Connie: I spend a lot of time painting palm fronds and paintings. I also spend time going to my husband and
my son’s shows.
JB: Did any one person have an influence on your decision to be a musician? Who? Why?
Kana: It is my idea, but my drum teacher helped me a lot to develop my talent and his many students were
great professional drummers. They inspired me to practice more and more.
Rebecca: When my brother graduated from high school, we had a party in our back yard. There was a band
pl aying and all I remember was the guitar player ripping it up. I knew then I wanted to do that. It turns out that
he lived on the very end of my street. I bought a cheap guitar and almost every day for 4 years I went to his
house and bothered him to teach me. His name is STEVE WILLIAMS. He was wonderful and patient.
Connie: My Grandmother sang with CHARLIE BARNETT and his orchestra and encouraged me to be a musician
from an early age.
JB: Does being a woman make it harder or easier to be a musician?
Kana: Being a professional musician is hard for both women and men.
Rebecca: Through my career, it has been a little of both. For instance, in the past, I have called to audition for
a guitarist position and been told the position was filled--but yet the band still auditioned other guitarists.
Wouldn't even give me a listen. Then there were times I have got a gig because they were looking for female
talent.
Connie: I do believe it takes a lot of hard work to gain respect as a woman player. As band leader, while touring
the southeast in the 90's, my band was not taken serious until AMERISTAR CASINO entertainment director
FRANK BEATTY gave us a chance and we soared from there on. Locally we have a good reputation as players
from playing with men in other bands. For those that do not take us serious, it only takes once for them to come
and see us play live, and then all that changes as they hear us for themselves.
JB: What is your favorite venue you have ever played?
Kana: LARGO CULTURAL CENTER, LEESBURG OPERA HOUSE,
STUART FLORIDA RIVER WALK, BANANA HALL, Osaka, Japan.
Rebecca: THE FOX THEATER in Atlanta, Georgia.
Connie: I have always enjoyed playing no matter where I am.
JB: Where would you like to perform that you haven't already?
Kana: MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, CARNAGIE HALL, “Saturday
Night Live”.
Rebecca: Germany.
Connie: I would love to perform at THE GRAMMYS after one of
our songs is nominated.
JB: What is your worst experience while on stage?
Kana: I was in a band that was scouted by TELEMUNDO. We went
to Miami to play in a club for the TV producers. When the show
started, one of our vocalist went nuts. She started hitting the other
vocalist's face with her scarf and then she went into the audience
and started to lap dance. She didn't have on any underwear. The