The buxom beauty of the blues, vocalist and songwriter, Candye Kane is an inspiration to anyone who crosses her path. Moved by the likes of Big Mama Thornton and Bessie Smith, she is keeping the blues alive in a big way. Performing at a steady pace year round, you have plenty of opportunity to witness her with her band and in her stage play "The Toughest Girl Alive".

Hailing from the melting pot of Los Angeles, it is understandable that her musical history ranged from country to punk, opera to jazz , rockabilly and most bountifully, the blues. She didn’t just dabble in these genres, she made them her own. Her song Please Tell Me a Lie was featured on the compilation A Town South of Bakersfield, Part II, a compilation series that also featured rising stars Dwight Yoakum & Lucinda Williams. She studied opera for a time at USC and during her rockabilly days was a staple at L.A.'s fabled Palomino. When she took on the blues, she did it in a big way and has numerous accolades including a nomination this year for a BMA for Contemporary Blues Female Artist.

Born while her father was in jail, Candye's life reads like a blues novel. It's no wonder this is the genre in which she feels most comfortable. She's earned it. Her childhood consisted of a mother who taught her how to shoplift. She was for a time involved with gangs. She become an unwed teen mother, a pin-up girl and an adult film star. With all of that, her
biggest battle was still in front of her.

Three years ago, this month, Candye underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. Through it
all, she remained upbeat, hopeful and affirmed herself daily as being whole and healthy. What she gained from this experience can be heard in her exciting Delta Groove Records release Superhero. Songs like the gloriously triumphant title track "Hey! Toughen Up!" and "I'm Gonna Be Just Fine" are sung with her zeal for life. Her passion and extraordinary energy shine through every track.

Donning black fishnet stockings, pink frilly dresses and feathered headwear, Candye romances the room with her feminine guile. But, with all her adornments, what makes her most appealing is her earthiness, engaging smile and big beautiful...voice. 

She uses that voice offstage as well. Citizen Kane is a dedicated humanitarian. Her involvement over the last few years with United by Music has provided numerous “disabled” artists with support and encouragement. As a key artist involved in the original United by Music European tours, Candye is now actively involved with the U.S. organization. She is an outspoken representative of the “fringe” of society, whether that be those whom society considers ‘less than’ because of their disability or those whose sexuality precludes them from being accepted by the right wing “moral majority” Candye is the ‘superhero’ for the underdog and uses her success and her voice as a strong sword.

Candye allowed me the opportunity to interview her this past week, squeezing me into an open time slot between her Northern California tour, her studio recording hours and preparing for her European tour. This was our conversation...

Julie Jenkins: Tell me what was the inspiration for Super Hero?

Candye Kane: Superhero was inspired by my triumph over pancreatic cancer and my triumph over life’s challenges in general. There were songs that addressed my health victories, but also my triumph over my broken heart which coincided with my cancer struggle. I worried that Superhero might be my last CD, so I wanted it to be even more inspirational than usual.

JJ: I'd like to know about the new CD. What makes it different than the last one? When will it be released?

CK: The new CD will be released on July 19^th on the Delta Groove record label. I’m still not sure of the name yet but it’s different from Superhero, in that it is a CD being made without the heavy shadow and burden of cancer on my shoulders. I have been able this time to just write songs from my heart without any particular agenda. I also think this CD will feature Laura Chavez and her great talent since there will not be any other guitarists on it but her. We are producing it together.

JJ: How did the latest rendition of your band, Laura Chavez on guitar, Kennan Shaw on bass and Paul Fasulo on drums, come together?

CK: Laura has been with me for three years now. Kennan has been with us almost two years. Paul was with me many years ago and then quit my band to join the Mighty Flyers. It’s nice having him back. My bands are always brought together through recommendations. Sue foley recommended Laura. Kennan was recommended by some close friends of mine. Paul was with me before. It’s hard not having my son Evan in the band. He has been with us for eight years, but we were getting tired of being together all the time. I would rather have a son who is happy to see me, than a drummer who wishes I would go away. I gained a new drummer and I regained a son who loves me more. It’s a win-win situation.

JJ: When did you decide to make singing your main profession? Was there a certain event or catalyst that triggered your desire to be a singer?

CK: I was always a singer, even as a very little girl. I knew that I was destined to be a singer. I didn’t always know exactly how to make it happen but once I had sung in front of an appreciative audience, I knew I could never go back.

JJ: Which singers do you admire?

CK:Way too many to name but Kay Starr, Mildred Bailey, Etta James, Patsy Cline, Ruth Brown, Koko Taylor, Big Maybelle, Wanda Jackson, Big Mama Thornton and Bessie Smith.

JJ: Of all the awards you have won, which ones are you the most proud of?

CK: I won a Susan B. Anthony Young Feminist award for my work with the National Organization for Women. I am always most proud when my activism helps someone else.

JJ: What is your favorite part of performing live?

CK: Meeting the crowds after the show and hearing their personal stories of loss and triumph. So many people share stories of cancer with me and I feel a deep responsibility in hearing their personal stories and giving them hope.

JJ: What do you think it is that makes some people able to overcome abuse/neglect as a child and create a beautiful life?

CK: I believe everyone has the power inside them to overcome anything. We are just conditioned to believe that our strength is external - I.e. God or some other magical spiritual entity or we are conditioned to believe that a marital partner or more money will solve our problems. In addition we, in this fast food nation, want everything right now and have no patience to wait. I believe if we only look inside ourselves for strength, it is there when we need it most. We can tap into our reserves when we need it and strengthen ourselves from the inside out. It’s a practice that becomes better if we use it. It’s there, dormant, and if we never use it, we will never be successful at creating or changing our own destiny. I have very little patience for whiners and complainers and excuse makers. I believe we should roll up our sleeves and count the reasons why we can accomplish things rather than count why we cannot.