Interview with Donny Anderson!

Image coming soon!

For those people that don't know you, introduce yourself.

Hey! I'm Donny Anderson, I'm 19, and I'm a Canuck country singer. Apparently, to southerners, I say 'eh' a lot, but hey, I AM CANADIAN! : I love what I do, and I can't see myself doing anything else. Destination Nashville all the way, baby! I love it! Hmmm… what else can I tell you? I'm finishing up my last year of high school (OAC, which is like Grade 13 in Ontario… we have to have it to get into Canadian Universities!), and I'm really loud. I always get: "Indoor voice, Donny, indoor voice!" Also, I like to think of myself as unavoidable…people mistake that as being annoying… but at least they'll never forget me! :

You opened for Terri Clark. What was that like and how did you get that opportunity?

I can't tell you what an amazing experience that was. Man. I had the best time of my life. Terri was so gracious with letting me do that and all, and let me tell you, she's the absolute nicest, funniest, most sincere person in the whole world. She's fantastic. I don't think she'll ever really realize how much I appreciated that she's let me do that. It's such an amazing thing, since I am only an independent artist without a major label or any hits in my background. What a girl she is. Go see her, if you ever get the chance. That girl ROCKS!

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Loud, Outgoing, Unavoidable, Sincere, Quirky.

If you could put one thing in a time capsule what would it be?

I think that I would put time itself in a time capsule. There are just so many things to do, and not enough time. Yeah, that's what I'd do. I'd want to make sure I could preserve enough time to do anything and everything I've ever dreamed of!

Where can we get music from you? Any plans to release a single or album?

You can get contact information about ordering CD's and music from my site, www.donnyanderson.com. Right now, we don't have any big distribution deals, so you have to get the music directly from me ! I'm working hard on cutting demos right now, for an all original album…I'm not sure of a time frame of when it could be done, or what is even going to be on it, but check the site for details. Some of the stuff I'm working on, I really, truly love.

Who are your musical influences?

I have so many! I love so many different people for so many different reasons. Instead of explaining them all, I'll just give you a big list of all the people I admire:

The Wilkinsons, LeAnn Rimes, Terri Clark, Phil Vassar, Bryan White, Cyndi Thomson, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Frank Sinatra, John Mayer, Brian McKnight, Garth…there's SO many more that I love because of personality, writing, and so many more things…I'll just leave it at that short list, so I don't bore you all to death!

Can you play any instruments?

I can play guitar, and piano. I was taught by an incredible teacher/musician named Wally Koekebakker. He has so much more talent in his little finger than I probably ever will in my whole life. I dabble a bit in piano, which I taught myself. Don't worry though…I'm no Mozart! Haha!

Do you write any of your own music?

I've started to write a LOT of my own music… I've been working with a lot of great people and creating a bunch of really great music! I can't wait for everyone to hear the songs! I'm really proud of where I'm going with my music, and how I'm developing as a singer and writer. I hope we can get it all out to the public really soon!

Since you are becoming more recognized by the media and such do you feel a lot of pressure to try and change your image?

Actually, this is a cool question for me to answer! I feel like I had more pressure at the beginning, when I really wasn't recognized, to act a certain way, and to look a certain way. I felt like I was being made up into something I was not. I think since I've become more comfortable, and confident with growing up, I was more respected to do what I wanted to with the way I dress and act, and make my own image decisions, rather than when I was younger and listening to other people. I think the age factor, and how mature and determined you are in regards to the business, depends on a lot of whether or not the media can affect how you dress or act.

What's the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you onstage?

Well, I swallowed a bug once, and choked while I was singing, although, I don't think that's really embarrassing. It was just gross! I can't remember any REALLY embarrassing times other than when I tripped on the stage. I got up and told everyone that it was planned. They all laughed. I said, "Why are you laughing? It really was planned, so that you would laugh!" I know it doesn't seem that funny, but it was REALLY funny at the time…I guess you had to be there! Haha!

What was the worst gig you ever played?

Hmmm… the worst gig… I don't think I've had an absolutely HORRIBLE gig where something bad has happened to me. I have had a bunch of gigs where I've been sick, or I've lost my voice, so I guess that could count as the 'worst gigs', since it really sucks when you know you are not being able to put across your best, when you always want to give 110%.

What one piece of advice do you try to follow and who gave it to you?

Don't ever give up. If it's in your heart, you'll never lose it, and if you give up on what your heart says, you'll give up what you truly love…my mom told me that! : My mom also told me that there is never anyone who is better than another in this world, just people who are better at different things than other people…I love that, because it makes so much sense to me. It makes me respect the talents of others SO much more.

What artist would you like to collaborate with?

There's so many! I would LOVE to work with the Wilkinsons, Brian McKnight, Terri Clark, LeAnn Rimes, Phil Vassar, Cyndi Thomson, Kenny Chesney, and Martina McBride. There's obviously so many more, but those are my main ones!

What are your plans for the future and is college included?

I'm working on finishing school, and then I'm going to take a year off. I really want to move to Nashville and see what I can get going. That would be such a cool adventure! I will absolutely go to college and take some courses. I will probably take something having to do with production or music business, or even some sort of business degree. Right now, I really want to concentrate full time on making my music, and getting a deal, because that's truly where my heart is. I know that if I follow it, everything might fall into place (even if it's going to college!)

If you weren't singing what would you want to do for a living?

I don't think I'm really good at anything other than singing! Haha… there's nothing else that really that interests me as much as music does. I would probably do something in the business, or something dealing with the music industry if I wasn't singing. I would definitely be doing something in the business!

Are you single and what do you look for in a girl?

I'm currently single! I love it!! I'm not really looking at the moment, though they tell me that that's when love hits you…when you're not looking. Mostly, there are only a few things that I absolutely look for in a girl. Honesty/Openness is really important to me, because I'd want her to feel like she could tell me anything. I would want her to be a good communicator, and not hold anything back, regardless of the circumstances. Being honest and open makes communicating easy. I would want her to be quirky. She'd have to dance to the beat of a different drum…almost unpredictable. I'd want her to be fun-loving, and to be free-spirited, and down-to-earth. I would also want a girl who is very personable; that you could you could walk right up to and hug.

Who are your favorite bands?

Punk Bands? Country Bands? I love lots of different bands! I love going to punk concerts. It's so energizing! My twin brother is in a wicked pop-punk band called "Undecided". He's the drummer. These boys ROCK…you GOTTA check 'em out. Their site is www.undecided.ca. You all have to watch out for them, because they're going to be HUGE in the industry!

What do you like to do for fun?

Lotsa stuff! I love hanging out with my friends and partying it up! I don't get to do that very often, so it's really awesome when I get to do that! I also love going to concerts, and seeing and hearing bands that I wouldn't normally listen to, or bands that I've never heard of before. I get to hear some of the greatest music that way. I also love writing songs, and playing on instruments. I also like to buy things…It's not called shopping…boys don't go 'shopping' … lol.

Do you support the Toronto Maple Leafs and if so are you nuts?

Of course! I'm Canadian!!!!! That's not a fair question to ask if I'm nuts or not. All of us Canadian are nuts in many ways! We just root for the right team, that's all! I don't think I'll show my friend Judy this question… she'd flip on you! I've never seen a girl more involved in hockey! She's GREAT! LOL… You can't take down HER Leafs!

What's your favorite kind of Jell-O?

GREEN!!!!! A lot of people think it's gross, but man, I LIVE for that stuff! Haha! I also like the blue kind…

Any messages to your fans?

You guys have been SO great to me with your support. I don't think you'll ever realize how much I appreciate it! It's so hard for a new artist of any kind to establish themselves in the business, and the only way to do it is through the fans. You guys are more important that anything else in this business, and for the support you've given me, I'll never forget it. You all are fantastic, and I thank you sincerely for your support from the bottom of my heart!

If you would like to contact Donny you can email him at info@donnyanderson.com or to find out more visit his website at http://www.donnyanderson.com

*Thanks so much for letting us interview you! Best of luck in the future, we hope you make it big you deserve it!