Beyond the Dark Horizon: Who are your influences?
Amy Schugar: It depends. Vocally, it’s Jeff Tate and Rob Halford.
Guitar wise, would be David Boerst who inspires me and still does to this
day, Shawn Lane, Doug Stapp, Randy Rhoads, Steve Via, and Joe
Satriani. Now, Joe is fantastic and making the guitar sing and coming up
with nice melody lines that everyone can sing with and sway to!
Guitar wise, would be David Boerst who inspires me and still does to this
day, Shawn Lane, Doug Stapp, Randy Rhoads, Steve Via, and Joe
Satriani. Now, Joe is fantastic and making the guitar sing and coming up
with nice melody lines that everyone can sing with and sway to!
BTDH: You have songwriting collaborations with Michael Schenker.
Explain more on how this came about and what the result has been like?
Explain more on how this came about and what the result has been like?
AMY: It came about with my being prepared and the opportunity coming
about- I met him at an Eric Johnson concert. I did not know it was him for
the longest time, and I was playing and singing with Erics Strat back
stage. The result has been as Michael had wanted it to be- and that was
the chance for my being heard and for the opportunity to release the
music and words inside of me and ideas that I had for a long time about
life, family. The result is now I am treated with a bit more respect and
doors opened more so, naturally. Result is opportunities that one
about- I met him at an Eric Johnson concert. I did not know it was him for
the longest time, and I was playing and singing with Erics Strat back
stage. The result has been as Michael had wanted it to be- and that was
the chance for my being heard and for the opportunity to release the
music and words inside of me and ideas that I had for a long time about
life, family. The result is now I am treated with a bit more respect and
doors opened more so, naturally. Result is opportunities that one
normally would not receive otherwise. I feel very blessed for the support that has been shown, and
thankful to Michael to open that door-now it is up to me, not to fail and move forward. Despite setbacks, I
still try to move forward.
thankful to Michael to open that door-now it is up to me, not to fail and move forward. Despite setbacks, I
still try to move forward.
BTDH: Are there any videos of your music?
AMY: Actually, yes, there are. One is a Montage, that I recently somehow misplaced! And the other is
on DVD that I have hidden away.
on DVD that I have hidden away.
BTDH: What guitars do you play with and what endorsement deals do you currently have?
AMY: : I am a Hodge podge mixture of guitars. Each one is special in its own way! Daisy Rock makes a
great guitar for the price, and Gary Brawer (Joe Satriani, Neal Schons guitar tech/repair man in San
Fransisco) saw the work done on the particular model I have and was impressed. I love Ibanez and use
that one a lot, also, a custom one I designed, then my 1973 Strat, which I do not use much, but was set
up wonderfully By David Boerst. I have Floyde Rose, Daisy Rock, D'Addario Strings and few others,
Seymour Duncan, Keeley. All that is great, but I need to be out playing more and touring.
great guitar for the price, and Gary Brawer (Joe Satriani, Neal Schons guitar tech/repair man in San
Fransisco) saw the work done on the particular model I have and was impressed. I love Ibanez and use
that one a lot, also, a custom one I designed, then my 1973 Strat, which I do not use much, but was set
up wonderfully By David Boerst. I have Floyde Rose, Daisy Rock, D'Addario Strings and few others,
Seymour Duncan, Keeley. All that is great, but I need to be out playing more and touring.
BTDH: Do you find it harder being a female in this male dominated music world, to be taken as a
leading guitar player?
leading guitar player?
AMY: Mmm yes and no.. I think it is easier to be treated with respect if a girl is not wearing a bathing
suit, or showing themselves in order to get the attention, but focuses mainly on the actually playing and
the melodic structure of the SONG itself. That is just me; just my opinion. Many girls are showing the
legs and thighs and breasts like a Tyson Farms commercial and it may work for them, but not for me. So
I am not putting anyone down, just not for me any of that.
suit, or showing themselves in order to get the attention, but focuses mainly on the actually playing and
the melodic structure of the SONG itself. That is just me; just my opinion. Many girls are showing the
legs and thighs and breasts like a Tyson Farms commercial and it may work for them, but not for me. So
I am not putting anyone down, just not for me any of that.
BTDH: Do you consider yourself a solo artist or are you with a band?
AMY: I am and feel solo even with a band. A solo
artist could not make it without the band, anyway.
Everyone works as a team. I am very happy with
Jon and Skinny and they help out when available.
Joe Satriani is a band, but yet a solo artist..?
artist could not make it without the band, anyway.
Everyone works as a team. I am very happy with
Jon and Skinny and they help out when available.
Joe Satriani is a band, but yet a solo artist..?
BTDH: What female artist are you inspired by if
any?
any?
AMY: Jennifer Batten, Barbra Streisand for her
incredible voice, and Bette Milder!
incredible voice, and Bette Milder!
BTDH: Where can fans purchase your merch?
AMY: Off of the www.Amyschugar.com site or my promotions department in the UK:
www.adenapromotions.shopping.officelive.com/default.aspx.
www.adenapromotions.shopping.officelive.com/default.aspx.
BTDH: How old were you when you started playing?
AMY: Well... mmm.. I was old enough to know I wanted to play!
BTDH: What does the rest of the year 2008 hold for you?
AMY: Looks like the UK is in progress and a show on August 30th to represent my home town of AZ in
the UK near London/Manchester area. The company helping promote that show is
www.myspace.com/arizonalive. We will keep you posted on this! Mark Atkinsons is Adena promotions
and is doing a great Job and we have some help with our buddy Jay as well. Seems the team is building
and the fans have been really supportive, during the slow times for me as well and hard times. We really
appreciate this!
the UK near London/Manchester area. The company helping promote that show is
www.myspace.com/arizonalive. We will keep you posted on this! Mark Atkinsons is Adena promotions
and is doing a great Job and we have some help with our buddy Jay as well. Seems the team is building
and the fans have been really supportive, during the slow times for me as well and hard times. We really
appreciate this!
BTDH: What can fans who haven’t seen you play live expect from your show, being that it is very rare
occurrence when you do play a show?
occurrence when you do play a show?
AMY: Firstly can I just say that it is not through choice that my shows are a rare occurrence. It is difficult
as an artist, particularly a solo artist, to try to arrange shows, practice & write new material plus respond
to correspondence mail as well as handle your typical daily life duties too. I have now got a promotions
team on board to help me with this (Adena Promotions, AZ Entertainment, Mercy) and hopefully you will
see a lot more of the band over the coming months.
as an artist, particularly a solo artist, to try to arrange shows, practice & write new material plus respond
to correspondence mail as well as handle your typical daily life duties too. I have now got a promotions
team on board to help me with this (Adena Promotions, AZ Entertainment, Mercy) and hopefully you will
see a lot more of the band over the coming months.
Recent escalation of Gas Prices has also made it very difficult for me to get out as often as I would like
to...we are currently working with sponsors and indeed looking for additional sponsors to assist us.
Therefore if any of your readers/listeners are interested in sponsoring the band please do not hesitate
to get in touch and we can discuss matters...I do get a lot of mail daily so please we only want to speak
to people who are serious so no time wasters.
to...we are currently working with sponsors and indeed looking for additional sponsors to assist us.
Therefore if any of your readers/listeners are interested in sponsoring the band please do not hesitate
to get in touch and we can discuss matters...I do get a lot of mail daily so please we only want to speak
to people who are serious so no time wasters.
An audience at my shows can expect original mix of
bluesy/heavy rock played with passion & energy. I
enjoy more than anything being on stage and
performing to an audience and get such a buzz from
the audiences response to the music.
bluesy/heavy rock played with passion & energy. I
enjoy more than anything being on stage and
performing to an audience and get such a buzz from
the audiences response to the music.
BTDH: What future plans do you have in store with
your music for 2009?
your music for 2009?
AMY: First to get past 2008 with hopefully the UK in
November and then work on getting some of the new
music out. Thank you so much fot the interview! And
again, fans and people can visit us at
www.Amyschugar.com or see us at Marks site/Adena
November and then work on getting some of the new
music out. Thank you so much fot the interview! And
again, fans and people can visit us at
www.Amyschugar.com or see us at Marks site/Adena
Promotions in the UK, at: www.amyschugarofficialfanclub.web.officelive.com/default.aspx the fan club
started there.
started there.
| Before meeting up and working with Michael Schenker, Amy Schugar had been developing her skills as a songwriter, arranger, singer and guitarist. Her talent is undeniable, her energy, tenacity and never-give-up attitude have benefited many bands and collaborators in the past. |
| Interview with Amy Schugar By: Herlaka Rose |