Singing along with Cindy and Becky

Since it's music month, we're asking authors all about everything music related. We're also answering some of these questions. Put on your headphones and listen to some tunes with Cindy and Becky!

Cindy:

Favorite male vocalist:
Frank Sinatra

Favorite female vocalist:
Barbra Streisand

Music that has a chick lit feel: The Go-Go's

Favorite rap song:
Sugarhill Gang, "Rapper's Delight"

Song you're proud to know all the lyrics to:
Again...Sugarhill Gang, "Rapper's Delight"

Have you ever met a famous singer (rock star, opera, Broadway, etc.)?
I got to spend time with Liza Minnelli in her dressing room as she prepared for her one-woman show at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach. It was quite surreal.

Music that inspired you to write:
Led Zeppellin's "Black Dog" inspired me to write about Charley getting fired in "Viewer Discretion Advised."

Song that annoys you:
"Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves ... there is NO WAY you can dance to it!

Song which reminds you most of your teenage years:
Aerosmith's music

Becky:

Favorite female vocalist:
Karen Carpenter. I was very young when Karen died. It was years later when I sat down to watch The Karen Carpenter Story on TV when I was 11 that I fell in love instantly with the music and Karen's amazing voice, and I started listening to my mum's LP's. I've been a huge fan of the Carpenters ever since, I even paid homage to them by visiting Downey and Karen's final resting place a few years ago. Each time I listen to their music I get a sore throat from singing along, the lyrics stay with me. After years of avoiding tribute acts like the plague I finally went to see one a few months ago - although the voice could never be the same, she was pretty good, and there was such a jovial atmosphere when the uptempo songs were played I really wish I could have seen the real deal live back in the day!

Favorite male vocalist:
Paolo Nutini. For anyone who isn't aware of him, Paolo is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician who has had two AMAZING albums out so far. His last album Sunny Side Up is one of my absolute favourites, can't tire of it, it's a feel good album. I've seen him live a couple of times now and it's definitley worthwhile. You Tube him if you don't know of him :)

Has a song ever inspired you to write? If so, which one?
I wouldn't say 'a' song, but any Simon and Garfunkel song really. They're up there with the Carpenters for me really. I often listen to them on car journeys and listening to the lyrics and their harmonies just makes me picture stories in my head, it gives me a buzz. I actually feel most inspired to write a musical using their songs, but don't think I'd be allowed!

Favorite Broadway song:
Charlene, "(I've) Never Been to Me." Ok, I have loved this song for years, it's one of my all time favourites but seeing it in Priscilla Queen of the Desert gave it new life! Priscilla... is my favourite musical of all time, I wish it hadn't closed in London, twice wasn't enough for me!

Best boy band of all time:

"Come on, come on, come on, come on Take That and party!" I'm not sure if US/Canadian followers will know much of Take That? Take That are a group of five northern lads who dominated the pop world in the UK (and many other places) in the early to mid-nineties. I LOVED them, I was a Take That bore, I remember watching a video of one of their live shows every day after school, never getting bored, I even sent Robbie Williams (who was my favourite) some worry dolls for his birthday once (seems a bit weird looking back, but he did say he couldn't sleep!), funnily enough I never heard back. After Take That broke up in 1996, I was sad but not heartbroken, Robbie had left by then, I had a boyfriend. But then they got back together ten years later and are are still going strong, the lead singer Gary Barlow is very much the nation's sweetheart (he does a lot of charity stuff, and also replaced Simon Cowell as X Factor judge here). Initially they were back together as a four piece, then Robbie re-joined them for a year and I was so happy to see them on the first night of their stadium tour last summer, all friends again! It was amazing, as a teenage fan it was just what I wanted to see. Their songs have been top quality since they re-formed too.

Favourite Country Song:
I’m not a fan of country music per se but I do like Dolly! So it would have to be Jolene!

Guilty Pleasure?
Erm, Jedward. I love them and protect them as if they were my own nephews. They were on The X Factor in the UK a few years ago, and even though they’re not the best singers they’re doing really well and onto their third album and have represented Ireland at Eurovision for the past two years. They are mad as hatters, and make me laugh a lot.

Have you ever played an instrument? If so, which one? If not, is there something you'd want to learn?
I only ever played the recorder at school. In another life, I’d like to play the violin (inspired by Claudia Salinger from Party of Five) and the drums (inspired by Karen Carpenter) and also be Paul Simon’s percussionist, when I saw him live it seemed like he had a great job!