Stephanie's World - Scott Docherty
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 cheerful Scott Docherty  Artistic talents come in many flavours, and some people are blessed with a great variety to draw from. Take Scott Docherty for example. A natural musician gifted with the ability to excel on multiple instruments. A talented songwriter and lyricist. A poet. A graphic artist and web designer. With so much to draw from, it is little wonder that Scott's career in the arts has also cut a wide path. Honing his musical skills since childhood, Scott had his first song published in 1982 and since then he has worked with many notable names in the industry as a songwriter, collaberator, and musician across styles that have ranged from country through various flavours of rock and pop to opera. The result of all of this experience are songs that are beautiful and inspirational to listen to, and that draw on the emotions and experiences of a life well lived. Currently Scott is working hard collaberating with Paul Zollo on writing songs for their upcoming CDs. And perhaps that collaberation is part of the key to why Scott and his music touch me. It is not a selfish pursuit for Scott, but rather an ingrained desire to share his talents with the world through all means - including through his constant help and support of fellow artists. I can't wait to hear the finished results. This sharing of self does not stop at music either as Scott actively champions causes near to his heart. The music aside, this alone would be enough to endear him to me as there never seem to be enough people in this world willing to do more than just give lip service to causes that we all know need to be addressed if we want our world to reach it's true potential. For all of this, he has my utmost respect.  I had a chance to talk with Scott this week and he agreed to answer some questions for this week's feature. 1) Scott, many musicians describe growing up in a musical atmosphere. Was that the case for you? Well, my mother was a nurse and my dad was a police officer. Not much music. My folks were into Montovani and Frante and Teicher and Perry Como. I was mercilessly picked on in school. Red short hair, cop for a father, didn't want to fight - you get the picture. So I would lose myself in AM soul and pop music from the early 70s. My best, and only friends were my radio and my hamsters. I remember, when I was really little, probably around 1970 or so, I would take my tape recorder, record from the AM radio and play DJ in between the songs, then dance around listening to my early "Mix" tapes! I was a pioneer and didn't even know it! God, I wish I had those now! Or, maybe not ... 2) When did you first realize that you wanted to play music? My brother was taking piano lessons when I was about 6. I remember he tried so hard but just couldn't get this one song the teacher was teaching him - The Theme to Exodus. One day, my mom was so excited to hear the song finally being played perfectly from the other room. She ran in, only to find me playing it! I figured it out by ear, and just kept it up from there. Unfortunately, my parents got me a teacher who had no patience for my inability to read music (she would play an example, and I would just instantly know how to play it) that she told my folks that I couldn't be taught. So there ended piano lessons. Then, a couple years later, I learned guitar to play in one of the first guitar masses in L.A. I added drums to the mix, and up through junior high and high school played the drums. Piano came back into the picture when I was about 15 and began writing songs.I think I just wanted people to love me, and I figured early on that people love music makers. So that was my first motivation - especially since I loved music so much myself. 3) When did you know that music was what you wanted to do on a full time basis? By 16, I knew I wanted to write and play music for a living. I debuted at a songwriter's showcase at the Improvisation in Hollywood and I was hooked! I would daydream about being on stage all the time. I spent all my time outside of school (and often in school!) thinking music, listening to music and playing music. Through the years, I've done a lot of interresting things for money - commercial fishing, small business, sales, etc. - but always come back to the decision that I am meant to write and/or play music. I have had a couple of deep religious experiences which led to feeling pulled toward ministry, only to eventually come to the realization that my music IS my ministry. Not necessarily in a religious sense of the word. I mean, I am compelled and, you could say, called, to play. 4) What is your best memory or story from your musical career thus far? I have dozens of great stories! Some funny, some pathetic - ha! The best memory I have of playing was in 1997 through 1998 when I played in Kate Miner's band - Kate Miner being an unbelievably talented and passionate writer and performer, along with her husband, David Miner, who played with Leon Russell and produced one of Elvis Costello's records. During that same period, I played in the band that became Lifehouse. Jason Wade, then a mere 17 years old was amazing. Playing with him generated some of the most electrifying musical moments I've ever had on stage. I knew he would become a star. And he did.  6) What artists/bands do you think influenced your music the most? First and lastingly, Elton John. The early years, that is - the original Elton John band though about 1974. The Beatles, of course, established my love of melody and conscious lyric. I am influenced by a pretty wide span from Pink Floyd, Zep, Dead, Steely Dan and Yes to Barry Manilow and Billy Joel! I love a long list of diverse artists. I love Bowie, especially for his ability to reinvent as he ages. As a player, I want to be Elton John. As a rocker, I want to be Rick Wakeman. As a writer, I want to be Bruce Cockburn. On second thought, I think I just want to be me! 7) I've noticed on Myspace that you and your father are very close. Has he always supported your music? Hahaha! I laugh, because he is my best friend and he is the most supportive person in my life. Even though, when I was a tike, banging on everything in site with my drumsticks, he once angrily shouted "Stop it! You'll never be a musician!" Sometimes I think I've spent a lifetime trying to prove him wrong and he's spent that same lifetime trying to make up for it! I dunno - he never meant it. He always encouraged me to follow my heart and truly believed in my talent. He still does.Pretty hip of him, being on MySpace, eh?! 8) How would you say your music has evolved over the years? I think, as a player, I have grown by playing with great players. I think my songwriting has evolved too. When I started, my goal was to write hits. I went to classes and expos and workshops to learn how to write a hit song. Then, as a result of my long-time friendship with the great Paul Zollo, who has interviewed the greatest songwriters of our time, and written some incredible music himself, I have grown to want to write great songs, which aren't always necessarily hit songs. I thought I wanted to be a hit writer by the age of 21. And there are some artists - many, actually, who can do just that. But I guess I am a slow learner. I think it has taken over 30 years to really have a grasp on what I need to say with my music. I have been through a very hard life in some ways, and even surviving so much life gives me a great wealth of experience to draw from. Now, I want to make a living from my music, but more importantly, I want to touch whomever listens. 9) Are you currently working on any new projects that we could look forward to? Yes, I am writing again for the first time in several years. I have been a side musician for a long time, and have enjoyed that, but started feeling the pull to leave that aside and get back to creating. Zollo and I have reunited to write a bunch of new songs for our upcoming CDs. I am currently shopping the songs that I have on MySpace, and have a few bites, but nothing solid as of yet. I am really excited about the new stuff we're coming up with. I have a really good feeling about the future - especially this year. MySpace is facilitating a lot of this hope. I have met so many amazingly talented people on here in such a short time. And more people are listening to my stuff than ever. And I am getting really great and encouraging responses. For all the negative things that can be (rightly) said about MySpace, I think it is the most powerful thing to bring people together than I have ever seen.  10) Given the state of turmoil in the world today, do you have any opinions that you would like to share with us? Turmoil indeed. I guess I could spend hours ranting about the state of things. The war really troubles me. Bush really troubles me. Greed really troubles me. Meanness and violence troubles me. Cancer troubles me. We have to tend to our own backyards, though, I think. I mean, I can only do what I can do. There are two issues that I believe I can do something about. I can join my voice with those attempting to end AIDS and poverty in Africa. I actively support The ONE Campaign We're so wealthy in this country, and spend our money on such frivolous things, that we can cetainly afford an additional 1% in aid, as well as forgiving debts. Yeah, I know it's complicated politically, but if we can put a man on the moon, we shouldn't allow entire generations to waste away to starvation and disease. In America, we have the resourses and I believe we have the love. We just need to take the action. The other thing is animal abuse. My fiancee has over 30 animals, many of which were rescued from shelters. I am working very hard to not only support her, but also to end the terrible fur trade in China. It is a problem around the globe, including here in the U.S. But China is producing clothing and toys made from Dog, Cat and other captive animal fur at an astounding rate. And the methods are nothing short of cruel and inhumane. I feel we must raise awareness of this epidemic, boycott products from China until enough pressure is brought to end this horror. I want to believe that people are basically good and loving. I just think we need to be reminded of that sometimes. 11) Is there anything else I might have forgot to ask you that you'd like to add? I would just like to say that I love independent music! The music industry and their formulas have set them on a path away from an unbelievable well of gifted singers, songwriters and musicians. I am thankful for people like BZoO Homegrown Radio who present podcasts 24/7 of indie artists at no cost to the listener or the artist. I am thankful for anyone who supports art for art's sake - like yourself! Thank you for the opportunity for me to share some of my life and music with yourself and all of your viewers. Scott also has a really cool website with over a 1000 pics and lots of other stuff for you to check out. His site can be found here.   Scott even has his own store were you can pick up products to help support all that Scott does, in music and in art. Scott's Store Scott also has many causes that are near and dear to his heart, those links can be found on his Myspace page. I wanted to thank Scott for allowing me to feature him this week. Thanks Scott! Peace - Stephanie  | ||||||||||
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