Musicians offer woman's perspective

That's the word from some of Michigan's top female artists performing in next weekend's "A Winter's Tune" concert that spotlights new and revamped holiday tunes.

Six of the 11 featured artists in the 11th annual show are women, plus co-host Lauran Bittinger, a musician in several local bands who organizes the event with her husband, J. Oscar. So, I couldn't help but wonder whether they might have a different perspective on the music business, different experiences in plying their trade.

After all, I'm a guy who has played off and on in a rock band the past 20 years or so, and the rock scene -- though certainly changing -- still is heavily populated by guys (most of 'em in black T-shirts and torn jeans who fiddle incessantly with volume knobs on guitars and amps).

But the singer-songwriter scene has its own vibe, and the national arena boasts a multitude of formidable female stars: Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Sarah McLachlan, Lucinda Williams, Paula Cole, Jewel, Claudia Schmidt, Linda Ronstadt, Cheryl Wheeler, Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann, Dar Williams, Patty Larkin, Carole King.

These stars, by the way, were among those cited as influences by women invited to play at "A Winter's Tune."

While the local performers insisted it isn't more challenging to be a woman in the music business, they did offer noteworthy insights into their trade. Here's what some of them had to say:

• Lucy Ernst, 43, of   Grand Rapids:

"I don't personally feel that being a woman makes it harder. Sometimes, you get a feeling that you're in a boys' club, but I suppose that's just human nature. The audience never makes me feel that way. ... When I'm playing with my band, Bad Dolly, I play electric guitar (and) sometimes people seem a bit surprised that I might pull off a distorted solo. Part of me thinks it's a slight advantage because even in this modern time, people are still surprised to see a woman rock out. People love it and it has an element of surprise attack."

• Annie Capps, 46, of Chelsea:

"I think no matter who you are, it's hard to 'break in' to anything, so we're just gonna try to make our own scene. ... The singer-songwriter genre seems to be pretty evenly matched, and I guess it's safe to say that I feel like it's more about the music than my gender."

• Lauran Bittinger, 45, of Grand Rapids:

"Events like Lillith Fair and artists like Ani DiFranco have changed perspectives on women who write. Sometimes, it's easier to be accepted because a broader audience is interested in what women have to say. ... I've encountered reverse prejudice as a woman musician. It's mostly unspoken, but some guys don't expect me to be a very good musician, so they may discount me. When they hear me play, I get extra credit because I'm a woman. ... So, the prejudice works against me and in my favor at the same time. (But) I think this is changing as more young women get involved with music. We'll see more women lead players in the future because of this."

•  Dorothy Cooley, 47, of Caledonia:

"Because there are so few performing songwriters that are female, we have the opportunity to be noticed. And quite frankly, there are some very skilled songwriters and musicians that happen to be female. ... As a female, I think I tend to have more patience with the process in being involved with the music business."

• Sara Luneack, 25, of Holland:

"Each artist has their own niche and their own appropriate venues that would welcome them and their style, regardless of gender. The only difference might be that a manager/agent type might try to wow you more with their credentials, flatter you and say, 'I'm going to make you a big star,' whereas the same manager would treat guys with a total business approach. (As artists) I believe we all have different gifts and there isn't a distinction between male and female in our hearts as people."

As for me, I'm betting those gifts make "A Winter's Tune" an inspiring holiday event.

Send e-mail to the author: jsinkevics@grpress.com