Alan Ross Haynes is a witty singer and songwriter who is a true talent. He's out of studio now, his new CD Spiritual Journeys selling on CD Baby. Today he's talking with us about his work, inspirations and nicknames.
I wrote a song called “Gas Station Gizzards”. It is a humorous but realistic portrait of the area I worked in for years as a field biologist. I am of Southern heritage and yet worked on the McGovern presidential campaign. I call myself a “redneck leftist”. The gizzard song is a metaphor for my mixed, iconoclastic views.
You can say controversial things with humor and get people to listen to ideas that they would quickly reject otherwise. I loved Tom Lehrer’s work, The Chad Mitchell trio, and remain a huge fan of Randy Newman, the king of tongue-in-cheek.
Incorporating tongue-in-cheek humor into performances touches off a reaction in your audiences - has it ever gotten a surprise reaction? I didn’t expect people to dance to “Back In Vietnam.” David Roth told me that he loved to see the stunned look on some faces when I sing “Let’s Eat The Poor.”
Painstaking. I write the lyrics first, with a musical direction in mind. I re-write lyrics many times, and again once I start singing them. I re-write for clarity, emphasis, singability, and prosody- although I am a huge fan of anti-prosody. I know that being a musician can be draining. What do you do to recharge? I listen to my favorite music on my headphones. I read.
Learn music theory. The math is not difficult. Learn the recurring patterns that comprise the structure of music. It opens many doors. Listen to many musicians for inspiration and instruction.
You had an inspired childhood growing up in a musical household. What influences would you say have most shaped you into the performer you are today? My first influence was watching Rick Nelson on tv. I wanted to be the next Rick Nelson. I’m still waiting for it to happen (without the plane crash). Peter, Paul, and Mary had tremendous impact on my style development and direction. John Prine has been my biggest influence for decades.
I am most proud of serving in the music ministry at the Unity Church of Clearwater for six years. I am proud to have had my music played on broadcast and internet radio stations around the world, and to have been a featured artist on some… and to have had a song played on “Car Talk”, the nationally syndicated NPR show.
Yes. The awareness of the existence of Posi-Music is expanding. The alternative messages are a pleasant surprise to new listeners. There is a great appreciation for excellent musicians exploring non-traditional spiritual themes.
For me, Posi-Music is an affirmation of the omnipresent Goodness of God. It is an unfettered exploration of spiritual principles and how they can be applied to our daily lives. It is heartfelt inspiration, life-affirming and energizing. There is nothing like it.
Indeed, there's nothing else like it. Thank you for your time, Alan!
