Posted February 16, 201016 yr Just thought I'd post this chat she did for the Times Online a few days ago, I missed it originally. Thursday February 11, 2010 10:57 Michael Moran 11:00 Michael Moran: Welcome Beverly, thanks for joining us. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:00 Michael Moran 11:02 Thursday February 11, 2010 11:02 11:02 beverley knight: Hey Michael, it's a pleasure!!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:02 beverley knight 11:02 Michael Moran: Quite a few questions coming in from readers, but I have a couple of my own too! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:02 Michael Moran 11:02 Michael Moran: You rose to fame in an age, not so long ago, when people crafted their own careers in music rather than using talent shows as a springboard: Do you think you would have been tempted to appear on something like X Factor if it had been running in ’94? Do you think you could have enjoyed such a long and fruitful career if you had started with that kind of pressure? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:02 Michael Moran 11:04 beverley knight: i see that!!!to answer your question, there is no way i would have entered a show like X-factor. I knew the kind of career I wanted, and being the puppet of someone else was not it. It's been a hard road but I am glad I chose the path I did. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:04 beverley knight 11:05 Michael Moran: You come from quite a religious background, and I believe studied Theology before embarking on your music career: Do you think that’s helped to keep you grounded in a notoriously fickle and difficult business. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:05 Michael Moran 11:07 [Comment From Ian Ian: ]Which song would you play as your first dance at your wedding? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:07 Ian 11:08 [Comment From Juicy Juicy: ] Always been a big fan Bev. Great to see you back out there Thursday February 11, 2010 11:08 Juicy 11:08 beverley knight: Being from Wolverhampton has kept me grounded(!), as well as my earthy family and the fact that I completed my degree was a head-turner in this industry that uses stereotypes to sell records. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:08 beverley knight 11:09 [Comment From Bev fan Bev fan: ] What is your favourite song? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:09 Bev fan Thursday February 11, 2010 11:09 Times Online 11:10 beverley knight: my fave song ever is Sam Cooke's "a change gonna come". So positive and uplifting, sung by the father of Soul himself. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:10 beverley knight 11:11 Michael Moran: You’ve written a fair chunk of both your last couple of albums with superstar collaborator Guy Chambers haven’t you? Did you come away with any nifty little songwriting tricks that you can make your own? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:11 Michael Moran 11:12 [Comment From Bobby Soul Bobby Soul: ] good soul is like good cheese - it gets better with age Thursday February 11, 2010 11:12 Bobby Soul 11:13 beverley knight: Guy is a clever songwriter. He taught me to simplify my melodies so they become easier to the listener to be drawn in and sing along. the Way in which I deliver that melody is what makes it unique. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:13 beverley knight 11:13 [Comment From Janey Janey: ] What would be a good route into backing singing Thursday February 11, 2010 11:13 Janey 11:14 beverley knight: Bobby, i couldn't agree more; your texture, tone and rang improves with age IF you look after it!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:14 beverley knight 11:15 [Comment From Wendie Wendie: ] Do you plan to sign up other artists to your newly established Hurricane Record label at some point? I think it is great that you have taken control of your career in this way! Go girl! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:15 Wendie 11:17 beverley knight: I only ever did background vocals for myself on record, so I never began my career that way, but often singers join choirs like the London Community Gospel choir to get a good grounding, and to get contacts. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:17 beverley knight 11:18 Michael Moran: Chaka Khan’s on this latest record: Was that intimidating, working with such a musical ..and I don’t use this word often…legend? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:18 Michael Moran 11:18 beverley knight: thank you Wendie! I intend to sign artists to Hurricane when I can, that would be amazing!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:18 beverley knight 11:20 beverley knight: Chaka is indeed a legend!!! I was excited, rather than intimidated by Chaka. I was too busy being inspired to get scared!!!!!!! I love that woman, desperately under-appreciated here. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:20 beverley knight 11:20 [Comment From Russell Boland Russell Boland: ] Beverley, do you feel soul music has lost it's way to the rise of r&b, dance & myriad other genres from the 70's & eighties heyday of Stevie, Teddy, Roberta, EW&F & all the other greats from back then? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:20 Russell Boland 11:21 Thursday February 11, 2010 11:21 11:22 beverley knight: Ian, my first dance would be to something like "september" by Earth Wind and Fire!!! I would want something uptempo instead of a ballard!!!!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:22 beverley knight 11:22 beverley knight: Thank you for that Juicy! It's lovely to be back with new music!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:22 beverley knight 11:23 [Comment From Dan Dan: ] Hi Bev. Do you think the homophobia in many areas of music that you campaigned against is still as prevelent? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:23 Dan 11:26 beverley knight: Hello Russell, what has happened is radio's power to almost dictate to artists what they will play has forced many to make records that suit the sound of radio. If not, there's a major risk radio just won't play the songs. Result? Everyone sounding like Rihanna record rather than taking risks. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:26 beverley knight 11:27 Michael Moran: That's true: But then the mighty Radio 1 playlist committee has made & broken a good many careers in its time! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:27 Michael Moran 11:27 [Comment From Samantha Lyster Samantha Lyster: ] Beverly, just wanted to say love the fact that you're from the Midlands and showing the world that our home region can produce sophisticated and talented people as well as Ozzy Osbourne! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:27 Samantha Lyster 11:28 beverley knight: hey Dan, homophobia is still out there. Many artists don't care that their words cut like a sword. As long as they exist and people buy them, I'll be out there doing my best to stop it. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:28 beverley knight 11:29 beverley knight: Awww bless you Samantha!! thank you!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:29 beverley knight 11:30 [Comment From cj cj: ] your sooo gorgeous do you ever think of modeling Thursday February 11, 2010 11:30 cj 11:30 beverley knight: Ted I was terrified!!! I smiled alot to try to hide it! it sooo did NOT work! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:30 beverley knight 11:31 [Comment From Ted Ted: ] Hi Beverley, I was very impresed with your winning performance on Celebrity Mastermind. What was your secret to conquering the big black chair? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:31 Ted 11:31 Michael Moran: Apart from your well-documented enthusiasm for Prince, which other artists did you listen to before you got your own start in music? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:31 Michael Moran 11:32 beverley knight: Aww CJ!! Bless you but I am 5ft 3 and three quarters!!! I am however taking to the catwalk next week at Fashion for Relief for the White Ribbon Alliance charity. Wish me luck! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:32 beverley knight 11:33 Michael Moran: Naturally your most recent work is always going to be uppermost in your mind, but which one of your singles is your secret favourite? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:33 Michael Moran 11:34 beverley knight: By the way, I wanted to win Mastermind the minute I realised Michael Howard was taking part!! I wanted to whoop him!!! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:34 beverley knight 11:34 [Comment From cj cj: ] Hi Bev, would you ever do a stint in Las Vegas ?you are UK's numero uno Diva Thursday February 11, 2010 11:34 cj 11:36 beverley knight: CJ, I would do a Vegas stint if they asked me! Tina, Prince...Gladys, they have all done it, and i"d loved to follow in their footsteps. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:36 beverley knight 11:36 [Comment From Faith Faith: ] It's great to see you hoping to sign other artists. It always saddens me that some of our major megastars dont want to share or promote new emerging talent. Good on you! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:36 Faith 11:38 beverley knight: BRIDIE!!! I would ask Marianne Jean-Baptiste to play me. I think she's great! The woman who plays Julie Walter's daughter in "secrets and lies" Thursday February 11, 2010 11:38 beverley knight 11:39 Thursday February 11, 2010 11:39 11:40 beverley knight: Wendie, i love the idea of a coffee shop tour!!! Our Bev... unplugged, with a cup of tea!!! QUALITY!!!! And my mum's cake once I'm done! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:40 beverley knight 11:41 Michael Moran: We have dozens of questions stacked up for Beverley to answer: We will try to get to them all but I'm trying to trickle them through at a manageable rate so that she isn't overwhelmed - We will try to make sure all your questions get a response! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:41 Michael Moran 11:43 [Comment From Esmeralda Esmeralda: ] What barriers did you face when creating your make up line? Was the industry receptive to you? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:43 Esmeralda 11:44 beverley knight: hey Faith, what gets me is that when this current crop of short-term artist have had their time, in steam another load, and another, and we get ever diminishing returns in terms of quality. We need investment in decent artist who win stand the test of time. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:44 beverley knight 11:47 beverley knight: Hey Esmerelda, I launched the line as i felt that there was simply not enough choice for women of colour. Most ranges don't go dark enough, and when some try, the tones are off. The colours are then left on the shelf and the mistaken belief is held that darker women don't want to wear make-up. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:47 beverley knight 11:47 [Comment From Charlotte Charlotte: ] Hi Bev, do you have a personal motto that keeps you going in life? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:47 Charlotte 11:48 [Comment From John Son John Son: ] Still Bevvy from the block! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:48 John Son 11:48 beverley knight: Hey Charlotte, I wrote a song years back called "never forever". the opening line, "the sky is never black, merely midnight blue" is what i hold on to when things are tough. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:48 beverley knight 11:49 Michael Moran: Which young singers do you have your eye on? Who do you listen to for fun? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:49 Michael Moran 11:51 beverley knight: John Son!! that's me! I think folk around you change when you come by success, just as much as you yourself may change. In Wolves, people treat me as "our Bev". love it! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:51 beverley knight 11:53 beverley knight: Michael, i listen to La Roux who I love, and The Noisettes are fantastic too. I did really like "Beat Again by JLS"... is that so wrong?! Thursday February 11, 2010 11:53 beverley knight 11:53 Michael Moran: Not ENTIRELY wrong... Thursday February 11, 2010 11:53 Michael Moran 11:54 [Comment From Pedro Pedro: ] Music is almost becoming "donateware" as its freely avaliable on blogs and torrent sites for free buy if you really like the artist. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:54 Pedro 11:54 [Comment From Pedro Pedro: ] Whats the solution? educate kids on the virtues of paying for music or record labels offering a low price model? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:54 Pedro 11:55 beverley knight: LOL!!!! I thought it was so well-written and clever. Wayne Hector who is a top Brit songwriter, composed it. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:55 beverley knight 11:58 beverley knight: Pedro, it's a tricky one. physical sales have plummented year in year out and you can't stop the tidal wave of sites offering free music. We have a generation of kids who think is weird to actually BUY music. Education is needed for sure, coupled with lower priced models where the price is the same across the board at retail. Thursday February 11, 2010 11:58 beverley knight 11:58 Michael Moran: Looks like 'Come As You Are' seems to be Times Readers' favourite BK tune: Which one's your own special song? Thursday February 11, 2010 11:58 Michael Moran 12:00 beverley knight: My fave song of my own is probably "gold". i needed that song when i wrote it, i needed a tonic and I thank God every day for it. "Come as you are" is what i call a BK killer live!!! it's similar in vibe to Soul Survivor too! Thursday February 11, 2010 12:00 beverley knight 12:00 [Comment From Wendie Wendie: ] Big thanks to the Times for organising this chat and of course, to our lovely Bev for giving her time! Lots of love x Thursday February 11, 2010 12:00 Wendie 12:00 [Comment From Wendie Wendie: ] Sad news about the death of Sir John Dankworth this week. He has left an amazing legacy though, and The Stables in Milton Keynes, as a venue and educational establishment is a great part of that. Would you like to venture into something along those lines, a place to learn music as well as be entertained? Maybe in Wolverhampton? Thursday February 11, 2010 12:00 Wendie 12:02 beverley knight: My pleasure Wendie! the Stables is another great idea, we have a flegling version of it in Wolves called the Sam Sharpe project. it's wonderful! Thursday February 11, 2010 12:02 beverley knight 12:02 Michael Moran: Thanks so much for taking part Beverley, you've been great: And thanks everyone for taking part too. Sorry we couldn't get to all your questions - maybe we can lure Beverley back next time she's available - I think there's a tour in the spring isn't there Beverly? There are lots more live events at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/live_debate/ take a look! Thursday February 11, 2010 12:02 Michael Moran 12:03 [Comment From cj cj: ] Wishing u luck.! Thursday February 11, 2010 12:03 cj 12:04 beverley knight: Thank you so much everyone!! I am on the road in spring again, come and see me do what i do best i think!!!!!!! http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle7022134.ece It might be a bit hard to follow, but my favourite bit is "Hello Russell, what has happened is radio's power to almost dictate to artists what they will play has forced many to make records that suit the sound of radio. If not, there's a major risk radio just won't play the songs. Result? Everyone sounding like Rihanna record rather than taking risks." Ooft what a dig. :kink:
February 16, 201016 yr Oooh thanks for putting this up Aaron. Love her Radio dig, an excellent point made which will probably end up as a DS article in a few months time.
February 16, 201016 yr Author Oooh thanks for putting this up Aaron. Love her Radio dig, an excellent point made which will probably end up as a DS article in a few months time. Oh definitely! :lol: EXCLUSIVE: BEVERLEY KNIGHT slams RIHANNA!
February 17, 201016 yr Author :lol: I laughed at that bit too, shes so lovely on interviews. Yeah, she is. Truthful as well, clearly. But she definitely has a point. It's hard to get airplay these days unless you've got the 'in' sound. :/
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