Saturday, March 16, 2013

Guest Interviewer Mike Pingel Talks to Lynda Carter



It's been a year and you're back! What was the most exciting thing that has happened during that time?

The most interesting was a trip to Singapore that my husband and I went on. It was like stepping back in time. People live in bamboo huts built on stilts and they fish. They have these farms that are on a lake and have been doing this for hundreds of years. It was really interesting to be in that part of the world. It was one of those really rich experiences.

My kids are doing really well and I'm happy. You just have to cross your fingers that your friends and your family stay safe.
Right now I'm in the process of putting together a new show. I always add new material, mostly for myself. I could get away with just adding a couple of songs and switching a few things around, but I really like the process of coming up with new ways to do things and new approaches to the music, which is what I'm doing and I'm really excited about.

Is the whole musical gang back with you again?


I do have an important addition; Luis Conte, who is probably one of the three top percussionists in the world. He is really a superstar. We were backstage at the James Taylor concert talking and Luis said, "Oh God, your band is great. I wish I could play with you guys." Lou Marini and I looked at each other and we said "Well would you like to do a couple of dates?" So, if you can believe it, we are going to squeeze one more person on the stage at Catalina! Luis will also play with us at the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center.

That's going to sound great.


Yeah, I've got all these super accomplished musicians again - they are all fantastic.

Your new tour is titled, From the Heart. How did that title come about?


From the Heart is really about singing songs I want to sing. I want to share those moments with the audience, which is really thrilling for me.

Can you give me a sneak peak on your new set list?


I was just working on a new set but some of these might not end up in there. The Black Pea's "Lonely Boy," Gotye "Somebody I Used to Know," a new Sam Cooke song, Bruce Springsteen "I'm on Fire", Christina Aguilera "Candyman," and a few other surprises.

Are you releasing a new CD? 

I have not started on a new CD. 
I have to decide why I want to do it and what I want to do. Creatively, I want to figure out where that belongs. Do I really want to do another album of covers? The first CD was romantic and the other one was a little more pop.

I noticed that you were listed under country for your last album.

The first time they put me in the jazz category and the second time they put me in the country category. Why? I don't know. I don't understand it. They probably don't listen to the music; they just look to see who the producer is.


What about a Lynda Carter "Holiday" or "Live" CD?
I could.


What CD is playing in your car?

I'm listening to & singing to the songs I'm working on. I'll have Kerry Marx, the guitarist, put down a track for me without any vocals so I can work on the songs and decide if I want to do that song. I go through approximately twenty songs and narrow them down to about six new songs.


You were at the Super Bowl this year!
I was! How did you know that?


Your Facebook page. What was the highlight and how about those lights going out?

It was wild. We were in the CBS box with a lot of close friends in our group and the lights went out. That was a huge problem and I don't know what caused it. Beyoncé was fantastic and the Ravens won. I love San Francisco but I was rooting for the team closer to the home town. It was really exciting. The Super Bowl was great for the economy in New Orleans and it's one of the greatest cities. All year round, New Orleans always has great food, music and lots of stuff to see and do.

You are big on Facebook and Twitter - do you love it or hate it?

I think it's really time-consuming. I post when I'm doing things. I don't do a lot of personal stuff and I ask permission if I put on any of my friends.


Many people have asked me if you have a portrait in the attic. What are you doing to keep so youthful and gorgeous?
Do I have that portrait of Dorian Gray that ages?

Yep!

(Laughs) I love that! Yes, I have that picture and it's getting really old! (Laughs) You know, my dad is 90 and my mother lived to 89. I think we inherited good pigments in our skin and it's all hereditary. I do try to stay out of the sun - that's all I do. I do the best I can, but the sun is the most damaging thing. My father is not very wrinkly and neither was my mother. I think it's the luck of the draw. I just take good care of myself. I've seen lots of changes in the last few years. I'm much more aware of the changes on my face and neck. But hey, I don't think I'm willing to do much about it. I don't want to do anything invasive.
I was on the internet and up popped something like celebrity facelift disasters. I don't know how I got on it but I looked kind of macabre. It shocked me how many people have ruined their looks and they don't even look like the same person anymore. I just don't know if I can do it. I think the person who looks the best is Jane Fonda. When you do something to alter your face, you can't go back. I have a friend from high school who is a prominent plastic surgeon who spends most of his time fixing other peoples' botched surgeries. There is a fear factor there and I'm not willing to go down that road.

There has been all this chatter about the new CW original show, Amazon. Do you think your version of Wonder Woman and the series set the bar so high they just can't do it?


You know, I don't think so. I think they miss the point in my humble opinion. There is something so simple about Wonder Woman. There is goodness in her; a certain sweetness and loyalty. There are really human things about her that don't necessary go with the other superheroes. There is viability, comradery with other women, goodness and sweetness. There is a genuine piece of her that they miss. In character development, it is most important that you see the human being.

Do you think it's the modernizing of Wonder Woman?


It's not so much that. I think they probably should stay with the original costume. You could change the hairstyle and that kind of thing, but you need a character with humanness. No one cares about someone knocking people out. They miss the boat with what she is all about.

Lynda Carter's "From the Heart" tour continues at the Catalina Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. for two more nights, tonight, March 15 and the 16th, at 8:30 p.m. Cost: $45-55. Dinner or two-drink minimum required. Tickets are currently on sale at www.lyndacarter.com or www.ticketmaster.com.


Photo Credit: Mike Pingel

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