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A Conversation with Bettina
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American Idol Underground winner, Bettina
Family values may be a staple among the Country Music set, but when a Pop artist pens a song in tribute to her parents it tends to raise more than a few eyebrows. American Idol Underground Award winner Bettina co-wrote her chart-busting debut pop single in honor of her parents' marriage and it climbed up to #4 on the Billboard Charts. Her follow-up, the autobiographical "Cradle To The Grave," continued the positive pop trend and kicked off 2009 by hitting #9 on the charts. People Magazine profiled Bettina as one of their "New Stars We Love." After chatting with her on the phone, I think a lot of people are going to love her.
Mike Parker – You’ve already had a couple of songs hit the Billboard charts and now you’re in the studio working on your debut album, “
Bettina – It’s coming (laughs). It has been a lot of fun writing the songs and seeing them going from voice and guitar to finished tracks. It’s been a great experience. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Parker – I’m going out on a limb here and assuming “
Bettina – My favorite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz. I was watching TV in an airport while waiting for my flight. The program was a talk show and the guest was a woman. I remember she made a comment that just stuck with me. She said, ‘Just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the answer was within you all the time.’ That really resonated with me, because it is that was so true. I started writing the song “
Parker – Your songs, “She Is” and “Cradle to the Grave” both have very strong, family-affirming messages. Where does that come from?
Bettina – It comes from my life. My parents are my biggest inspiration. I come from a very grounded family background. My parents have been my biggest fans and my best support system. With all the things we are going through as a country right now, the war, the economy, the financial system melting down, it is ripping families apart. I think it is so important for families to be grounded and to hold on to each other. We have to get together better than we have. I think it’s really about those core values of what it means to be a family.
Parker – Tell me about your mom? What values did she instill in you?
Bettina – My mom is amazing. She just retired from teaching 3rd grade. But I can’t talk about my mom without talking about my dad. They are a unit. My dad was the first black graduate of the Air Force Academy, and my mom has been by his side while he accomplished things no one else had accomplished before him. My dad was recently honored at the Air Force Academy and I was able to sing the national anthem there. He gave me the confidence to know that anything is possible.
Parker – I’m going to back up just a bit, because while people may hear you on the radio and think, ‘I know that voice,’ they may not connect the dots and realize they’ve heard you as the voice of many of the iconic characters of their childhood like Rainbow Brite and My Little Pony. You’ve actually done quite a bit of voiceover work.
Bettina – It has been great. My mom is Native American and she is very spiritual. She spent a lot of time with me drumming and writing songs and singing. She really helped me get to know my own voice. When I first got into doing voiceovers it was simply a natural thing for me to create characters and jump into these fantasy worlds. I recently voiced the hippo in the
Parker – What’s the next step in your career?
Bettina – Wow, there is a lot going on. The album is coming out. There are a couple of film roles that I’m being considered for and I’m really excited about that. Mostly I’m just really excited about the new music. I can’t wait for people to hear the songs and I really want to perform the songs live and hear feedback from fans.
Parker – Last words?
Bettina – I am just really looking forward to 2009. I think there is a lot in store. I’m very hopeful.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Bettina – Water. The ocean.
2. What makes you happy?
Bettina – My dog, Duncan.
3. What makes you angry?
Bettina – Injustice.
4. What is the secret of success?
Bettina – I think the secret is in how you define success. For me it is being true to who you are and making the most of that.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Bettina – I would love to have a conversation with Jesus.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Bettina – “She gave with all her heart to those she loved.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Bettina – “Good job!”
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90210’s Brandon Michael Vayda
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