans & Shea Fisher
How did you get into music and performing? How would you suggest young people go about getting experience in the music industry?
Morgan: I started playing Piano at 5 and progressed to the Baritone Horn in Primary School but I always wanted to be in a band. I started teaching myself guitar at 12 and got my first electric guitar for my 13th Birthday. My best mate played drums and we made my brother learn the bass guitar. We played our first gig 10 months later . Competitions were where I started out. You don't need a track record, often you don't even need a recording. Just put your name down, turn up and start playing!
Shea: I would always put my hand up to be part of my school plays and drama performances that were held every year. I was involved in the chapel choir which would lead our school assemblies every week. I first started singing in my lounge room for my family who I would make sit through my ‘concerts’. I don’t think there is a hard and fast rule to stepping into the music industry just be passionate, believe in yourself and never say never!
What do you enjoy most about music?
Morgan: I love the way music can evoke or express emotion and I love the way music can bring people together.
Shea: Music to me is a form of expression. I love how you can take a musical instrument and ‘make it talk’, how you can perform to an audience and bring enjoyment and entertainment.
I absolutely love being on the road touring. I get to perform to a different audience every weekend. I get to meet new interesting people from all walks of life.
How do you prepare for a live performance/show?
Morgan: Lately I've enjoyed getting the band together and making sure we're all in a positive and focussed state of mind. Entertaining is about making sure every single person in the room enjoys themselves so we'll pick a couple of people in the audience that look impossible to impress and we'll do our best to rock their socks off!
Shea: Warming up my voice is the only “must do” that I have. My guitarist and I usually play some acoustic songs together to warm up as well as doing vocal exercises. The back of the bus is my private little area where I can do my makeup, hair and all the fun girly stuff to get all flashed up.
What is your greatest musical achievement?
Morgan: I was the 2nd Aussie ever (behind Keith Urban) to perform at LP Field in Nashville during the CMA Festival. ME and an acoustic guitar in front of 50, 000 people!
Shea: I don’t look at any one event as being a greatest achievement but each little step I have taken and each door that has opened has helped move me towards the end result of having a successful career as an entertainer. Some of the special things that have happened to me have been signing a record deal with ABC Music and finishing my second album in Nashville which will be released next year. I really feel I have grown as an artist and it is my best work yet. One of my most exciting moments was when my first single “Just the Excuse” made it to number 1 on CMC. The Country Music Channel is an amazing outlet for Australian Country artists to get their music heard and has played a big part in my career so far.
What does the song writing process involve? Any tips?
Morgan: It's different all the time. My tip would be to start with an idea for a melody, chord progression or a lyric you love and run with it as far as you can!
Shea: I usually have an idea or something happens during the day which can lead me to one line that will start a song. It most definitely depends on what mood I am in when I start writing as to the direction a song will go. I found when first starting to write songs it was good to co-write – find someone interested in the same thing and sit down together and see what flows. I always have a writing pad to write everything down even if it is only 2 lines to start with. And if it seems like you are stuck, set it aside for a bit and then come back and try again. A good English grade helps as writing a song is just like writing a good story.
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