Switch... Claudia can you tell us, how you came to be the singer for Trailer Park Trash?
Claudia... I started singing in the church choir. Then when I was in high school, I joined the school choir. I just loved singing. When I was grown, a bunch of us girls went out together to a karoke bar. When I saw ordinary people up on stage singing, having a good time and not really even caring if they did it perfect or not... I wanted to try it, but I was embarassed to get up in front of all those people.
Also, I didn't know if I would freeze up... if I did get on stage. After a couple of drinks, I started feeling brave and decided to give it a try. In a few minutes, I forgot about everything, but singing the song. After that, whenever I was at a place that had karoke, nobody had to urge me. I wanted to get up and sing. Pretty soon people would recognize me and want me to sing.
Claudia... Robbie had heard me sing karoke and when a spot came open in the Trailer Park, he persuaded me to join... lol.. didn't take much, because I want to sing. I didn't know a lot about working with live musicians, but Robbie said he would show me the ins and outs. He's really a good teacher and taught me a lot. He's also excellent at covering mistakes I make, with the guitar... And believe me in the beginning, I made a lot of mistakes.. LOL
Switch... What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Claudia...I like the Eagles, Norah Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker, Gretchen Wilson, and Of course others as old as Patsy Cline, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennigs, Kid Rock.... I could go on and on. I like a lot of different kinds of music and artists.
Switch... Tell us about your first time on stage.
Claudia... My first gig!!! Oh wow..I was shaking and sweating. I actually thought I was gonna throw up... but I made it thru fine. Now I love being on stage. Really, I love everything about it. The shopping for outfits, the getting dressed. It puts you in the mood... LOL .. Sorta like foreplay. lol..
I still get nervous before every gig, though. Thoughts run thru my head like "Are they gonna like it?" .. "Are they gonna clap or laugh?".. but after the first few songs, I'm in another world. I get this smooth, easy feeling and I'm going with the flow of energy, from the people in the audience. Oh course it helps, if I've had a few shots of Southern Comfort...lol.
Switch... Do you pick out someone in the audience to sing to?
Claudia... No, I don't want to play favorites. Also, I don't want somebody getting drunk and coming up on stage. I just concentrate on the music, look at the audience as a whole and try to keep a watch on Robbie and Tony for cues.
Switch... Most little girls daydream about being on stage one way or another. It's only natural that when they grow up and those dreams are far behind... that they would be curious about someone, who did make it to the stage. Can you share some of your thoughts, on being a woman of the stage?
Claudia... I love being a woman in this biz. I feel we have a leg up on the men, so to speak...lol.There aren't that many bands around with women in them, now a days. So a group that has one, tends to stand apart from the others. Club owners want a band that can do variety of songs and with a female in the band, you can do that!
Switch... There is one other thing, Claudia... Joe says hi and he is still waiting. Something about hell freezing over.. LOL.. You want to comment on that?
Claudia... LOL...Joe. You're gonna get us both killed ...LOL.
Switch, do you know if he's still got that old white limo, with the cowhorns on the hood? LOL
Switch...They tell me he has an old raggedy a** pick up truck, but with him you never know..lol
Claudia, it's been a pleasure talking with you. Thanks for the interview and good luck with your singing career.