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Roof-less Interrogator
Marla Lewis––
Singer, Songwriter & Teacher
and she's talking with Oliver, the Roofless Interrogator
by PKelly on Apr 14, 2005
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Hoo-boy! Marla Lewis! If you thought I was going to miss out on interviewing Marla Lewis you'd be crazy! And I didn't even have to skulk about in the bushes or wear a disguise to get this one. She likes dogs! She also writes great songs, sings beautifully, and if I ever had as fine a teacher when I was in obedience school I'm sure I wouldn't have flunked out. At least not so quickly. So, cozy up to your screen. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE'S MARLA!  Here's Marla at 5!
And check out Marla's song––
We All Laugh In The Same Language
RI: The world is made of two kinds of people––cat people and dog people. Now, answer truthfully, Marla. Which kind are you?
ML: Both. I have two dogs that have been rescued from the pound. Skippy is a show-off who makes me laugh and Lucky is the best soccer player in the world. When kids knock on our door, they ask, "Is Lucky home?" They play for hours! Lucky is GOOD! We also have six feral cats that we have been feeding for years. We had them spayed and neutered when we discovered that our whole neighborhood was suddenly being overrun by kittens! We had the tiny ones adopted, but the six that remained were too old to tame. So we feed them and love them, but they won't let us pet them!
RI: If you could only give one message to your audience, what would it be?
ML: Be kind and loving to others. Also, Do what you love and love what you do!
RI: You seem to have a wonderful knack for writing songs that teach but don’t preach. What’s your secret?
ML: Thanks, Oliver...I don't know what my secret is! The only thing I can say is that I write and re-write and re-write until I am finally satisfied. Edison was right -- genius really IS 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration! Persistence makes the difference between a good work and a great one.
RI: Pete Seeger loved your song, “We All Laugh in the Same Language” ––a great tribute from a great man. Did you grow up listening to his music? Any experiences to tell us about?
ML: I was a real "folknik" as a kid. I started to play guitar when I was 13, and loved all Pete's songs. I sang protest songs at all the coffee houses and hootenannys, wore sandals -- you know, all the things you had to do if you were a true folksinger. More recently, one day I was looking in my PO box, and amid the usual advertisements I found a postcard handwritten in red ink. When I saw the return address -- Pete Seeger -- I shrieked with delight all over the post office. His kind words are now framed and smile down upon me as I write this.
RI: You write songs in a wide variety of styles. How did you ever learn them all so well?
ML: Guest musicians sure help! Time also helps. These songs were written over a period of several years and incorporate lots of my life experience. I have always loved music from all over the world. The amazing thing is that I can hear the songs in my head before I even play them.
RI: By the way, I’m a dog who loves to Cha-Cha!
ML: You know, Oliver, I have a song about an ostrich that loves to cha-cha. Would you like to dance?
RI: Just let me get my blue suede shoes and some feathers on!
RI: Okay, a little off topic here–– but why don’t people turn around three times before they lie down the way we dogs do?
ML: Hmmm, never thought about that one! Did you know, though, that humans change position while they are sleeping about 35 times a night?
RI:It says on your website (www.marlalewis.com) that you started writing songs when you were 12 years old. Do you remember one that you can tell us about here?
ML: Sure. My first song was called, "Hopeless Love" <sigh>. I was so thrilled! I thought it was a sure fire hit until I realized one day that the melody was too much like "All I Have To Do Is Dream" by the Everly Brothers. I still sing it today. It makes me smile.
RI: What advice would you give to all the would-be singers and songwriters out there?
ML: Love what you do, learn all you can, practice, write, re-write and re-write again!
RI: What’s the greatest thing for you about teaching?
ML: I teach elementary school kids, and I love to watch them figure things out. When that light bulb flashes above their heads and they say, "I got it!" I am most delighted.
RI: And what’s the greatest thing about teaching in New York City?
ML: I like the diversity -- Hispanic, Asian, Indian, German, Italian....lots more. We have so much to learn from each other!
RI: My last two questions are, 1) What is the one thing that I’ve left out of this interview that you just have to say?
ML: Just, thanks so much, Ollie, for taking the time to interview me!
RI: And 2) Can I have your autograph? (sigh)
ML: It's attached. Can I have yours?
RI: OoohWOOF!
If you enjoyed this Roofless Interrogator interview perhaps you'll also like
The "Sho, Mo & The Monkey Bunch" Interview
Fred Penner
Eddie Coker
Richard Durrant
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