Gail Sparlin – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.
RRX: What was the very first reaction to your music, from the first person to ever hear so much as a practice jam or the demo of your first song?
GS: The reaction was encouragement. I was in college and I used one of my songs as part of a project. The reaction from the class was a big surprise. I wasn’t expecting such positivity about the song. I was an art major at the time. It was one of the reasons I switched my major to music. I have been playing guitar since I was twelve and started writing songs in my twenties. My family had monthly gatherings of twenty to thirty family members and there was always a sing along. Me, my brother Scott, my Dad, and my cousin Loretta lead the way. My brother has had a band since the 70’s. But I was an artist. It didn’t occur to me to be a professional musician. The attention that my songs started bringing encouraged me to switch. I am a people person. I love to chit chat. Art is solitary. So, I switched my college major to music and became a music teacher and area performer. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
RRX: “The best laid plans of mice and men…” I don’t really know the quote, but I know this one; sh*t happens. When we least expect it, calamity befalls us. Sometimes just comic inconvenience. Please tell us a story about some comic inconvenience that happened to you whilst performing?
GS: I wrote a play/musical in 2014 about growing up in a bar, which I did. It was titled Pokegama Hotel, the actual name of the bar. On one evening of the show, the sound gave out for about 5 minutes. The actors stopped briefly, but then resumed their acting and singing. They were shouting. The audience started laughing. Fortunately, whatever stopped the sound gave way and the mics began working again. The actors were still speaking loudly, but then they heard themselves. Then they began laughing, but only for a moment. The play continued on and it was a success. But that was a nervous moment!
RRX: My singer punched my drummer out. Memorable moment, though nothing to brag about. But we have these things that, when summing up your endeavor, an incident comes to mind. What do you got?
GS: I went to school for sound engineering and it was part of what I taught. In my teaching career, I frequently invited area bands to perform for my students and show them what it’s like to be a musician and part of a band. Sometimes, certain men in the band would not trust my stage skills and make remarks such as, “Where’s the sound techs,” assuming I didn’t know what I was doing because I was a woman. They eventually stopped being critical when they saw me and my students being capable sound techs. I just smiled at them and kept on working.
RRX: We have to play somewhere, and sometimes those places have more going for them than a stage and a power outlet. What is a memorable place you played, and bonus points if it’s not a well-known place.
GS: Caffe Lena. You walk in with your guitar and the rest is waiting for you, including a piano. It’s a studio with a stage. I have performed there several times. It is truly an awesome experience. One of my favorites.
RRX: Playing out is tricky because you never know what’s going to happen when you get there. Sometimes everything goes wrong. What was your worst show like?
GS: I think my worst shows are at places where nobody listens. After doing bar gigs for 30 years, it is hard to look out and see nobody paying attention. But, that’s the deal most times. That is part of the reason why I started my Swamp Lily Charity Hour. You have an audience that is there to listen. And, help out local charities.
RRX: Would you rather have one of your songs blow up and make you a one-hit wonder and household name, or would you rather have all your songs be solidly received, but no chart-climbers? (You have to pick one or the other here.)
GS: At this stage in my life, I am happy with my songs being solidly received. The Capital District, including Saratoga, has an awesome music scene. There are so many wonderful musicians and there are so many places that take on music. And, we have WEXT radio that plays local music. That is not a common thing. It is such a gift to be a musician in this area. Truly. I’m happy doing what I do.