Published: May 25, 2010 1:00 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA
(Juniorscave.com)

New Music Spotlight
June 2010 Edition

Craig DeMetz 

Singer/Songwriter Craig DeMetz speaks candidly about growing up being extremely shy and unable to truly express who he is especially when it came to the opposite sex. Now, the artist passionately is able to express who he is through his wonderful music that will leave music lovers breathless. Check out our recent online conversation that our Webzine completed with the artist. Here is what developed. Enjoy!

Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs off your new EP/CD. What was the inspiration for making your new album?

Craig: I feel like I truly have a very unique story to tell. I was extremely SHY in school, more than everyone there at all.  My inspiration for most of my songs comes straight from very pretty school girls who waited for me with such signals and signs- and even then I would not respond. "And though I never let on, how I could hear her song. . ." is from a song about the one in my senior year- and the culmination of it all. It was love at first sight as much as ever, but again I was an immovable stone.

She got so frustrated by the end of the semester, that she (in a quiet, full classroom); blurted out: "Is Craig here today?!"  All her signs to me just blew me away, and the songs I wrote after are very emotional; kind of like the Baby’s et al.

I mean, she said and did all these things in front of her PEERS; without me responding at all. Thus, after (even...) graduation day...;I just poured out these songs which (still) has these girls way up on a pedestal- where I know they belonged (and always will for me at least). . . .

Isaac: Who were your influences?

Craig: At first, Neil Diamond for live performances. - and Dan Fogelberg for songwriting. Heck, I even got into the Broadway Evita album then. My biggest influence is Billy Joel; and also the Mac, Abba, ELO, and more.

Isaac: What do you consider to be your high point(s) and low point(s) to date?

Craig: I've had about 7 or 8 times of performing (mostly singing) in my life that I call "my bright spots".

It was singing a song or two (usually not mine) where my whole performance was just magical.

It was then at those times that I took my turn saying (to myself): 'THIS is exactly what I was meant to do'; and 'it is bliss'. My singing was like it was totally not me; if you can understand that.

My first bright spot was in the 3rd grade standing on one of the tables singing a cappella. And the ladies in the cafeteria and teachers had me stay to sing for the second lunch to sing them again and miss class. I'm glad that my musical idol had somewhat of a similar experience!

Another high point is that I've been the #1 album played on a FM radio station for years (since submitting it). I get a kick out of that: it's the only station I'd EVER submitted to; and not only do they play a dozen songs of mine- but I'm the #1 album played on the station (among 1200 albums)!  More deets on WQRZ 103.5 FM in Mississippi is at www.craigdemetz.com/.

My low point would have to be getting so old and still not be successful; before and at this point...

Isaac: Brief history about your background and the style of music you play.

Craig: A lot of people say, "Oh, yea; there are many kids who are painfully shy in school." But not like this. I mean; in class- when we were divided up into small groups- even the shyest eventually spoke up. I never did. And the fact that these half a dozen girls throughout school waited with such sensitivity (to me) - after me being cold to them for so long-really still blows me right out of the galaxy. 

My style of music I'm not good at identifying; but others have said I sound like Alan Parsons Project (yay!), Lindsay Buckingham, Billy Joel (no jive), and even Eric Clapton on one song. Yaaay! My heroes!

Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?

Craig: I follow all these unsigned artists on MySpace. They're really very talented. Whenever I'd go to Highland Grounds, Genghis Cohen, etc. to see someone live, I never accepted a CD without insisting I pay for it. One of the themes of my musical history is watching my musician/songwriter friends and brother still not make it no matter how amazingly talented they were.  I've been stunned for decades.

And now, this century it seems unsigned artists are as good as ever (and still totally being passed up!!). I've been walking around with my jaw dropped open for over the last quarter of a century. I listen to the Hot AC and Classic Rock stations and am actually frightened that everything is either guitar-based or today's R&B, which is quite hip-hoppy. No keyboard-based bands. I mean; where are the Keane's of the US? Other than Maroon Five and maybe one or two others, they seem as rare as a diamond. My gosh, look at the variety in the 1970's: Supertramp, Led Zepplin, Abba, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers. Each pair I listed includes a keyboard-based band, and then a guitar-based band, etc. You can go on and on. The Beach Boys, the Beatles. . . .

Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?

Craig: My only album "Tribute" is available on CD Baby; and apparently several other places. It's a 15 song CD for a discounted price, esp. at www.craigdemetz.com. Mostly, I'm at www.myspace.com/cragdemetz (without the 'i'). There's links on the MySpace. I also have 4 song CD's and can also be contacted at 818-800-9800.

Thank you, Isaac; for all your help with us unsigned artists. Thanks much for the interview.

Isaac: Message to your fans?

Craig: Even though I'm not performing live right now, I'm not standing still.  I've, a few years ago; taken up the colossal task of learning how to play classical music (on piano). I don't want to just play chords (or flowery stuff using chords) like I did in church back in the '90's. And even though I'm so old a singer/songwriter; I'm a spiritual person and believe my day will come.